Letter to the Beagle Editor RESIDENTS OF THE EUROBODALLA
To ALL residents of the Eurobodalla we all need to stay very vigilant when it comes to any land in the Eurobodalla Shire. As most of you would be aware it has taken some 19 months to secure an undertaking by our Council to rescind the motion to demolish the toilets at Albert Ryan Park. This land is owned by the RMS so realistically our beloved little park and its future is now in the hands of the RMS whilst the Council will still maintain the toilets and grounds.
While some may feel that many issues within our shire does not affect them and issues such as the Rural Lands, Wharf Road, Coastal Management Programme (CMP), McKay Park, Batemans Bay Bowling Club, the new proposed Batemans Bay Bridge etc. etc. may not currently affect you, your family or friends, that might be today BUT what about tomorrow or the next day or in the future.
It has come to my attention that a colleague and a friend of mine from the Wingecarribee Shire Council, Deputy Mayor Ian Scandrett and his fellow councillors are in a fight of their own with the NSW State Government and Gladys Berejiklian due to a recent decision by the state government to rezone land in Moss Vale known as Coomuglie-Chel-sea Gardens. Apparently the decision was taken out of this councils hands earlier this year, these councillors were far from ready to give up the fight. At a Council meeting on the 8th November one Councillor stated “we need to make noise and make the Premier feel a little bit of pain”,
Another councillor from Wingecarribee argued passionately to write to Gladys Berejiklian which received an outstand applause from residents in the Gallery. This councillor stated “One of the things the premier said to us was any major decision that was to be considered within this shire would be done in conjunction with the community. Obviously she doesn’t know what her government is doing or she’s out of touch and the least we can do is put this on paper that we are very, very concerned about the processes employed”.
Another Councillor stated “Council should work with the state government to try to address some ongoing concerns raised by residents, it was added “Moss Vale needs growth economic development, it’s going to happen, so let’s get our skin in the game”.
Does this situation sound very familiar? This is just another example of an area where there appears to be a grab for land by the NSW State Government or the RMS where is this going to end. More of this issue can be read on the Highlands Post.
Within our Rural Lands Committee a committee member tried to introduce the word “stewardship” definition “a person paid to manage another’s estate or house”. We have seen where land at Wharf Road has been reclaimed for the Crown and as yet the land owners have not received any compensation.
We all need to look at what is happening not just in our own backyard but further field.
Trish Hellier Eurobodalla Concerned Citizen (ECC)
