http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2012/0 ... style.html

It's a great area, quite a lot of water to fish and some great camping spots.

_________________

Hi

What's been in the news lately is not the formal declaration of the Limmen National Park nor the Limmen Marine Park.

Take the time to read the actual proposal and not the media's version.

Under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act,the NT Administrator can only declare a park after considering a report by the Parks Commission. Its called a Section 14(1) Report.(that's because the requirement on the Commission is sec 14 of the Act).

The Commission must make public its intention to send a Sec 14 report to the Administrator. It has to do that by publishing the declaration in the NT Govt Gazette. It must invite submissions for consideration to be received no later than 60 days after the date of the gazette notice. It can be longer than 60 days but can't be shorter. I see that they've nominated 18th May as closing date for submissions. That date will only be relevant if the notice appears in the NT Gazette by Tuesday 20th March. If not, the clock restarts when it does appear. Considering that the gazette is published on Wednesdays, they might be in a bit of trouble already unless they publish a special gazette just for it.

The commission must consider those submissions and send them (along with its comments on them) to the Administrator. The Administrator will then consider the report. Following consideration, the Administrator may make a declaration under Sec 12 of the Act establishing the park/s.

Attached is the Sect 14 report (plus attachments) for public consideration.

We're looking at 60 days (2 months) before it even gets anywhere near the Administrator.

Take the time to read the attached.

There are exclusions withinin the park regarding mining tenements and associated activities.

There are also areas not in the park which people will automatically think are affected (eg Kangaroo Is camping area, prawn farm area, Port Roper etc.) Look at the 2 maps.

Hello all

Nothing about a Section 14 notice in NT Government Gazettes from No g9 to NoG13 (31 March).

So the 60 day clock still hasn't started and the 18th May deadline for comment has now stretched out to early June.

If somebody would be good enough to recheck those gazettes please. Maybe I just missed it!

Hello all

They issued a special 1 off gazette especially for the Section 14 notice and bypassed the usual gazette notices.

Comments closed on the first stage of the proposals on 18th May.

Hope u all put your 2 bob's worth in.

We did as below:

From: Farbotko, Edward [mailto:eafarbot@bechtel.com]
Sent: Friday, 18 May 2012 2:40 PM
To: Parkplanning NRETAS
Cc:
ronje1@optusnet.com.au; Lester, Mitch
Subject: Park Declaration - Consultation for Proposed Limmen National Park

Dear Sir,
I am writing in respect of the proposed Limmen National Park, in particular, the
camping area at Tomato Island (Munbililla) and areas east toward Port Roper.
We are a group of amateur fishermen based in Queensland who have been visiting the Roper
River annually over the past 7 years. In recent times we have had some association with the
Amateur Fishermen's Association NT (AFANT) actively participating in a tagging program
of Barramundi in the Roper. Our last visit saw the group tag and document approximately 750
barramundi for AFANT.

Our group comprises a base average of 12 from Central Queensland with others joining us from
Darwin and other parts of the Northern Territory and Queensland swelling numbers to in
excess of 20 at times. The group normally camps at the Tomato Island camping area and uses
the existing ramp to access the full reach of the river as well as other adjoining rivers
such as the Phelps.
As a consequence we use a significant amount of fuel which we currently organise in 205
litre drums delivered to the camp site.

The following is a brief list of our concerns, queries and comments on the proposed park
which we would like to have addressed by the Park planning and Northern Territory Government
responsible for the proposed changes.


1. The 2 bush camping areas allocated in the park, especially considering the large
size of this park is inadequate. There should be at least 2 in the Roper River / St
Vidgeon's portion alone. A suggestion being one at the existing Mountain Creek camping
site and the other further downstream. Additional areas away from the river should also be
considered.

2. We do not have confidence that campsite security can be provided by the proposed
management arrangements to a standard acceptable to campers and visitors.

3. We do not have confidence that campsite will be maintained to an acceptable standard
to visitors who will be now paying for the service and privilege to camp there.

4. A commercial campsite such as the Tomato Island (Munbililla) site should have fuel
available (diesel and premium unleaded petrol as a minimum) on a commercial basis or at
least have some arrangement for fuel to be made available and stored, considering the size
of the park and the fishing and 4WD interest in the area. As an interim measure, the
existing fuel arrangement (perhaps with some modification) should be continued.

5. What will be the protocol for use of generators at the campground. The use of
generators is now becoming a critical part of camping and caravans etc.

6. What is the plan for the existing ANZAC memorial / monument at the Tomato Island
campground? This has been become a part of history of the area.

7. We are concerned about the limitation of longer stay areas. We normally do not stay
longer than 2 to 3 weeks, but any limitation will impact many visitors to the area.

8. Has there been any consideration for expansion of the camp ground? This is not an
issue if additional camp grounds or basic camp sites are provided, but the Tomato Island
(Munbililla) site appears limited with only a single ablution block.

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to your response.


Regards,

Ed Farbotko

This month we received this reply:

Hi Ed, Mitch and Ron,

Please find attached my response to your submission on the Declaration of Limmen National
Park.

Regards
Bill Panton
Senior Indigenous Engagement Officer
Parks and Wildlife Service of the NT
Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport
Goyder Building Level 2
(08)8999 4477 (ph)
(08) 8999 4558 (fax)
040 967 3207 (mob)

Mitch and I had also put in our views which were along the same lines as Ed's (except for the premium fuel. We asked for OPAL stuff.)

Attached is the document Bill Panton referred to.

The issues we raised and others put up by people interested in commenting will be taken into account in the Management Plan.

They'll produce a draft management plan now and put it out for comment supposedly with consultation.

Have your say on the management plan.

At least you got a response Ronje even if it appears some what like lip service.

Will keep an eye out for the draft

U're righr Pagey

It looks like a standard acknowledgement. Management plan probably already done.

Makes u wonder how many submissions they received when they're on first name terms with submitters.

Was thinking the same thing after replying Ronje. Couldnt be too many if they are taking the time to personalise it.

Time will tell i guess as to what the implications will be. On a positive note i guess it is an election year so that may have some bearing on the overall details noting the known voting mass in the NT of fisho's, or maybe they will wait until its all done and dusted prior to releasing the final details

Balou has a link to the latest statement by govt on the patk.

Now comes the management plan.

HOWEVER, 2 things have cropped up>>>>

Firstly the latest government statement (this week) takes Maria Island OUT of the marine park and plonked it into the mainland park.

Secondly, reports are that the mining company (Sherwin Mining) is proceeding with maritime survey work down at the mouth of the Roper from prawn farm gown.

Now the NT govt must know Sherwin Mining is doing that.

I smell an adjustment to the exclusion arrangements for the mine's operation coming up.

Anybody heard anything?

Limmen Bight Marine Reserves
The NT Government declared both the Limmen National Park and Limmen Bight Marine Park
on Tuesday 16th July 2012. The Northern Territory Seafood Council will be meeting with
representatives of the Department of NRETAS in the coming weeks to have input into the
guiding principles and process for the development of the management plan.
Commercial operations can continue within the marine park until the management plan is
finalised. The Northern Territory Seafood Council will be working with Government to ensure
appropriate representation and opportunity for industry to have input into the development
of the management plan. A draft management plan is expected to be released in mid 2013
for public comment.
Further information on the proposed marine parks is available from:
www.nretas.nt.gov.au/national-parks-and ... arine-park

Thanks Redfin

News I was looking for was:

. When any changes were to be implemented?

This fact sheet indicates that that there won't be a draft management plan for comment until mid-2013 which suits me; and

. Possible changes to the park (already)I

This flags changes down near the mouth but not specifically anything I believe Sherwin mining is involved in.

A distance to go yet with this.

Looks like maybe we might fit in one last Roper trip.

No worries ronje

I will keep you informed on here of any news as it happens on this issue.

The problem is - Commercial and recreational fishermen are not singing off the same song sheet on this issue. Its about time commercial and recreational fishers got together on an issue as big as this one and many other issues we all face.

In 1997 Commercial fishermen and AFANT signed a joint statement and actually stopped a government from bringing in some changes. It was the first time in the history of australian fishing that this was done. Yes it worked and worked very quickly. politicians soon realised the power of "I FISH, I VOTE"

I’ve been following this story with interest for a while, I too have an annual trip to the Roper which I enjoy very much and would hate to see affected in any way by this development.

I have to say that in general I support the new changes for the following reasons. When I first saw the campsite at Tomato Island I was impressed with the rough nature of it but the thought of all those grey nomads crapping in the bush all around the camp for an entire dry season was a nasty thought.

I did think to myself that an enviro drop dunny would be the go even if it did cost a few dollars per night. The second concern was the permanent humpy set up the Mayor of the Roper has constructed there at the camp with 44 gallon drums spread from ahole to breakfast around the place. Now before anyone flies off their handle Bruce is a top bloke, nothing against him personally but his set up is an eyesore.

I don’t see how the campsite will be any less maintained if the campsite is run by parks?? It is not maintained as it is – you have to take a mower or whipper-snipper to clear a bit spear grass and hope that there are no nomad landmines laying about for you to skid over.

Security – what security? There is currently none and why would there be, it’s a bush camp. I respect again that Bruce looks out for the camp but you can’t seriously tell me that if a permanent kiosk and campsite manager are installed there will be LESS security? No credence in that argument at all.

I agree that the campsite should be bigger with forethought on expansion and fuel should be available. I am sure that, like every park in the territory, there will be generator and non-generator areas.

I agree that the ANZAC memorial should stay where it is, it means a lot to many people there and the dawn service there is awesome.

On longer stay limitations – no one likes squatters, it’s been a haven for grey nomads enjoying a free stay for a long time, and if they want to stay they will have to pay.

All in all, good job I say the dunnys are welcome as are the showers, car parks, solar hot water, fish cleaning table, proper rubbish disposal and cleared mown camps. I’ll be happy to pay for that and see the joint cleaned up a bit and the environment around there looked after a bit better.

Agree with everything Dirtyruiz has said.

If fuel availability is OK then I only have a problem with the security. No objection to anything else.

Security isn't a problem at the moment. Not because of who's there as a deterrent.

But because who's not there.

The proposal is for the Ngukurr community to manage the commercial park. That's when the security concerns start.

I've seen it a couple of times already. Some workers at Ngukurr storing alcohol in a tent then inviting friends from the community over to party. Intra-party fights. Daytime visitors from Ngukurr going to the alcohol storage tent and hanging around. Stuff starting to go missing from campsites.

On another occasion, 3 community people sent over to do contract daytime work in slashing etc running around with large sticks to bash any whitey they came across. They learned not to take sticks to a gunfight.

I don't see how that will improve if they're placed in charge of managing the park. Simple as that.

Rest of it I don't have any problem with. We already budget $1500 per person per trip so an extra hundred or 2 $ is neither here nor there.

If management is as proposed then I guess a lot of people on this forum will be pleased that at least 1 group of fishing visitors will be giving the Roper a miss.