Petition to halt Marine Park
Photo: Colin de Grussa MLC
SHADOW Fisheries minister Colin de Grussa tabled a petition in the WA Parliament calling for the current South Coast Marine Park process to be halted.
Munglinup farmer Max Szulc initiated the petition which has 5,860 signatories.
It is asking for a parliamentary inquiry into whether the WA Government has adhered to the relevant statutory requirements, the extent of influence wielded by external lobby groups on the planning process and the scientific and socio-economic data and research that underpin the Indicative Management Plans for the four proposed marine parks.
Post-match footy brawl
IN a dramatic turn of events after a footy game in Esperance, what began as a heated verbal exchange between two players escalated into a violent brawl that saw a man hospitalised with severe injuries after he attempted to diffuse the situation.
Police said Esperance Detectives were investigating the incident that occurred on Saturday after the game at Ports home ground.
They said a verbal exchange occurred between two players from Ports and Esperance during the senior game.
“At approximately 4.25pm and following the conclusion of the game, one of the involved players was walking to his car at the rear of the football club when approached by the same player and others from the opposing team,” the officer said.
“A further verbal altercation occurred and quickly escalated into a physical confrontation.”
They said a man in his thirties attempted to intervene and diffuse the situation and was “set upon” by multiple people, subsequently receiving treatment in hospital for concussion and lacerations to his head and face.
New marina for yachties
ESPERANCE boat owners and emergency services can now use a new marina near Taylor Street Jetty which can accommodate 54 boats.
Esperance Bay Yacht Club commodore Stewart Wallace said the new marina took five years to come to fruition, as it was officially opened on Saturday.
“We have a cruise ship berth here as well, there are fast attack jet skis parked there, and emergency services can also come in and berth here,” he said.
Mr Wallace said the funding for the marina came from the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions fund.
“We applied two or three years ago; the Club put in $750,000, while the Federal Government stumped up the balance of $2.78 million,” he said.
New tugboat in Esperance Fleet
MACKENZIE Marine and Towage is set to enhance its operations at the Port of Esperance with the arrival of a new tugboat in March 2025.
Managing director Sean Mackenzie said the Tagon, named after one of the most spectacular parts of the Esperance coastline, was to join a fleet that includes Lillian Mac, Hellfire Bay, Shoal Cape, and Cape Pasley.
He said the $10 million vessel boasted a 70-tonne bollard pull, a free-running speed of 12 knots, and advanced emission-reducing technology, making it one of the few Australian tugboats meeting IMO Tier 3 standards.
Mr Mackenzie said Damen Shipyards built the Tagon in Song Cam shipyard, Vietnam.
He said the Dutch shipbuilders had previously supplied Mackenzie Marine and Towage four tugs.
Mr Mackenzie emphasised the company’s commitment to innovation and community, highlighting the vessel’s ability to enhance operational efficiency and environmental safety.
Wire trace ban delayed
ESPERANCE Shire is yet to decide on a wire trace fishing ban from Esperance Jetty.
After some discussion, councillors voted to defer a motion to seek the ban last week.
They had been considering asking WA Fisheries minister Don Punch for the ban when Cr Steve McMullen successfully moved to “lay the motion on the table” so they could seek clarification before this month’s meeting.
Anglers use wire traces when fishing for larger sharks, and the ban is being considered because shark fishing from beaches is said to attract more sharks.
Shire CEO Shane Burge said fishing for sharks in this key recreational coastal area was considered incompatible with community values, and importantly community safety.
Bankwest workers ‘fed up’
BANKWEST workers have called on their parent company to commit to no further job cuts after being “fed up with being at constant risk of losing their jobs” in WA, a finance union spokesperson says.
Jason Hall of Finance Sector Union said this was after the Commonwealth Bank of Australia decided to close Bankwest’s entire branch and ATM network in WA by October this year, costing 350 jobs.
He said Bankwest workers were also calling for fair pay increases and other improvements to work conditions including flexible working arrangements, progressive leave entitlements and improved consultation rights.
Mr Hall said Bankwest workers “have had enough of CBA’s empty promises”.
“When CBA closed the entire Bankwest branch and ATM network, it committed to redirecting 500 much-needed roles to WA,” he said.
“But in reality, CBA has cut over 280 jobs from WA since September 2022, including another 12 roles slashed just this week.
