Tuesday, 13 May 2025
Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan is demanding answers from the NSW Government after continued silence on the closure to the public of the LP Dutton Trout Hatchery at Ebor.
The Dutton Trout Hatchery has a long history of tourist and community visits for education and fish feeding.
The facility has been closed to the public since late 2024 and this has had a profound economic impact on the community of Ebor whose small businesses rely on tourism to succeed.
Mr Moylan has made numerous requests to Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty, including a Question On Notice in the March sittings of NSW Parliament, to clarify the future of tourism at the hatchery.
So far, the Minister’s office has only confirmed that the commercial and production parts of the hatchery will continue operating, and it has not communicated whether it will reopen for public visits.
“Closing the trout hatchery to the public has already had a huge effect on the small community of Ebor,” Mr Moylan said.
“The town relies on tourism and the trout hatchery is one of the big attractions for the area.
“The pub, accommodation facilities and other attractions have already seen a reduction of traffic to the town.
“Our small communities rely on these industries to thrive.
“I have asked the NSW Government if they intend to re-open the LP Dutton Trout Hatchery to tourists and the community but I am yet to receive an adequate response.
“This is not good enough. The NSW Government needs to outline their future plans for the hatchery.”
MEDIA: Electorate Office 6772 5552
Photo caption: Ebor Pub’s Chris McLean with Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan. The Ebor Pub has been affected by the trout hatchery’s closure to tourists and the public.