AAT General Meeting Aug 2020

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING

10am Sunday 23 Aug 2020

The Grange, Campbell Town   

Present

Gary France Chair, Terry Byard Vice Chair, Howard Jones Exec Committee, Alan Gordon Break O’ Day Sports Anglers , Malcolm Crosse Exec Committee, John Broomby  Northern Clubs, Wayne Bellette Tas Fly Tyers Club, Jonathan Wadwell  STLAA Delegate, Brett Smith Independent Northwest, Keith Symons Independent South, Denis Edwards Exec Officer, John Diggle IFS

Apologies

Michael Caminada, Adrian Hope, Mark Rockliff, Christopher Cohen

IFS Report

John Diggle reported that the IFS Report will no longer be produced in a hard copy format and all information is now available on the IFS website under “News”

Items discussed included

·      Opening of the trout season was very successful

·      $10,000 prize is available for capture of five tagged trout in Great Lake, Arthurs Lake,  Lake Burbury, Lake Rowallan and Lake Pedder

·      License sales are up

·      Angling Code will is being mailed out

·      The Junior angling program is in need of assessment and should be workshopped by AAT/IFS

·      Decline of NW rivers is being studied by IFS

·      Climate change is affecting the fishery but the recent rains have been timely especially in the east. The present El Nina outlook is providing good expectations for the rest of the season  

·      Stocking programs are available on the IFS website

Minutes of the previous meeting and matters arising

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 1 March2020 at the Great Lake Community Centre were tabled

Matters Arising

·       Brumbys Creek to be removed from AAT website

·       Jonah Bay phone reception questioned

·       Patricks Plains Windfarm is a result of a very poor planning process and should have sensitive no go locations prior to submissions being received

T Byard moved that the minutes be accepted. Seconded : A Gordon

River Health

A paper by Howard Jones on the “Demise of the Break O’Day River” was tabled and is a foretaste of things to come if action is not taken by the responsible government departments.

It is especially pertinent to the current DPIPWE Rural Water Use Strategy (AAT’S response is  tabled in Correspondence) as well as the current DPIPWE Water Management Review of the Mersey River.

H Jones has compiled a contact list of individuals and like- minded groups to enable responses and seek publicity opportunities as concerns arise.T Byard suggested that a broader approach including clubs and the public should be considered.

Howard projected a bug health map of Tasmanian streams compiled by Waterbug Blitz (www.waterbugblitz.org.au) which made for enlightening if somewhat disturbing viewing.

J Diggle reported that there have been a number of complaints of decline of water quality in some streams in the north west and that IFS will investigate the causes.

It was suggested that John Gooderham of Waterbug Blitz be invited to the next AAT GM.

Ozfish

G France reported that discussions on Tasmanian involvement with OzFish are still under way

Junior Angling

It is planned to still run Junior Angling/Gone Fishing Day in Tasmania although this event may not get up in some mainland states due to the Covid 19 situation.

Fish numbers to be followed up with M Rockliff.

As discussed in the IFS Report the Junior Angler program is in need of assessment and should be workshopped with the IFS.

Webcams

M Crosse has enlisted the help of J Wadwell and G France to remove the Brumbys Creek webcam to Lake Leake and will relocate the Arthurs webcam to overlook the Cowpaddock and Sevenpound Bay . Two more webcams are under consideration for Tooms Lake and Lake Pedder.

Sponsorship was discussed and a marketing package for sponsors into the future was

suggested.

Telstra’s expectations of the use of AAT’s Facebook page to be worked on.

Little Pine boating markers

T Byard and N Morrow have replaced the buoys that designated the no outboard zone with vertical white markers on the shore. This will eliminate the need to relocate buoys that are moved out of position by winter ice.

Lake Sorell/Crescent WMP Review

T Byard and H Jones reported that the draft WMP is due shortly and AAT will comment on its release.

Mersey River WMP Review

J Broomby reported that only one scoping meeting has been held and there is little to report.

Correspondence/Submissions

The following were tabled and discussed :

·      Rural Water Use Strategy    

·      Dunedin Composting Facility   

·      Tourism Master Plan submission   

·      Parks TWWHA Fire Management Review 

·      Lower Gordon River Recreation Zone Plan 

·      Lake Lea boating regulations

·      St Clair Lagoon access and Tyenna erosion updates 

·      Hydro Signage 

·      Hydro recreation and visitor survey

·      River Leven proposed STT logging – AAT letter of support to Jason Whitehead

General Business

·      A Gordon reported that the approaches to the Little Pine bridge below the weir are in poor condition

·      A Gordon had a query on Club Insurance – copy of policy to be forwarded to Alan

Action list

·      email Telstra on Fascebook expectations

·      Junior Anglers program to be reviewed

·      Invite John Gooderham from Waterbug Blitz to the next GM

·      Develop a marketing package to attract future sponsors

·      STT Leven logging – letter of support to Jason Whitehead