Wallis Lake oyster leases up for auction

A public auction has been determined as the best way to bring an additional 11 oyster leases into production on Wallis Lake, near Forster.

"The auction has been decided after consultation with existing Wallis Lake oyster farmers who resoundingly chose to auction the leases rather than establish a ballot or go out to tender," said NSW Department of Primary Industries' (DPI) Manager Aquaculture, Damian Ogburn.

"A similar process occurred in the early 1980s when several other leases were auctioned.

"The auction will take place on 25 November at the Tuncurry Memorial Services Club, Strand Street, Forster."

NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, said the State Government was committed to ensuring a profitable and sustainable oyster industry continued into the future.

"The NSW oyster industry is the State's oldest and most valuable aquaculture industry with a history spanning more than 120 years, and Wallis Lake has been the largest and most productive oyster growing estuary for many years," said Mr Macdonald.

"In the 2002-2003 financial year Wallis Lake produced 2.3 million dozen Sydney rock oysters valued at $9.6 million.

"The DPI is working closely with growers to provide the scientific expertise, training and access to export markets which will be crucial to the industry's future. Research based at the Port Stephens Fisheries Centre, for example, has produced ground-breaking results in breeding faster growing Sydney Rock Oysters.

"I want to see all NSW consumers have access to fresh, locally-grown seafood and the oyster industry is an important part of that vision," said Mr Macdonald.

Mr Ogburn said the DPI has identified 11 areas on Wallis Lake regarded as good for growing oysters within current oyster farming areas, which have been used previously for oyster farming.

"An auction is the fairest way of allocating them to the industry and it also maximises the economic return to the State."

Some previously leased areas were still in a poor condition. Any new leaseholder would be required to remove any derelict materials as a condition of taking out a lease.

"Typically, an oyster lease is granted for a term of 15 years and may be renewed for a further
15 years," Mr Ogburn said.

"A lease can normally be granted within 90 days of the auction."

All available areas are needed to enhance the profitability of the Wallis Lake oyster industry and elsewhere, with the lease-auction or tender system considered the best way to allocate lease areas in future.

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