WA’S recreational fishing lobby Recfishwest says it has been caught out by the State Government approval of a new Mosman’s Restaurant at a popular fishing spot in Mosman Park.
Environment Minister Stephen Dawson recently gave the nod to Dome Group chief executive Nigel Oakley’s proposal to demolish the restaurant and replace it with a two-storey restaurant-café, function centre and 36 short-stay apartments.
“Recfishwest is not familiar with this proposal, we were not consulted by either the proponent or the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, and we can’t see how the needs of the recreational fishing community have been assessed,” Recfishwest executive director Andrew Roland said.
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READ NOWDr Rowland said the immediate foreshore and neighbouring public jetty was popular for crabbing, fishing and diving for prawns, and because of depth was one of few accessible spots to fish for mulloway.
He said while the approval’s 28 conditions appeared to consider environmental impact, none related to protecting fishing or public access.
The department’s report said “extensive consultation” had occurred, but Dr Rowland said it did not mention protecting fishing and a new jetty in the redevelopment should be open “24/7” for fishers of all abilities.
A Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions spokesman said “many opportunities” to comment included daily and suburban newspaper advertising before September 2017, Mosman Park council consultation and advertisement of the department’s draft report.
The spokesman said Mr Oakley was required to order a dive survey of the existing piles and jetty to determine if species will be impacted, and have a construction and environment management plan.
He said fishing could continue during construction at the existing public jetty, but the new jetty would close at 10pm for safety because it was entered from the café.