THE Hastings River Fishermen's Co-operative has signed a contentious lease agreement that will see the business close its doors on December 31 after 70 years of trade.
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The state government, through both Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams and the Department of Primary Industries, have said the Co-op's future is in members' hands.
At issue is the group's iconic blue building, which is on land owned by the state government.
That building's 20-year lease expired at the end of 2007, with the Co-op since trading on a temporary licence.
After months of resistance, the group last week signed another licence which will see it stay open until the end of the year.
The new agreement means the business can trade until December 31 and, crucially, makes the fishermen responsible for the building's demolition costs which have been estimated at around $100,000.
Co-op member Paul Hyde said it was "money out of our pocket that could have been used for something else".
The fourth-generation fisherman, whose grandfather was among those who founded the group in the 1930s, said there was a lack of clarity about the future of the site.
The Hastings Regional Crown Reserve Plan of Management, which was adopted this year, and the Local Environment Plan set out how the Kooloonbung Creek harbour precinct can be developed.
We can't just close the doors and wait two or three years for the redevelopment to happen.
- Paul Hyde
A Department of Primary Industries spokesman said while there is not a timetable for redevelopment yet, the Co-op "would be able to make a submission" when the proposal goes to the market.
But that's not good enough for Mr Hyde and his fellow members.
"How long is the future?" he said. "We can't just close the doors and wait two or three years for the redevelopment to happen. It's one of those things, it's got to be given to us now."
Mrs Williams acknowledged it was a "difficult time" for the group.
"The Co-op members need to make a decision themselves about what they see there for the future," she said. "I think the fishermen have acknowledged themselves they are an aging workforce...the decision has to lay with them."
Mr Hyde, however, does not agree.
"She virtually told us the last time we met why don't we approach Woolworths for a shop front?
"So is that pointing to who's got the spot already?"
The fisherman's sister Kerrie Charry has started the 'Save the Fishermen's Co-op' Facebook page, as well as a petition on change.org.
"I'd really like to see it stay put," she said. "It's been a huge part of dad's life."
Cecil Hyde has been fishing since the age of 14, and his daughter said he was "pretty gutted" by the process.
"His health's gone to havoc because of it."
The family are pinning their hopes on the community getting behind the iconic business.
"It's a matter of waiting and seeing how strong the general public push is," the younger Mr Hyde said. "It's up to them now."