John Holland Group is delivering the early work contract and will start work on Monday, November 19, to build temporary project offices on the site of the former bowling club in the northern section of Mackay Park. This will include the demolition of the existing buildings.

There are many memories tied up with the bowling club: competitions, carnivals, weddings, concerts, eating, good friends and colleagues. There were hopes for it to be a community arts space: raised and then dashed; fears of it being replaced with a high-rise monstrosity or maybe something that could even enhance the projected arts/aquatic centre (yet to unfold).

Regardless, it is the end of an era for the Bay. Its destruction makes way for a new bridge that will sweep visitors in from a height of 12 metres (approx four storeys) with a wide view of our town and its facilities. The old bowlo site will hide its potential in dust/offices and machinery for some years.

For the locals who pass by the empty edifice and have watched it decay since its purchase by Euroobdealla Shire Council, there shall be mixed emotions no doubt: sadness, hopes for something better there, and bracing ourselves for the noise and dirt, ugliness and disruption that is inevitable during the construction of something of the scale of the new bridge, plus, beside it, overlapping for a period of time, the building of the arts/aquatic centre.

Let’s hope we get a phoenix, rising glorious from the dust, on both sites, to make it all worth while: new access and a new vision of the Bay; and a new creative and recreational dentre to put our hearts into.

Sadly, I have driven up the newly constructed section of Wamban Road, Moruya and witnessed a poorly planned, extravagant roadwork that is out of character with the beautiful surrounding area.

The once scenic little country road has been transformed into a freeway-type section that has been paved and widened.

The result has been increased noise from excessive vehicle speeding, many trees have been cut down and the usual lay of the road has been altered.

The council must understand the scenic roads are a reason why people live here.

It is in all our interests that we establish a scenic road policy.

I would like to encourage locals to nominate projects for Round 4 of the Morrison Liberal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program, which closes on 10 December 2018. 

In contrast to Labor, who did not invest a single dollar in improving mobile coverage, this program has already seen more than 600 base stations activated nationwide. 

This phase of the program focuses on coverage for emergency services, towns that experience seasonal demand due to tourism, key transport routes, health and educational facilities and indigenous communities. 

Can I encourage you to nominate potential locations to your local council who can apply for funding?