The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has hit back at criticism over their decision to cut visitor numbers to Baranguba Montague Island.
Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Matt Hatcher slammed the move and says there are other ways to control concerns about inappropriate behaviour on the popular tourist attraction off Narooma.
But a NPWS spokesperson said visitation data since 2014 confirms there have only been a few occasions where daily visitor numbers exceeded 120.
They said daily visitor numbers to the island have been changed to protect the exceptional environmental and cultural values of the Nature Reserve.
An expressions of interest process will be undertaken shortly for boat operator licences to the island.
The current licences are due to expire at the end of August.
