18 December 2006

Community wants changes to management of fishing off the pier

Preliminary results of the New Brighton Pier consultation show nearly 300 submissions were received.

An early analysis the 280 submission forms received indicates that most submitters support the continuation of fishing off the pier, however they want better management of it. The option most favoured by submitters was Option 2, increased enforcement and communication, which was chosen by 89 submitters (representing nearly a third of submissions received).

The option least favoured (7% of submissions) was Option 1, continuation of the status quo, whereby fishing is largely unrestricted and there is limited enforcement of the rules. Banning fishing off the pier (Option 4) was chosen by 84 submitters or 30%.

A breakdown of the number of submitters preferring each option is as follows:
Option 1 (no changes) - 19 submissions, or 7%
Option 2 (Increased enforcement and communication) - 89 submissions, or 32%
Option 3 (Restricted fishing) - 42 submissions, or 15%
Option 4 (Total ban on fishing) - 84 submissions, or 30%
Option 5 (Structural addition to the pier) - 50 submissions, or 18%

Rodney Chambers, Council Coastal Parks Area Head Ranger, says that the community’s high level of interest in the pier is reflected in the number of submissions received, and the comprehensive feedback provided.

“The Council will now analyse the submissions in more detail. We will get a better grip on the problems associated with fishing off the pier, and a clearer indication of how people want us to address those problems. The feedback from the community contains some good suggestions for the Council to consider”.

Early in 2007 the Council will consider the feedback received from the community, including the 280 submissions, when it makes a decision on how to manage fishing off the pier in the future.

The Council decided to address the problems associated with fishing off the pier after numerous complaints were received from members of the public about inconsiderate and sometimes unacceptable behaviour by some people who fish off it.

The public consultation on how the Council could manage fishing off the pier ran for just over four weeks, closing on Friday 8 December.

ENDS

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