Peter Rundle MLA at the Bremer bay fishing boat harbour. Photo: supplied
The WA Nationals have promised to launch a special inquiry into the selection of all new WA marine parks and possibly scrap the South Coast Marine Park if elected to Government in May.
Peter Rundle MLA said the Nationals in Government would “go back to the drawing board” on the South Coast Marine Park.
He said they would be prioritising consultation with locals, requesting scientific evidence of impacted zones be released, and calling for reduced sanctuary zones that do not put commercial fishers out of business.
“If that balance cannot be met, The Nationals WA will scrap the South Coast Marine Park and focus on protecting coastal areas in WA that are genuinely under threat from over-fishing and high human impact, backed up by strong scientific evidence,” he said.
“A Special Inquiry into the selection and implementation of Marine Parks in WA will reveal whether the Cook Labor Government adhered to statutory requirements, the extent of influence wielded by external lobby groups on the planning process, and the scientific and socio-economic data and research.
“Any Marine Park selected under The Nationals WA government will be based on current scientific evidence alongside balanced community, business and industry consultation.”
Earlier this year Colin de Grussa MLC presented a 5,860-signature petition from Munglinup farmer Max Szulc to the WA Parliament calling for the South Coast Marine Park to be halted, and for a parliamentary inquiry to commence.
Mr Rundle called for “more transparency” in the selection of WA Marine Parks.
“The Cook Government’s final zoning plans for the South Coast Marine Park will ban fishing in 20 percent of the park and limit access for recreational fishers, locals and visitors,” Mr Rundle said.
“To lock up 1,200 kilometres of coastline and ban fishing in 20 per cent of the marine park between Bremer Bay and the South Australian border is nothing short of a box ticking exercise by the Cook Labor Government to meet an election promise.”
Mr Rundle also noted the disparity in the Cook Government’s approach to the South Coast Marine Park compared to the proposed Marmion Marine Park, which remains stalled.
“The Cook Labor Government is delaying announcing the Marmion Marine Park to avoid backlash from voters in metropolitan areas ahead of the 2025 State Election,” he said.
“The South Coast Marine Park is equivalent to locking up the entire coast from Margaret River to Shark Bay.
“Decisions like this should be based on science and consultation, not politics.”
Mr Rundle the WA Government was making the life of regional business people and citizens difficult.
“This is part of what I call the assault on the regions by the current state Labor Government and whether it’s fishing farming, forestry, firearms, marine parks, the list goes on,” he said.
