Abalone businesses outside share scheme left out as Bega Valley seeks review Bega Valley councillors voted 6-2 to ask Minister Tara Moriarty to review the $6,355-per-share payment and consider delaying the Central Zone closure scheduled for 1 July 2027. Council: Bega Valley Shire Council Meeting: 21 Oct 2026 2:00pm Recorded status: approved BRIEF Bega Valley Shire Council will ask Minister Tara Moriarty to review a $6,355-per-share voluntary surrender payment for commercial abalone shareholders and consider delaying the Central Zone closure scheduled for 1 July 2027. The council resolution says divers, processors and other dependent businesses are not covered by the payment and requests publication of the evidence and valuation method behind the transition plan. KEY FACTS - The Central Zone is scheduled to close to commercial abalone fishing from 1 July 2027. - The voluntary share surrender program offers commercial abalone shareholders $6,355 per share, according to the minutes. - Council will ask Minister Tara Moriarty to review compensation or defer the program and closure pending consultation. - Council wants the evidence behind the 2026/27 Total Allowable Catch decision, the closure and the share valuation published. - The motion passed 6-2, with Tony Allen absent. ANALYSIS OF THE RECORD - The resolution is an advocacy request rather than a change to the NSW Government program or closure. Its practical effect depends on a ministerial response, which the chief executive officer is to report to council. - The minutes identify groups outside the recorded payment arrangement but do not quantify their losses or establish whether the $6,355 valuation is inadequate. QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP REPORTING - What response, if any, will Minister Tara Moriarty give to council's request for a review or deferral? - Which stock assessment and valuation documents have already been published, and which additional material does the minister receive in response to council's request? - How many commercial abalone shareholders and shares are covered by the voluntary surrender program? - What consultation will occur with divers, processors and other businesses identified as outside the payment arrangement? RECORDED NEXT STEPS - Council is to write to Minister Tara Moriarty seeking a compensation review or, alternatively, deferral of the share surrender program and Central Zone closure pending consultation. - The letter is to request publication of the evidence used for the 2026/27 Total Allowable Catch determination and closure, and the methodology used to value shares at $6,355. - The chief executive officer is to forward the letter to the Member for Bega. - Any response received from the minister is to be reported to council. SOURCE PASSAGES The NSW Government program, payment and closure date were recorded in the council resolution. "Notes that on 4 August 2026 the NSW Government announced a voluntary share surrender program for commercial abalone shareholders, with shares to be purchased at $6,355 per share, and that the Central Zone of the abalone fishery, extending from near Bundeena to Red Point south of Eden, will be closed to commercial abalone fishing from 1 July 2027." (14.3, Resolution 132/26) The resolution says divers, processors and other dependent businesses are not covered by the payment. "Notes that the financial support announced is directed to abalone shareholders, and that Council Meeting Minutes 21 October 2026 - 14 - divers, processors and other local businesses that depend on the fishery are not covered by the share surrender payment." (14.3, Resolution 132/26) Council requested a compensation review or, alternatively, deferral pending consultation. "review the compensation offered, so that it more reasonably reflects the loss incurred by all affected persons, including persons who are not shareholders; or b. in the alternative, defer implementation of the share surrender program and the closure of the Central Zone, pending genuine consultation with affected persons and the Bega Valley community." (14.3, Resolution 132/26) Council requested publication of the supporting evidence and valuation method. "publish, to the extent not already published, the stock assessment and other evidence relied on for the 2026/27 Total Allowable Catch determination and the closure of the Central Zone, and the methodology used to arrive at the $6,355 per share valuation;" (14.3, Resolution 132/26) The motion passed 6-2, with Cr Allen absent. "IN FAVOUR: Crs Fitzpatrick, Haggar, Mudaliar, Nadin, Noble and Porter AGAINST: Crs Daly and O'Neil ABSENT: Cr Allen" (14.3, Resolution 132/26) SOURCES https://begavalley.infocouncil.biz/RedirectToDoc.aspx?URL=Open/2026/10/OC_21102026_MIN_1214.PDF https://minutesradar.com/news/bega-valley-infocouncil-council-21-oct-2026-2-00pm-21-oct-2026-2-00pm-minutes-abalone-closure-would-leave-divers-and-processors-without-sur-fa5b68e448/ Prepared from public council minutes using automated drafting and checks. No meeting attendance or interviews are implied. Check the original record and seek comment before republishing claims or analysis. 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