Gday just wish to show my utter disappointment in West lakes council.

The other night whilst fishing a spot I have frequented more than 3-4 years now I was approached by a council security employee and asked to move on.I asked the bloke nicely and calmly why it was that I had to move on as I had not made a noise except for the splash of my cc predator hitting the water surface for the past 4 hours.I was answered with you cannot fish within 6 meters of any residential dwelling and I had to move on.As I could not see a sign anywhere and had no idea where 6 meters suddenly came from as most signs when posted say 3 meters from property or no fishing beyond this point so I asked him for a bit of information [hardcopy] of this new bylaw.
The man disappeared and around 10 minutes later come back with another security guy to ask me yet again to leave the area This form of intimidation never bothers me at all and again I asked for some proof of this new law but this time I stated I ran a forum and my members would be very interested in hearing about this new council legislation as would I as no where can I see a sign and I was not causing any noise disturbance what so ever.
This time one of the gentlemen said the paperwork and rules regarding this very issue were in his car and if I wished to view them it would cost me a $150 fine...At this point I got a bit annoyed > and stated that threats especially ones not backed up were laughable and that he did not need another person to try and stand over me to scare me into moving.
[All I asked for was some documentation but received nothing but smart assed answers and bullying tactics not to mention threats]
Anyway again I asked for some for of documentation regarding this new council bylaw and that in many different parts of the west lakes system signs are posted for 3 meters only and I had never heard nor seen of a 6 meter rule...This time my reply from them was "if you do not leave immediately we will remove you and issue you with a $150 fine".Now I was <!-- s> --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/angry.gif" alt=">" title="Angry" /><!-- s> --> as they both shone their lights into my face and told me to pack up.
My first intentions was to bad mouth them immediately for their rude behavior but I stated that if I wanted to I would stay here they could issue me a fine and if they so much as touched me I would sue them and the council for assault not to mention their little made up bylaw wouldn't stand up in court especially with no signs posted and no proof of any kind provided when asked for.
however by this time had enough of their <!-- s:-X --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/lipsrsealed.gif" alt=":-X" title="Lips Sealed" /><!-- s:-X --> and began to pack up,
a good night was spoiled by their rude behavior and I didn't wish to get any more heated over this pathetic debate.
They shone their lights in my face whilst packing up and followed me to my car waited for me to put everything away whilst standing over my shoulder literally even whilst getting in my drivers seat.
I was pretty censored off to say the least and the council are useless when approached regarding the issue,my disapproval of their behavior fell on deaf ears but I have sent off a letter of my disgust off regardless and am awaiting a reply.

So just a little warning council hero's are patrolling the foreshore's threatening people with violence and fines without any backup of any kind.The next time im out and threatened I will ask for a fine and continue fishing the area ,Ill let the courts decide who is in the wrong I will also take a video camera and a friend with me to get a bit of footage of the event.

To say the least im very disappointed at their behavior and the councils tactics are a disgrace. <!-- s:-[ --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/embarrassed.gif" alt=":-[" title="Embarrassed" /><!-- s:-[ --> <!-- s:-[ --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/embarrassed.gif" alt=":-[" title="Embarrassed" /><!-- s:-[ --> <!-- s:-[ --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/embarrassed.gif" alt=":-[" title="Embarrassed" /><!-- s:-[ -->

I'd tell those rent-a-cops to lick my nuts.
That sucks.
I hope we bump into the same guys when we have our social day.
Give them a bit of a strike and hook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tossers. i've never heard that rule.

That sucks Mully... spewing a good night was ruined by a pathetic, bored security guard..

I haven't heard of that rule either.. i agree Fred.. give them a strike, hook, left, left, right... kickbox to the head mate..

Not wishing to add to the argument, I was under the impression that West Lakes comes under the Charles Sturt council ??
And yes they have a few tossers there <!-- s> --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/angry.gif" alt=">" title="Angry" /><!-- s> -->
Maybe half dozen members should rock up and see wjhat happens !!

Hi Paul
I,ve only fished the lake for 6 months and the only signs i,ve seen state 6 metres...I ignore them and fish where i want anyway as i keep moving and am gone before the Chub guys show up. You must of been near the inlet as that is the only place i know they patrol because of persistant complaints from the residents.You can hardly blame them because almost every morning they have to clean up all the rubbish the fishing knobs leave in their yards etc.
I have no doubt that the blokes that told you to move would of been full blown wankers and wannabe coppers and i also doubt that the poxy council by-law would stand up in court.
The strange bit is there are no properties on the eastern side of the inlet except for those few units right near the pipes and i would think the 6m rule would not apply anyway....good on you for sticking up for yourself anyway and see you there next time <!-- s;D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/grin.gif" alt=";D" title="Grin" /><!-- s;D -->
cheers brenton

Brenton for starters I uphold the law when fishing and have never bothered fishing the entrance for this very reason. The signs up towards the exit at Bower road all state 3 meters including around the street [parks] etc..Please dont start guessing I deserved the push along as I clearly stated there are and have never been signs around this area for 5 years plus I know there are maybe a couple of 6 meter rules but most are in fact 3 meter or have a yellow do not cross line..
Also I am quite aware of the patrols near the entrance im not foolish enough to warrant a fine for doing the wrong thing there.
I have fished the lakes for 25 years since i was 13 years old and know every side street, park, bush and garden gnome in the area so please don't presume anything they are patrolling everywhere now....

hey Paul,
i think its the same old story, other idiots leaving there garbage behind rewining it for everyone else. its a shame but i think its a sign of the future.

Where ever and what ever outdoor activity you do there is garbage and idiots messing it up for others this has been the case for decades my actual point was being moved from an area without a reason and being threatened without justification...I think you have missed my point

yes and i feel you where mooved to prevent any garbage being left behind. sorry, I think you have missed my point

but don't get me wrong, the way they went about it was disappointing.

I do not ever leave garbage behind don't confuse yourself...

Paul
Keep your hair on,i didn,t move you along .....infact i thought i was supporting your position.I said in my post that i myself fish anywhere i please so i wouldn,t presume to say that you deserved to be sent packing.
As for fishing the inlet i fish there all the time and IMO its a good spot,i keep moving and i,ve never had a problem.

Mielzy
I get your point,i,ve seen and chatted to some of the residents down the inlet and even helped them to pick up some of the rubbish left there by unthinking fisho,s.They can,t catch a fish get pissed of and chuck their rubbish and even old bait etc in one of the blokes pool.....knobheads <!-- s:( --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/sad.gif" alt="" title="Sad" /><!-- s:( -->

cheers brenton

I haven't got any hair you know that and stop moving me along <!-- s:P --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/tongue.gif" alt="" title="Tongue" /><!-- s:P -->

You are definately right the inlet is a good spot ive watched others on quite a few occasions catching ST and bream there not to mention the odd schoolie sorry if I read your post the wrong way also wasnt my intention to be a <!-- s:-X --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/lipsrsealed.gif" alt=":-X" title="Lips Sealed" /><!-- s:-X -->