Susanna Freymark
Kyogle Fishing Club has received a 40-page draft licence from WaterNSW that promises a long-term agreement to come into effect from December 1.
In September WaterNSW provided the club with an interim licence that expires on November 30.
“These arrangements coincide with a broader move by WaterNSW to concentrate on core functions at Toonumbar Dam while exploring options to identify a suitable owner for unrelated on-site assets,” WaterNSW said.
This is a fancy way to say WaterNSW will not be spending money on Bells Bay or the cabins and conference centre at Toonumbar Dam that have been left to rot for decades.
WaterNSW announced its drastic cost cutting measures in May much to the surprise of Kyogle Fishing Club.
Read about the Water NSW decision here.
There is no money forthcoming from WaterNSW to help other organisations maintain the ‘assets’ around Toonumbar Dam.
To make the road down to Bells Bay Campground fire safe, it will cost Kyogle Council about $300,000 and then it will require about $10,000 a year to maintain the road, Kyogle Council said.
Fishing Club president Barry Reeves was still going through the draft licence document. He said it was all looking good.
The club will be meeting with State MP Janelle Saffin and Kyogle Council to discuss next steps.
At the Kyogle Council monthly meeting yesterday, Monday, October 13, councillor Brett McNamara asked what insights has the Kyogle Council commissioned report by the TRC Tourism provided with respect to future options for Toonumbar?
Staff are reviewing the report and will present the findings at the October councillor workshop.
The future options for Bells Bay Campground as a popular fishing are assured for at least the next five years. The future for the cabins and conference centre remains unknown at this stage.