This has not been the council’s practice in the past, as evidenced by the five-year licence extensions for the Huntfest event (2013 & 2016) on Crown Land.

The reason for this variation cannot be due to the commercial nature of the Jetski hire proposal, as council has informed me, in writing, that they consider Huntfest to be a commercial activity, even though it is run by a not-for-profit Incorporated Association.

In addition, the council’s Code of Practice for Licencing of Public Reserves, makes no distinction between the two – commercial or not for profit.

In fact, this code omits any requirement for consultation in relation to licence approvals on Crown Land, whether it is “for the purpose of conducting events, markets or commercial operations”.

The stated purpose of the council’s Code for Licencing is to, “establish a consistent and fair framework,” when dealing with licence approvals. So where is the consistency and fairness in seeking submissions in regard to the licencing of one activity and not another?

I would welcome an explanation.

I would like to encourage communities to play a role to ensure NSW remains free of White Spot.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries is working to minimise the spread of White Spot, which was detected in prawns in South East Queensland in December.

White Spot is a highly contagious viral disease of crustaceans, primarily prawns, but also crabs, lobsters and freshwater crayfish, as well as marine worms.

There are three things communities should know: NSW seafood remains safe to consume; do not use prawns intended for human consumption as bait in any NSW waters; obey the ban on importation from the affected area in Queensland of prawns, nippers, yabbies and other crustaceans or marine worms to prevent White Spot Disease being introduced into NSW.

So far there has been no evidence of White Spot in NSW and we are doing everything possible to keep it that way, but we need the community’s help.

We have a new Biosecurity Act in place where all members of the community have a general biosecurity duty to consider how actions could have a negative impact on another person, business, animal or the environment.

We need everyone to play a role to ensure White Spot does not enter our state. For more information about White Spot, visit DPI’s website.

Dr Christine Middlemiss

DPI Chief Veterinary Officer

The Stronger Country Communities Fund has $200 million to invest in projects chosen by communities. 

The fund uses ‘choice-modelling’ to build the projects that communities want. This is an exciting opportunity for residents to have their say on local amenities, and then see them get built over the next two years, ultimately improving the lives of people in the community.

The fund is intended to support the refurbishment or development of new or existing community facilities including libraries, parks, walking and cycle pathways, health centres, halls and playgrounds.

Visit www.industry.nsw.gov.au

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro