Susanna Freymark
“Your voice is your power,” Kyogle mayor Danielle Mulholland said at a meeting organised by the Kyogle Fishing Club yesterday, Monday, May 26 .
More than 50 people were at the Kyogle Bowling Club to discuss the imminent closure of Bells Bay campground at Toonumbar Dam.
Fishing club president Barry Reeves said WaterNSW had given four weeks’ notice on the closure of the popular fishing and camping spot at Bells Bay.
Ms Mulholland said the council was disappointed that WaterNSW was choosing to close the site.
“However, we understand the need for the site to be upgraded and made safe for the public,” she said.
State MP Janelle Saffin said the announced closure is caused by long-term neglect.
“As the local MP I have to say that I am very disappointed,” Ms Saffin said.
“Giving four weeks’ notice is not good enough. Give Kyogle Council time to work on a plan.”
Fisher Jack Langdon said he’s been fishing at Toonumbar Dam for 27 years.
“We contacted WaterNSW about no electricity in the caretaker’s cottage (used by the fishing club),” he said.
“There is a culvert that is dangerous and could fail and there’s a tree branch that needs to be removed.”
The fishing club thought it was doing the right thing by letting WaterNSW know about these issues.
“They came back and said there’s no money to fix these issues,” Mr Langdon said.
WaterNSW deemed it unsafe and said it will close Bells Bay.
“In the 50 years (of using the site) there has never been a safety related issue out there,” Mr Langdon said.
Deputy mayor John Burley said there should be a long term vision for this project.
“This is a jewel in the Kyogle tourism area,” he said.
“The government is saying mental health is a big issue. There is no better thing for men than to go fishing and camping.”
On May 23, the State Government announced $1.4 million to enhance men’s mental health and prevent suicides, with expanded funding for 34 grassroots organisations.
IndyNR.com has twice contacted Minister Rose Jackson whose portfolio includes Water and Mental Health to ask about the Bells Bay closure.
Her office referred us to WaterNSW. We have not received a statement from Ms Jackson.
We asked Water NSW if closures were happening at other dam sites. They said they were unable to get further information to us until tomorrow, May 28.
The campground isn’t the only issue. At the entrance to Toonumbar Dam is a set of buildings that have been used as a retreat but are now abandoned and rundown. These cabins are so ruined it is likely they will need to be knocked down.
A grant of $600,000 from WaterNSW was promised to Kyogle Council to do up the site. Council could then offer it for sale or lease it to someone to operate the Toonumbar Waters Retreat.
At the meeting, Ms Mulholland said that funding has now been taken back.
“They’ve decided to close up shop,” she said.
Ms Mulholland said she was going to Sydney to meet with Minister Jackson and she would also ask Ms Saffin to liaise with the minister.
I will advocate for a 12-month transition phase to allow the council to discuss this, Ms Mulholland said.
The issue would be discussed at the next Kyogle Council meeting on June 9.
“The money (from WaterNSW) was not transferred to council. This new policy is to dispose of Toonumbar Waters Retreat,” she said.
A man at the meeting asked if the council could buy Bells Bay campground.
Ms Mulholland said there was nothing stopping the fishing club taking it on if WaterNSW agrees.
Who would be interested in this? Ms Mulholland asked the crowd.
Hands went up. The fishing club has spent much of the money it has raised on fixing the road and campsite in the past.
A woman said WaterNSW was in breach of its tenancy contract.
Fishing club president Barry Reeves said the club only had a month-by-month lease on the campground and the caretaker’s cottage.
Ms Mulholland urged the club members to act.
“I will do the best I can and report back to the fishing club,” she said.
She asked them to wait until she returned from her Sydney negotiations before doing a media blitz.
Mr Burley said the closure would impact the whole community not just the fishing club members.
“Everyone needs to stand up,” he said.
Kyogle Fishing Club has an online petition to sign here.
Mr Reeves has written to Premier Chris Minns about it.
IndyNR.com will continue to advocate for this because it matters to the community.