The Beagle Editor, We read with interest your opinion piece "In the words of the Premier "It is time to take a breather" on Mackay Park pool" In late October 2017, Maureen Searson and I met with (then) Deputy Mayor Clr Anthony Mayne and Clr Maureen Nathan to discuss Fight for Batemans Bay's 50m pool group concerns re the proposed redevelopment at Mackay Park which proposed replacing the existing 50m Olympic sized pool with an (in the opinion of several schools, swimming club members, sporting clubs, SLS organisations etc.) inadequate 25m pool. During those discussions, Clr Nathan made the remark that she had shown the concept plan to a mayor in another Shire and his response was that it looked like a 'white elephant'. A WHITE ELEPHANT then, a WHITE ELEPHANT now. Whose decision was it to scrap plans for the indoor aquatic centre to be moved from Hanging Rock to the site of the current pool complex at Mackay Park? Why did Council really buy the Bowling Club? Why won't Council revise their costings as instructed by Minister Andrew Constance at a public meeting in November 2017? Experienced aquatic centre construction company Hutchinsons Builders (Wollongong) provided an Order of Indicative Costs to construct the Aquatic/Arts Centre which differs considerably to the estimate provided by Council. Why? Why are we engaging two architectural firms, one from Sydney and the other from Western Australia at great expense to the ratepayers? Why not use 'local' architects for the project as the Mayor constantly reminds us to 'shop local'? These questions and MORE need to be answered properly at a council meeting. Coral Anderson, Maureen Searson
Above: Wotif are looking for nominations for what will become Australia's Next Big Thing. Glen Innes for a kilt, Mittagong for a tulip, Kingaroy for a peanut and at the Gateway to Batemans Bay....
