The Beagle
Apr 3, 2018
The Beagle Editor,
In light of the interest being shown in these pages around the Mayral Minute at last Tuesday's Council meeting might I offer your readers a copy of the letter I have sent to the General Manager, Catherine Dale
Dear Dr Dale
Regional Aquatic, Arts and Leisure Centre at Mackay Park Batemans Bay
The Mayor’s tabling of a minute on this matter without notice at last Tuesday’s council meeting was
inappropriate. The matters raised were neither urgent nor of an information-only nature. Moreover,
the motion proposed was unclear in some important respects.
The fifteen minutes given to councillors to read the minute was insufficient time for them to
consider and take advice on the complex issues involved. And, the many interested members of the
public had no opportunity to express any view. I strongly object to this clumsy attempt at
railroading.
Accordingly, I am obliged to ask the following questions to ensure that I understand the decision and
council’s intentions:
1. What, if any, conditions did the NSW government impose on the sports and cultural grants?
What project progress milestone is council obliged to meet by March next year? What
penalties apply if council violates grant conditions?
2. What impact, if any, does the shortfall from the planned budget in the money granted by
NSW have on the funds sought from the Commonwealth government? Will the
Commonwealth grant application be increased and by what amount?
3. Will a new grant for this project be sought from the recently announced rural grant program
associated with the sale of NSW’s shareholding in the Snowy Mountains Corporation? Does
the availability of this unexpected new source of funds now allow scope for a 50m pool
and/or a proper theatre to be included in the concept plan?
4. In regard to point 7, what specific guidance will be given to architects in regard to the future
inclusion of a 50m pool (and the associated removal of other pools/facilities)?
5. In regard to point 8, what advice has council received from its audit committee on the
maximum affordable capital and operating costs of the project? When does council plan to
publish its long term financial plan to allow residents to see the full extent of its expected
future capital commitments?
6. In regard to point 11, what guidance will be given to private sector bidders regarding desired
contributions (in cash or kind) to the aquatic and arts centre? When will the successful
contractor have access to the site?
7. Does council have any ambition to invest in the Narooma Pool to turn it into a regional
swimming sports hub? Will council be seeking funds from the NSW sports infrastructure
fund for this purpose?
I look forward to your reply. In the meantime, please send me a copy of council’s successful
applications. I am particularly interested in reading the SGS analysis of the economic costs and
benefits of the centre. I sought a copy of this document from Council before Christmas, but
you have, as yet, failed to get back to me.
I have copied this letter to councillors and the media for their information.
Yours sincerely
Paul Bradstreet