Lions come to the aid of Lake Macquarie fishers

The Lions Club of Gwandalaan in the southern Lake Macquarie area has come to the aid of the local fishing fraternity to help construct fish cleaning tables with a grant from the Saltwater Recreational Fishing Trust.

The Trust has provided $5,000 towards the $10,812 cost of the project, which has the support of the Wyong Shire Council.

“The site for the fish cleaning table is the prime boat launching ramp for the Gwandalaan/Southern Lake Macquarie areas,” said NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries Manager Max Withnell.

“The adjacent facilities such as toilets, barbecue and picnic areas are used by two local fishing clubs and other anglers.

“The one facility lacking for the area was an effective fish cleaning table.”

The Lions Club came to the rescue and obtained plans and specifications from the Wyong Council for similar fish cleaning facilities elsewhere in the shire.

Mr Withnell said the Lions Club members have undertaken the brickwork and timber pergola construction with supervision from a licenced builder.

The Saltwater Recreational Fishing Trust provides funds from licence fees collected from fishers to improve fishing opportunities and facilities.

Mr Withnell said ­the Gwandalaan project was a good example of recreational fisher fees at work and was one of hundreds across the State assisted by the funds.

“All money raised by the NSW recreational fishing licence is placed into saltwater and freshwater trusts overseen by fisher representatives and used to improve recreational fishing,” said Mr Withnell.

“Funding for this project comes from the Recreational Fishing Trust’s Small Grants Program. Under the program, community groups are invited to apply for grants of up to $5,000 on a matching dollar-for-dollar basis.”

Media contact: Howard Spencer 02 6656 8800 or mobile 0428 696 672