Mark Skok

Surf Beach

Well, at last we have it: the 'final' plan for the Mackay Park Regional Aquatic and Arts Centre.

It is a giant leap forward from the three concept plans we saw earlier this year and I am so glad.

The video walk-through is also impressive. We should expect light and space and "flow" and an appealing exterior.

Am I rejoicing yet? Well, I am warming that we may actually get a pleasant theatre with hanging space in the foyer for local artists and a flat-floor theatre that may house a reasonable art exhibition, plus a usable pool complex.

I am still not convinced there are anywhere near the meeting room spaces needed by the wider community: the multi-use rooms allocated are subject to quite a lot of competition, especially if they close the Batemans Bay Community Centre.

" ... there remains the potential that the council will not be able to afford the full scope of the project."

Will the arts component ever be built at all?

Will the council cut back on the proposal and still sell our other community assets?

Surely $51 million is enough?

I note we are still not allowed to see the management proposals or business plan (though Freedom of Information in the following years will give us a picture of the process and its players) and it will be a new council that will see the opening of the centre.

Once again I feel we are being softened up to accept the sale of the Batemans Bay Community Centre and other community assets ("it remains the proposed position that the council close the BBCC, once the new (Mackay Park) centre is opened and look at opportunities to either sell or lease the site " - to allow the council to metaphorically put all its eggs in one basket? Why?

(Quotations from the council report re the Mackay Park plan to the council meeting of Tuesday, August 19, 2019.)

On Monday, the regional planning panel held a determination meeting in regard to the proposed reevelopment of the Coachouse Marina Resort.

Friends of Hanging Rock Inc. have never opposed the development of this site. What we voiced and presented to Eurobodalla Shire Council and then the panel were our concerns regarding bulk and scale, poor "barrack-like" block architecture, loss of amenity, vegetation, solar and breeze, with huge structures hard up against our homes. Ill considered traffic "solutions" where safety of residents, pedestrians and through traffic was never properly assessed.

In recommending this DA for approval, the council took absolutely zero account of their own residents'/ratepayers' concerns. The independent panel took on board basically all our concerns.

The council's planners got things wrong; the chairperson and two panelists were spot on in their determination. They deferred the DA and made clear that in it's present form it was totally unacceptable. Developers and the council's planners now have a long list of things to address before resubmitting.

We have never acted in a "not in my backyard" manner. We want best outcomes for all and that includes a redeveloped Coachouse. However, we will have no hesitation in opposing cheap and over scale design, dangerous traffic, projects not beneficial to Batemans Bay and unsympathetic of Hanging Rock's amenity.

Rob Murray

Friends of Hanging Rock Inc.

Bega MP and Transport and Roads Minister Andrew Constance met executives of the Tuross Head Country Club last week to discuss potential funding for course and club improvement.

There are major costs in maintaining the facilities, and although the club has successfully renegotiated a favorable finance package with their bankers, additional support is needed.

The club has three bowling greens, a nine-hole golf course, a two-storey club with restaurant, sports bar, bottle shop and meeting rooms, and is on Coila Lake with magnificent views over the Tasman Sea.

It is rated one of Austalia's top 9-hole courses with progressive men's, veteran and ladies' sub clubs who manage their own calendars. The club was established on land gifted by Hector McWilliam and built with donated materials by volunteers. This self-help attitude continues. The club has regular competitions and hosts district pennants events.

The future looks positive and president Mike Birks, manager Stephen Hodge and men's golf president Andrew Gordon presented a strong message to Mr Constance highlighting past achievements, and outlined future projects to benefit the club and the community.

Waste water from the Moruya/Bingie sewerage plant is piped under Coila Lake and used on the course. The club could, with help, extend this system to cover the full course area.

A joint government, council, and club program would be of environmental benefit, use more waste water, and reduce the increasing load on the treatment plant. The Tuross Head club facility is also the focal point for many activities.

Work is required on pathways and parking areas require resurfacing. Traversing it is a challenge. The club is considering making one of the three bowling greens available for community activities. Covers are required for the remaining playing greens.

This hands on approach by the club was well received by the Mr Constance and staff. A detailed submission was presented with some confidence by executives and a positive response is hopefully expected for this important application.