Fishing fees fund new fish cleaning table

A $15,000 fish cleaning table will be built at Coal Point after Lake Macquarie City Council successfully applied for a Recreational Fishing Trusts grant from the NSW State Government.

Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Recreational Fisheries Manager, John Diplock, said the fish cleaning table would be located at Biriban Reserve, Coal Point.

“Lake Macquarie Council applied for funding from the Trust after requests from the Coal Point Progress Association, Neighbourhood Watch and Landcare Committee for fish cleaning facilities.

“The new facility will provide a high standard facility for recreational anglers to gather together and clean fish. It will provide a spot at which fish can be cleaned in safety with an available supply of water and car parking.

“With the increasing population in the Western Lake Macquarie area, the table will no doubt become a well used community asset,” Mr Diplock said.

The Council will contribute $7,500 to the project and all work will be undertaken by them with the help of qualified staff. 

The table is expected to be built in time for the start of the summer fishing season.

Mr Diplock said anyone could apply to the Recreational Fishing Trusts for funding including fishing clubs and organisations, councils, community groups, individuals and so forth.

“All money raised by the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee is placed into the Recreational Fishing Trusts and spent on improving recreational fishing in NSW.

“These trusts are regulated by law and overseen by two committees made up of recreational fishers - one for saltwater and one for freshwater,” he said.

If you want to apply for trust funds you can find out more through the website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

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