Copperlode Fish and Kayak owner Kim Andersen to chase council for compensation after trading loss

Copperlode Fishing and Kayak will pursue Cairns Regional Council for compensation after suffering about $35,000 loss in trading revenue, and millions worth of barramundi.

Copperlode Fishing and Kayak owner Kim Andersen spent his Christmas break clearing homes along the Redlynch Valley of dead barramundi that tumbled over Copperlode Dam wall. Picture: Copperlode Fishing and Kayak, and Joe Press.

Copperlode Fishing and Kayak will pursue Cairns Regional Council for compensation after suffering about $35,000 loss in trading revenue, and millions worth of barramundi.

Owner Kim Andersen’s business was closed when recent flooding stopped access to his Lake Morris site.

He claims council’s removal of the fish barrier net, prior to ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, could permanently destroy his business.

The net stopped barramundi from falling to their death, he said.

“I will absolutely seek compensation from the council. The scale and specifics will be worked out by my lawyers,” Mr Andersen said.

Kim Andersen said he had lost about $35,000 in trading revenue since his business closed on December 10, but said he had lost barramundi worth millions of dollars as well. Picture: Nuno Avendano

Copperlode Fish and Kayak, which started trading in October 2015, offered kayak and SUP tours of Lake Morris and opportunities to lure and angle adult barramundi.

Mr Andersen said his business earnt $800 a day, on average, in the peak summer season, and estimated his trading loss to be about $35,000 since its closure on December 10, 2023.

He said the larger loss, however, was the value of the barramundi, scores of which were found in Freshwater Creek — below the dam after the cyclone.

Mr Andersen put their value in the millions of dollars.

“I haven’t been permitted to get to the site to do a stock assessment,” he said.

“I’m prepared to go to court.”

Council’s CEO Mica Martin previously stated the net was removed for the public’s safety.

She said debris could have been caught in the net during the cyclone, which posed a structural danger to the dam wall, and the net would be reinstalled when Lake Morris Rd was deemed safe for public access.

Baylor Adams holds a decapitated barramundi fish at Crystal Cascades after the removal of a spillway net at Copperlode Dam. Picture: Supplied.

A letter authored by WGC Lawyers on January 19 on behalf of Mr Andersen and sent to the council, after Mr Andersen said he spied council workers on Lake Morris, demanded the reinstallation of the fish barrier net.

“The conduct by council ignores our client’s need for business stability and does not comply with council’s commitment to local business,” the letter stated.

“It is entirely unclear how public access affects council’s decision to restore the fish barrier net in circumstances where the fish barrier net has no designed use or purpose for the benefit of the general public accessing Lake Morris Rd and council and its contractors have been able to access Lake Morris despite the road closure.

“We will write further to council in respect to compensation for loss and damage suffered by our client and caused by the removal of the fish barrier net once our client has had the opportunity to access Lake Morris and assess the damage to their business.”

A council spokesman said the council was reviewing the legal letter.

“Any individual, company or organisation can apply for compensation, if they believe they have suffered loss as a result of council negligence,” the spokesman said.

“Lake Morris Rd remains closed to the public due to significant damage. Council crews are undertaking damage assessments and making repairs as they are able. Council has a caretaker stationed at Copperlode Dam to monitor the facility for the safety of downstream property owners and residents, and the city’s water security. Safety of the community is always council’s first priority.”

Originally published as Copperlode Fish and Kayak owner Kim Andersen to chase council for compensation after trading loss