Concerns have been raised over the future of the Grafton Aquaculture Centre after the NSW Government was pressed to rule out any downgrade or closure of the facility.
NSW Nationals Member for Clarence Richie Williamson has called on the State Government to guarantee the centre, based at the Grafton Primary Industries Institute, will remain fully operational.
Williamson said concerns had increased after Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty was asked in the NSW Legislative Council this week to rule out plans to downgrade or close the facility.
He said the Minister was given two opportunities to address the issue but did not provide the guarantee he was seeking.
“The Minister had a very simple opportunity to put these concerns to bed and rule out any downgrade or closure of the Grafton Aquaculture Centre, but sadly the Minister refused to do that, this now looks like the Labor Government has the centre in its sights” Williamson said.
“If the Government has no plans to downgrade or close the centre, then why on earth won’t the Minister simply say so?
“Once again, I am calling on the Minns Labor Government to come clean and give the people of the Clarence a clear guarantee that the Grafton Aquaculture Centre will remain fully operational.”
The Grafton Aquaculture Centre operates as a threatened species production facility, undertaking conservation aquaculture and fisheries research for northern NSW and supporting programs elsewhere in the state during major drought events.
Williamson said the centre’s work had contributed to the long-term conservation and sustainability of native fish species.
“The scientists and support staff at Grafton undertake incredibly important work for our waterways, our native fish populations and the broader environment,” he said. “The centre has carried out vital research and conservation programs involving species including Eastern Freshwater Cod, it also plays an important role in the ongrowing of Australian Bass for recreational fishing restocking programs across northern NSW.
“This is specialist scientific capability that has been built up over many years. Once you lose that expertise and infrastructure from a regional community, it is very difficult to get it back. The Minister needs to stop the uncertainty and categorically rule out any downgrade or closure of this important Grafton facility,” Williamson said.
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