{"id":"nsw:sl-2011-0655","name":"Fisheries Management (Fishing Activities in Lowland Lachlan River Catchment) Order 2011","slug":"fisheries-management-fishing-activities-in-lowland-lachlan-river-catchment-order-2011","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"655 of 2011","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":178154,"registerId":"nsw-nsw:sl-2011-0655-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Order","content":"#### 1 Name of Order\n\n1 Name of Order\n\n> This Order is the [Fisheries Management (Fishing Activities in Lowland Lachlan River Catchment) Order 2011](/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2011-0655).","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n2 Commencement\n\n> This Order commences on the day on which it is published in the Gazette.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Fishing activities that may be carried out","content":"#### 3 Fishing activities that may be carried out\n\n3 Fishing activities that may be carried out\n\n> > (1) The activities referred to in subclauses (2)–(4) may be carried out in the Lowland Lachlan River Catchment subject to compliance with any applicable fishing regulatory controls.\n> \n> > (2) A recreational fisher may take from the Lowland Lachlan River Catchment any of the following species of fish, may possess any such species of fish taken from the Lowland Lachlan River Catchment, or may carry out any routine activity in connection with any such taking or possession:\n> > \n> > > (a) *Paratya australiensis* (freshwater shrimp),\n> > \n> > > (b) *Macrobrachium australiense* (freshwater prawn),\n> > \n> > > (c) *Cherax destructor* (yabby),\n> > \n> > > (d) *Maccullochella peelii* (Murray cod),\n> > \n> > > (e) *Macquaria ambigua* (golden perch),\n> > \n> > > (f) *Nematalosa erebi* (bony bream),\n> > \n> > > (g) *Leiopotherapon unicolour* (spangled perch).\n> > \n> > Note—\n> > \n> > A recreational fisher is defined in the [Fisheries Management Act 1994](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1994-038) as a fisher who takes fish by any method, otherwise than for sale.\n> \n> > (3) A person holding a commercial fishing licence that has a Class A: Yabby and carp endorsement (transferable) in the inland restricted fishery may:\n> > \n> > > (a) take *Cherax destructor* (yabby) from the Lowland Lachlan River Catchment, or\n> > \n> > > (b) possess or sell *Cherax destructor* (yabby) taken from the Lowland Lachlan River Catchment, or\n> > \n> > > (c) carry out any routine activities in connection with any such taking, possession or sale.\n> \n> > (4) A broodstock collector may take from the Lowland Lachlan River Catchment any of the following species of fish, may possess any such species of fish taken from the Lowland Lachlan River Catchment or may carry out any routine activity in connection with any such taking or possession:\n> > \n> > > (a) *Maccullochella peelii* (Murray cod),\n> > \n> > > (b) *Macquaria ambigua* (golden perch).\n> \n> > (5) In this clause:\n> > \n> > applicable fishing regulatory controls means requirements imposed by or under the [Fisheries Management Act 1994](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1994-038) that apply to or in respect of the activities concerned.\n> > \n> > broodstock collector means a person who takes fish under the authority of a permit issued under section 37 of the [Fisheries Management Act 1994](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1994-038) for aquaculture purposes.\n> > \n> > inland restricted fishery has the same meaning as it has in the [Fisheries Management (General) Regulation 2010](/view/html/repealed/current/sl-2010-0475).\n> > \n> > Lowland Lachlan River Catchment means the aquatic ecological community in the natural drainage system of the lowland catchment of the Lachlan River (described in the recommendation of the Fisheries Scientific Committee to list that aquatic ecological community as the area covered by that recommendation).","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repeal of interim order","content":"#### 4 Repeal of interim order\n\n4 Repeal of interim order\n\n> The [Fisheries Management (Continuation of Activities in Lowland Lachlan River Catchment) Interim Order 2011](/view/html/repealed/current/sl-2011-0293) is repealed.","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on available metadata, the order appears to remain as originally made on 14 December 2011 with no amendments to date. The scope appears unchanged — it has been in continuous force in its original form since commencement, suggesting no scope creep or legislative modification has occurred."},"complexity_factors":["Geographic scope requires understanding of what constitutes the 'lowland' Lachlan River Catchment boundary, which may not be self-evident","The order operates within a broader regulatory framework (the Fisheries Management Act 1994 NSW), requiring cross-referencing to understand full obligations","The substantive content of the order was not provided, making full assessment impossible — actual provisions could add complexity","Intersection of environmental law, geographic definitions, and fishing regulations across recreational and commercial sectors","Low complexity overall as subordinate legislation (orders) of this type tend to be narrowly focused and specific in their prohibitions or permissions"],"plain_english_summary":"This NSW fisheries order regulates fishing activities in the lowland Lachlan River catchment, affecting recreational and commercial fishers and local landowners/communities in central‑western NSW by defining permitted, restricted, or prohibited fishing in those lowland reaches.\n\nIt matters because lowland stretches are ecologically sensitive habitat for native fish; such orders aim to protect populations under pressure. The specific rules weren’t included here — consult the full order for exact restrictions."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Order replaces the interim continuation order (s4) and formally specifies the same categories of permitted activities in the Lowland Lachlan River Catchment (recreational, specified commercial yabby activity, and broodstock collection) subject to existing regulatory controls (s3). The text does not, by itself, expand the classes of users or species beyond those listed here, nor identify broader scope changes beyond repeal of the interim order (s3, s4)."},"complexity_factors":["Cross‑references to other instruments: relies on the Fisheries Management Act 1994 for definitions and regulatory controls (s3(1), s3(5)) and the Fisheries Management (General) Regulation 2010 for the inland restricted fishery meaning (s3(5)).","Multiple user categories with different legal bases: recreational fishers (s3(2)), commercial licence‑holders with a Class A endorsement (s3(3)), and broodstock collectors operating under s37 permits (s3(4) and s3(5)).","Licence and permit linkage: commercial activity is confined to holders of a specific transferable endorsement (s3(3)); broodstock collectors require a permit under s37 of the Act (s3(4), s3(5)) — creating administrative compliance and fee implications for those operators.","Conditional permissions: all activities are subject to 'applicable fishing regulatory controls', so operational detail and compliance obligations are determined outside this Order (s3(1), s3(5)).","Geographic and ecological definition dependency: the Lowland Lachlan River Catchment is defined by an external scientific recommendation, so spatial scope depends on that sourced description (s3(5)).","Commencement and repeal mechanics: immediate commencement on Gazette publication affects timing for compliance (s2) and the Order expressly repeals the interim continuation order (s4), affecting transition rules."],"plain_english_summary":"This Order sets out which fishing activities are allowed in the Lowland Lachlan River Catchment. It authorises recreational fishers to take specified freshwater species, allows commercial holders with a Class A (Yabby and carp) endorsement to take, possess or sell yabbies, and permits broodstock collectors to take Murray cod and golden perch — all subject to existing fisheries regulatory controls. It also repeals a prior interim order, so fishing permissions, licence requirements and permit conditions are fixed by this instrument and the cross‑referenced fisheries laws."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation maintains its original narrow scope. It was clearly intended from the outset to be a targeted, limited-purpose instrument authorising specific fishing activities in a specific geographic area (the endangered Lowland Lachlan River Catchment). The repeal of the interim order and replacement with this Order represents continuity of purpose rather than scope creep."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document — only 4 operative clauses","Minimal defined terms (only 4 definitions in clause 3(5))","No nested exceptions or complex conditional logic","Simple structure: commencement, permitted activities by category, repeal","Cross-references limited to 3 external instruments (Fisheries Management Act 1994, Fisheries Management (General) Regulation 2010, and the repealed interim order)","Clear categorical permissions (recreational, commercial with specific endorsement, broodstock collector) with no overlapping conditions"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this legislation does:**\n\nThis Order sets out who is allowed to fish in the **Lowland Lachlan River Catchment** (a specific area in New South Wales covering the lower parts of the Lachlan River system) and what species they can take.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\nThree groups of people:\n- **Recreational fishers** — ordinary people fishing for fun or food (not to sell). They can catch seven specific species including yabbies, Murray cod, golden perch, and freshwater shrimp.\n- **Commercial fishers** — but only those with a special **Class A: Yabby and carp endorsement** for the inland restricted fishery. They can catch, keep, and sell yabbies from this area.\n- **Broodstock collectors** — people with permits to catch fish for breeding in fish farms (aquaculture). They can take Murray cod and golden perch.\n\n**Key rules:**\n- Everyone must still follow all other fishing laws (size limits, bag limits, seasons, etc.) that apply under the main **Fisheries Management Act 1994**.\n- This Order **replaces** an earlier temporary (interim) order from 2011.\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThe Lowland Lachlan River Catchment is an **endangered aquatic ecological community** — meaning the plants, animals, and water systems there are at risk. Normally, fishing might be restricted or banned in such areas. This Order creates a **carefully controlled exception** that allows some sustainable fishing to continue while still protecting the ecosystem. It balances conservation with allowing traditional fishing activities and small-scale commercial yabby harvesting."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-fishing-activities-in-lowland-lachlan-river-catchment-order-2011","history":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-fishing-activities-in-lowland-lachlan-river-catchment-order-2011/history","analysis":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-fishing-activities-in-lowland-lachlan-river-catchment-order-2011/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-fishing-activities-in-lowland-lachlan-river-catchment-order-2011/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-fishing-activities-in-lowland-lachlan-river-catchment-order-2011/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-fishing-activities-in-lowland-lachlan-river-catchment-order-2011/documents"}}