The Beagle Editor
Once the Council had finalised the purchase of the Bowling Club Site in Batemans Bay shortly before the 2016 Council Elections media releases were produced by council and issued with Clr Lindsay Brown being promoted with the purchase using the shires residents and ratepayers resources.
Above: Extract of Council media release April 29th, 2016
To this time he hasn’t released any information as to why the purchase was actually made. However some of the councillors, when asked claimed “We Had No Choice”, are still not saying why the shire’s residents and ratepayers were compelled to purchase the site at an overpriced figure, as has been alleged. Councillor Lindsay Brown should be explaining what the purchase was really for.
Then, in the lead up to the September 2016 Council elections, Councillor Innes indicated in her election jargon she’d sell various public assets to provide a new swimming pool and other public assets on the site. On September 6, 2016 Liz Innes told the Bay Post she would move to sell the Batemans Bay Beach Resort to help fund an all-year-round heated pool for Batemans Bay. The Bay Post put forward a the following quotes “The people of Batemans Bay have waited way too long for a modern heated pool” “A year-round swimming facility will allow many groups to continue their favourite sport in winter. “Swim clubs, school learn to swim programs and hydrotherapy classes will all be accommodated.” “Council’s past response to those community groups raising funds for an upgraded pool has been unsympathetic. “Consultants’ cost estimates have been too high because their proposals have been over the top. We can’t afford a comprehensive leisure centre but, with some rearrangement of assets, I believe we can afford a new heated pool.” “Funds could come from the sale of the Batemans Bay Beach Resort. I believe that the council no longer needs to own this four star caravan park. Its upgrading is now completed. The media releases, public statements and promises need to be regularly reproduced and put in front of those Councillors, whose credibility over the whole business is zero.
Allan Brown
Catalina
