Economy
Inland Fisheries buys property
TASMANIA’S Inland Fisheries Service is using fishing licence fees to amass a property portfolio, including the building that houses the well-known Hill Street Grocer.
State Parliament heard yesterday that the service had bought the West Hobart building for $1.17 million and had also bought an Evandale takeaway shop.
The body’s annual report revealed it owned $1.74 million of investments and collected more than $230,000 in rent last financial year.
Opposition fisheries spokesman Rene Hidding said money taken from fishers needed to be spent on fisheries.
“The Minister for Fisheries, Bryan Green, needs to look into how Inland Fisheries can afford to buy expensive properties, in light of the Government’s Budget black hole,” Mr Hidding said.
“Surely, Inland Fisheries’ sole objective is to make sure our fisheries are secure and sustainable: why does it need to expand into the property market? ”
Mr Green said the service was doing what it could to become self-funding.
“They are doing a fantastic job to ensure their sustainability, thereby lessening the burden on the taxpayer of Tasmania who has traditionally supported the Inland Fisheries Service and the important work they undertake,” Mr Green said.