AAT General Meeting 6th November 2022
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING
11.30am Sunday 6 November 2022
Great Lake Community Centre, Miena
Present
Gary France Chair, Howard Jones Vice Chair, Terry Byard Exec Committee, Malcolm Crosse Exec Committee, Jonathan Wadwell Exec Committee, Nick Baldock NWFA, Peter Wisniewski NWFA, Peter Coventry Devonport Anglers, Tony Wright Executive Officer.
Guests: Neil Morrow IFS
Apologies
Mark Rockliff Independent NW, Keith Symons Independent South, Wayne Bellette Tas Fly Tyers Club, Phillip Charlesworth NWFA
Minutes of last GM
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 28 August 2022 held at the Great Lake Community Centre were tabled. It was moved by Terry Byard and seconded by Peter Wisniewski that the minutes be accepted. Motion approved
Inland Fisheries Service Report
Neil Morrow addressed the meeting regarding matters from the previous minutes, current IFS matters and answered questions from the floor:
In respect of the Tyenna River rehabilitation, he advised that an MOU was being developed with the forest management company SFM and an in principle was reached to maintain a 40-metre buffer zone from water courses. He advised that the agreement would apply on forest rotations that occurred every 25 years. An exception was Junee Road Maydena where pines that had been planted are being removed and native vegetation established with an angler’s access walkway. He advised that SFM were progressive and environmentally minded. Derwent catchment group would undertake the rehabilitation work as part of the willow warriors’ program.
John Diggle will not be attending the November meeting of the Rural Water Use strategy. AAT requested that John provide either the minutes of the meeting or actions from the meeting when they became available.
Neil confirmed that AAT’s budget application had been received.
IFS had received funding for angler’s access projects including roads. Improved shore
access at Shannon Lagoon was being assessed. A development application was with the Meander Valley Council for a jetty at Huntsman’s Lake. Approval has been forthcoming to build a new boat ramp at Little Pine lagoon and its completion is expected in March April 2023. The Toom’s Lake campground had now been upgraded together with a walkway and an additional toilet.
Flood damage had occurred to the Gunn’s Marsh and Lake Augusta roads both of which were closed.
The InFish angler diary is now up and running.
The Carp and IFS Annual reports were tabled at the meeting.
The matter of Silver Plains campground was discussed Neil advised that the
Tasmanian Land Conservancy as the owner main concern was uncontrolled fire. IFS
were preparing a submission for their consideration.
Neil advised that whilst conducting licensing compliance checks the servicing of
inflatable PFD’s had become a major issue with 100% non-compliance during the current weekend. It was resolved to form a campaign to raise awareness on dealing with PFD servicing.
A sub committee had been formed to consider ecological issues associated with shallow water environments. This did not consider stocking but previous water tests, species counts and sediment tests. Neil to follow up with Rob Freeman on the availability of prior data.
Matters Arising
With the pending recovery of Lake Sorell, a review of Dago Point facilities would be undertaken by Terry Byard and Malcolm Crosse to
Representatives of AAT will not be attending Bushfest this year due to the lack of availability of attendees.
Tony is to talk to Brett Mawbey IFS concerning contact start points for the supply of fish for junior events. Peter Coventry advised that his club needed around 500 fish for events at a reasonable size.
Other Business
The financial report for the period 1 July 2022 to 31 October 2022 had previously been distributed. The report was discussed together with the matter of closing several bank accounts. Approval of the financial report was moved by Jonathan Wadwell and seconded by Peter Coventry.
Correspondence
The UTAS Survey assessing the value of the fishery was discussed in the context of advice from UTAS. Some 300 responses from 5000 surveys issued had been received. Terry Byard is to organise a meeting with Satoshi Yamazaki the associate professor of Economics to discuss the results and assess what can be done to ensure the survey has credibility and substance.
Advice had been received from the Legislative Council that they were undertaking a review of Irrigation Tasmania Pty Ltd and requested informal or written submissions from AAT. A meeting is to be held on the 29/11/2022 with an RSVP to attend by the 22/11/2022. Gary France is to talk to the Secretary of the committee to assess if AAT’s views in respect of river health in fact fits with the terms of reference for the committee. Further consideration will be given to participation dependent on that advice.
General Business
Gary France advised of the website changes that had been made regarding the code of practice in respect of fish handling.
Gary France distributed a draft web cam promotional prospectus. Discussion was held regarding major sponsors being Telstra, MAST and the central Highlands Council. Tony Wright is to draft and distribute to the executive a letter to MAST and the Central Highlands Council seeking ongoing sponsorship as had been previously provided.
Jonathan Wadwell provided an update on web cam matters, in particular Tooms Lake and Lake Burbury and the need for additional batteries. The purchase of batteries was supported.
The shallow waters project was discussed and that Hydro test results had been received. Base line data was being developed however more detailed sampling and resting needed to be done.
Adrian Hope is to be asked the current status of the objection that had been lodged in respect of the Forico wind farm regarding the position of two wind turbines at Talbots Lagoon.
Peter Coventry advised that some 500 fish of appropriate size were required for next season for their junior anglers program.
Next General Meeting is Sunday 12 February 2023 at the Great Lake Community Centre
