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Covering local town news from Durras to Dignams Creek Letters to the Editor and Opinion pieces Do you have a letter or Opinion you want to send in? Click HERE to submit or email beagleweeklynews@gmail.com Welcome to this week’s editorial Being a teenager in the 1970’s came with owning lots of T-shirts. Back then T-Shirts carried the message of your firmly held views and... Sep 4, 2023 Editorial Aug 25th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, This week we saw representation at NSW Parliament House supporting the establishment of an alliance,... Aug 27, 2023 Editorial Aug 18th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, You might find a few letters to the editor in this edition written in response to Council’s decision... Aug 19, 2023 Letter to the Editor, Shameful day for Eurobodalla Council The Beagle Editor For over two hundred years our First Nations people have been ignored by various governments with paternalistic,... Aug 16, 2023 A Better Eurobodalla Presentation A Better Eurobodalla (ABE) Presentation to the Eurobodalla Shire Council Public Forum on Tuesday 15th August 2023 – GMR23/031 Review of... Aug 15, 2023 Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance presentation - heat havens NOM 23/003 – 15 August 2023 The Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance (SHASA) supports Councillor David Grace’s motion that a... Aug 15, 2023 Eurobodalla for Yes ask Council to support the Voice to Parliament Walawani: Mayor and Councillors, Today, I stand before you to lend my voice in support of a rare opportunity for our nation, an... Aug 15, 2023 Public Forum Submission by Jeff de Jager Public Forum Submission by Jeff de Jager regarding - GMR23/031 - Bay Pavilions Financial Performance Review A big thankyou to the Mayor... Aug 15, 2023 Presentation: Bay Pavilions Financial Performance Maureen Searson Councillors, I am not able to attend the council meeting tomorrow to speak on GMR23/031. Here is my presentation. Firstly thank for... Aug 15, 2023 Presentation to Council 15/08/2023 in support of NOM23/003 Heat Havens Presentation to Council 15/08/2023 in support of NOM23/003 Heat Havens Urgent Action Needed: Protecting Vulnerable Demographics from Heat... Aug 15, 2023 A Better Eurobodalla (ABE) presentation 15 August 2023 A Better Eurobodalla (ABE) presentation to Eurobodalla Shire Council public forum on CAR23/012 Aboriginal Advisory Committee... Aug 15, 2023 Presentation - GMR23/031 REVIEW OF BAY PAVILIONS – Lei Parker Presentation - GMR23/031 REVIEW OF BAY PAVILIONS – Lei Parker August 15th 2023 – Public Forum. Councillors, I would like to address... Aug 15, 2023 Editorial Aug 11th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, At the next Council meeting on Tuesday 15th of August 2023 a scathing report will be tabled on the... Aug 13, 2023 Editorial August 4th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, Council’s Public Access session this week saw a member of the public coming forward asking what the... Aug 5, 2023 When smoke can't shroud the unspoken truths The Beagle editor, I appreciate that you are more focussed on local issues however the presentation by Bunja Smith to the Eurobodalla... Jul 28, 2023 The climate crisis reaches boiling point the Premier of the Coal State’s silence is deafening The era of global boiling is here. Communities in the Northern Hemisphere are sweltering under unprecedented temperatures, sea surface... Jul 28, 2023 SHASA presentation to Council on 25 July 2023 NOM23/002 - UPGRADES TO EVACUATION CENTRES SHASA presentation to Council on 25 July 2023. The need to prepare for the 2023/24 bushfire... Jul 25, 2023 Pussy footing and teeth pulling: but in the end the community had its day at Council It might take pussyfooting and diplomatically skirting around what should be said but eventually, like pulling teeth, it there is a... Jul 25, 2023 Presentation: Council's Code of Meeting Practice A Better Eurobodalla presentation to Eurobodalla Shire Council public access session on Code of Meeting Practice 25 July 2023 I am... Jul 25, 2023 Presentation: Upgrades to Evacuation Centres ABE Public Forum Presentation to Council 25 July 2023 - NoM 23/02 Upgrades to Evacuation Centres By Dr Brett Stevenson Co-Convenor, A... Jul 25, 2023 Presentation: BiBS study recommendations  Presentation in Support of NOM23/002 - UPGRADES TO EVACUATION CENTRES - to Eurobodalla Shire Council on 25th July, 2023 Australian... Jul 25, 2023 Editorial July 21st 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, Unsurprisingly I have been asked my thoughts on the Voice Referendum and several readers have submitted... Jul 22, 2023 Editorial July 14th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, Over the last six and a half years many of you will have seen the articles in The Beagle that raised... Jul 15, 2023 A tale of two cities: It's like chalk and cheese Dear Editor, I read your editorial of 7th July concerning emergency preparedness in the Eurobodalla Shire Council with great interest and... Jul 14, 2023 SHASA lights a fire under Council in regards to their shortcomings of bushfire preparation Over the coming weeks The Beagle will present the many community requests and concerns voiced after the last emergency that have fallen... Jul 11, 2023 Editorial July 7th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, According to the World Meteorological Organization Australia is set for a hot, dry El Niño. Before... Jul 8, 2023 Deserving more than peanuts The Beagle Editor The editorial in the On-line Beagle of 30 June 2023 informed readers that the Eurobodalla Councillors had voted... Jul 2, 2023 Editorial June 30th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, Between a rock and a hard place. Eurobodalla Council has recognised that, unless they change course,... Jul 1, 2023 If the RFS hadn’t acted when they did the outcome could have been very different Dear Editor, Late last Saturday morning June 24th 2023 the RFS was called out to a large unattended campfire in Boyne State Forest. It... Jun 27, 2023 Tomakin Road speed limit reduction : Why isn't Council listening and representing Eurobodalla Council Public Access 27th June 2023 Submission from the Tomakin Road Resident Group Re: Tomakin Road speed limit reduction ... Jun 27, 2023 Editorial June 23rd 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, Of late we have heard much about affordable housing, and the lack thereof. It turns out, and not... Jun 25, 2023 Greens put brakes on Housing Fund At a time where Australia is in desperate need of affordable housing and a strategy to reduce the pain of hundreds of thousands of... Jun 20, 2023 Editorial June 16th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, For those who are new to The Beagle I offer a little background of why The Beagle came into being. In... Jun 17, 2023 For us to listen, they need a Voice. To the Beagle Editor Dear Sir, You concluded your recent editorial with ‘… under Australian laws we are all the same.’ In principle this... Jun 14, 2023 Editorial June 9th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, Beware… what follows may be controversial but I need pursue it so that I might bring the elephant in... Jun 10, 2023 Sculpture for Clyde more than measures up as a hallmark event The 2023 Sculpture for Clyde event was a huge success for Batemans Bay and the wider region with measurable figures that showed a marked... Jun 6, 2023 In response to the EV editorial The Beagle Editor: Dear Sir, Re: Your Editorial in Vol 313, 2nd June 2023 You quote a reference: Lithium is a non-renewable mineral. Its... Jun 4, 2023 Editorial June 2nd 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, When it comes to EV cars I am reminded of the ‘Snake Oil sellers’ of old who would spruik the many... Jun 4, 2023 A Comprehensive Cyberbullying Guide for Parents The Beagle Editor, I recently read your article where you mention bullying, here: https://www.beagleweekly.com.au/post/2018/04/19/bullyi... Jun 2, 2023 Time for Forestry to pay respect The Beagle Editor, “Last week, Forestry Corporation NSW, issued a temporary reprieve to the public native forest around Big Spotty, the... May 30, 2023 Editorial May 26th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, You may have read in past editorials my references to the Good Ship Eurobodalla (sometimes scathingly... May 27, 2023 Editorial May 19th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, The readership of The Beagle is broad. Because it is on-line it reaches well beyond the boundaries of... May 20, 2023 The market worships at the altar of profit not goodwill The Beagle Editor, Another excellent Beagle editorial at the weekend. Our various governments’ and regulators’ inaction over the past 10... May 17, 2023 Hey Council ! Fair suck of the Sav From time to time it would pay for our councillors to follow social media. Some still smirk and say they aren't on Facebook and if... May 14, 2023 Editorial May 12th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, Facts are interesting when you look at them, especially when combined together with others to offer a... May 13, 2023 An honest ad: The Reverse Bank of Australia An ad, and it’s surprisingly honest and informative. May 7, 2023 Editorial May 5th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, There is little doubt that our elected councillors are about to find themselves between a rock and... May 6, 2023 Editorial April 28th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, Back in days of old there was an expectation that a hotel would provide shelter and hay for a guest’s... Apr 29, 2023 Editorial April 21st 2023 Welcome to this week's editorial. In a week of remembering. Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand... Apr 21, 2023 Review of Bay Pavilions Operations The Beagle Editor, Your readers might find the following letter I have sent to the Eurobodalla Mayor, Matt Hatcher, of interest: Dear... Apr 17, 2023 Click here if you would like to Send in a Letter or Opinion piece for consideration Top of Page

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Covering local town news from Durras to Dignams Creek Letters to the Editor and Opinion pieces Do you have a letter or Opinion you want to send in? Click HERE to submit or email beagleweeklynews@gmail.com Welcome to this week’s editorial Being a teenager in the 1970’s came with owning lots of T-shirts. Back then T-Shirts carried the message of your firmly held views and... Sep 4, 2023 Editorial Aug 25th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, This week we saw representation at NSW Parliament House supporting the establishment of an alliance,... Aug 27, 2023 Editorial Aug 18th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, You might find a few letters to the editor in this edition written in response to Council’s decision... Aug 19, 2023 Letter to the Editor, Shameful day for Eurobodalla Council The Beagle Editor For over two hundred years our First Nations people have been ignored by various governments with paternalistic,... Aug 16, 2023 A Better Eurobodalla Presentation A Better Eurobodalla (ABE) Presentation to the Eurobodalla Shire Council Public Forum on Tuesday 15th August 2023 – GMR23/031 Review of... Aug 15, 2023 Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance presentation - heat havens NOM 23/003 – 15 August 2023 The Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance (SHASA) supports Councillor David Grace’s motion that a... Aug 15, 2023 Eurobodalla for Yes ask Council to support the Voice to Parliament Walawani: Mayor and Councillors, Today, I stand before you to lend my voice in support of a rare opportunity for our nation, an... Aug 15, 2023 Public Forum Submission by Jeff de Jager Public Forum Submission by Jeff de Jager regarding - GMR23/031 - Bay Pavilions Financial Performance Review A big thankyou to the Mayor... Aug 15, 2023 Presentation: Bay Pavilions Financial Performance Maureen Searson Councillors, I am not able to attend the council meeting tomorrow to speak on GMR23/031. Here is my presentation. Firstly thank for... Aug 15, 2023 Presentation to Council 15/08/2023 in support of NOM23/003 Heat Havens Presentation to Council 15/08/2023 in support of NOM23/003 Heat Havens Urgent Action Needed: Protecting Vulnerable Demographics from Heat... Aug 15, 2023 A Better Eurobodalla (ABE) presentation 15 August 2023 A Better Eurobodalla (ABE) presentation to Eurobodalla Shire Council public forum on CAR23/012 Aboriginal Advisory Committee... Aug 15, 2023 Presentation - GMR23/031 REVIEW OF BAY PAVILIONS – Lei Parker Presentation - GMR23/031 REVIEW OF BAY PAVILIONS – Lei Parker August 15th 2023 – Public Forum. Councillors, I would like to address... Aug 15, 2023 Editorial Aug 11th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, At the next Council meeting on Tuesday 15th of August 2023 a scathing report will be tabled on the... Aug 13, 2023 Editorial August 4th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, Council’s Public Access session this week saw a member of the public coming forward asking what the... Aug 5, 2023 When smoke can't shroud the unspoken truths The Beagle editor, I appreciate that you are more focussed on local issues however the presentation by Bunja Smith to the Eurobodalla... Jul 28, 2023 The climate crisis reaches boiling point the Premier of the Coal State’s silence is deafening The era of global boiling is here. Communities in the Northern Hemisphere are sweltering under unprecedented temperatures, sea surface... Jul 28, 2023 SHASA presentation to Council on 25 July 2023 NOM23/002 - UPGRADES TO EVACUATION CENTRES SHASA presentation to Council on 25 July 2023. The need to prepare for the 2023/24 bushfire... Jul 25, 2023 Pussy footing and teeth pulling: but in the end the community had its day at Council It might take pussyfooting and diplomatically skirting around what should be said but eventually, like pulling teeth, it there is a... Jul 25, 2023 Presentation: Council's Code of Meeting Practice A Better Eurobodalla presentation to Eurobodalla Shire Council public access session on Code of Meeting Practice 25 July 2023 I am... Jul 25, 2023 Presentation: Upgrades to Evacuation Centres ABE Public Forum Presentation to Council 25 July 2023 - NoM 23/02 Upgrades to Evacuation Centres By Dr Brett Stevenson Co-Convenor, A... Jul 25, 2023 Presentation: BiBS study recommendations  Presentation in Support of NOM23/002 - UPGRADES TO EVACUATION CENTRES - to Eurobodalla Shire Council on 25th July, 2023 Australian... Jul 25, 2023 Editorial July 21st 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, Unsurprisingly I have been asked my thoughts on the Voice Referendum and several readers have submitted... Jul 22, 2023 Editorial July 14th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, Over the last six and a half years many of you will have seen the articles in The Beagle that raised... Jul 15, 2023 A tale of two cities: It's like chalk and cheese Dear Editor, I read your editorial of 7th July concerning emergency preparedness in the Eurobodalla Shire Council with great interest and... Jul 14, 2023 SHASA lights a fire under Council in regards to their shortcomings of bushfire preparation Over the coming weeks The Beagle will present the many community requests and concerns voiced after the last emergency that have fallen... Jul 11, 2023 Editorial July 7th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, According to the World Meteorological Organization Australia is set for a hot, dry El Niño. Before... Jul 8, 2023 Deserving more than peanuts The Beagle Editor The editorial in the On-line Beagle of 30 June 2023 informed readers that the Eurobodalla Councillors had voted... Jul 2, 2023 Editorial June 30th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, Between a rock and a hard place. Eurobodalla Council has recognised that, unless they change course,... Jul 1, 2023 If the RFS hadn’t acted when they did the outcome could have been very different Dear Editor, Late last Saturday morning June 24th 2023 the RFS was called out to a large unattended campfire in Boyne State Forest. It... Jun 27, 2023 Tomakin Road speed limit reduction : Why isn't Council listening and representing Eurobodalla Council Public Access 27th June 2023 Submission from the Tomakin Road Resident Group Re: Tomakin Road speed limit reduction ... Jun 27, 2023 Editorial June 23rd 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, Of late we have heard much about affordable housing, and the lack thereof. It turns out, and not... Jun 25, 2023 Greens put brakes on Housing Fund At a time where Australia is in desperate need of affordable housing and a strategy to reduce the pain of hundreds of thousands of... Jun 20, 2023 Editorial June 16th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, For those who are new to The Beagle I offer a little background of why The Beagle came into being. In... Jun 17, 2023 For us to listen, they need a Voice. To the Beagle Editor Dear Sir, You concluded your recent editorial with ‘… under Australian laws we are all the same.’ In principle this... Jun 14, 2023 Editorial June 9th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, Beware… what follows may be controversial but I need pursue it so that I might bring the elephant in... Jun 10, 2023 Sculpture for Clyde more than measures up as a hallmark event The 2023 Sculpture for Clyde event was a huge success for Batemans Bay and the wider region with measurable figures that showed a marked... Jun 6, 2023 In response to the EV editorial The Beagle Editor: Dear Sir, Re: Your Editorial in Vol 313, 2nd June 2023 You quote a reference: Lithium is a non-renewable mineral. Its... Jun 4, 2023 Editorial June 2nd 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, When it comes to EV cars I am reminded of the ‘Snake Oil sellers’ of old who would spruik the many... Jun 4, 2023 A Comprehensive Cyberbullying Guide for Parents The Beagle Editor, I recently read your article where you mention bullying, here: https://www.beagleweekly.com.au/post/2018/04/19/bullyi... Jun 2, 2023 Time for Forestry to pay respect The Beagle Editor, “Last week, Forestry Corporation NSW, issued a temporary reprieve to the public native forest around Big Spotty, the... May 30, 2023 Editorial May 26th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, You may have read in past editorials my references to the Good Ship Eurobodalla (sometimes scathingly... May 27, 2023 Editorial May 19th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, The readership of The Beagle is broad. Because it is on-line it reaches well beyond the boundaries of... May 20, 2023 The market worships at the altar of profit not goodwill The Beagle Editor, Another excellent Beagle editorial at the weekend. Our various governments’ and regulators’ inaction over the past 10... May 17, 2023 Hey Council ! Fair suck of the Sav From time to time it would pay for our councillors to follow social media. Some still smirk and say they aren't on Facebook and if... May 14, 2023 Editorial May 12th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, Facts are interesting when you look at them, especially when combined together with others to offer a... May 13, 2023 An honest ad: The Reverse Bank of Australia An ad, and it’s surprisingly honest and informative. May 7, 2023 Editorial May 5th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, There is little doubt that our elected councillors are about to find themselves between a rock and... May 6, 2023 Editorial April 28th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, Back in days of old there was an expectation that a hotel would provide shelter and hay for a guest’s... Apr 29, 2023 Editorial April 21st 2023 Welcome to this week's editorial. In a week of remembering. Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand... Apr 21, 2023 Review of Bay Pavilions Operations The Beagle Editor, Your readers might find the following letter I have sent to the Eurobodalla Mayor, Matt Hatcher, of interest: Dear... Apr 17, 2023 Top of Page

Articles around the Mackay Park project On 29 August 2017 , Council held an Extraordinary Meeting to consider a draft business case and concept plans for two options for redevelopment of the Batemans Bay Mackay Park Precinct for a Regional Aquatic Centre and Arts and Cultural Facility. Council resolved to endorse option one , being the development of a Regional Aquatic Arts and Leisure Centre and gateway visitor centre, on the southern part of the precinct for the purpose of seeking grant funding to construct the facility. September 2017 Grant application made in under the provisions of the NSW government's Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund for $18m and Grant application made to the Regional Cultural Fund for $8m . November 2017, one of the members of the 'save our 50m pool group' requested, from the ESC, a copy of the application that the council had submitted for the grant under the NSW Sports Infrastructure Fund. "On 25 November, the council rejected that request and provided the following justification for doing so. “Council has sort (sic) advice from the NSW Office of Sport and the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet who are both involved with the grant applications. Both have confirmed that the applications are treated as commercial in confidence because to release such information would reduce the competitive value of the application placing Council at a competitive disadvantage amongst other bodies competing for the same funding. Council agrees with this position and does not intend to release details of the grant applications.” In February 2018 Eurobodalla Council made two grant applications. The first to the Office of Sport and the second to the Regional Cultural Fund (GIPA Request pending). In early March 2018, Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund informally advise a member of the public that the Sports Grant did not succeed in its application. When asked for a copy of the application by Council the Office of Sport had determined that it was appropriate under the State's 'FOI' legislation that the general public should be given access to copy of council's grant application (with some redactions). However, Sport also advised that, at that stage, they weren't able to immediately release the document because a 3rd party (later revealed to be council) had objected to Sport's decision. Shortly after council formally requested an 'internal review' by Sport of its earlier decision to release the grant application. On 27 April 2018 the Office of Sport accepted the council's arguments and decided that the document should not be publicly released at that time. There was no challenge to that particular decision in the Civil and Administrative Tribunal mainly based on an understanding that the document would probably become publicly available a few months later in early September 2018. It did not. On 19th October 2018 a new 'FOI' request was lodged with the Office of Sport. In response to that request, on 30 November 2018 Sport formally decided that the applicant be given a copy of the grant application (with some redactions). Once again, council disagreed with that decision and again sought a formal 'internal review' of Sport's decision. However, on this occasion, Sport rejected the ESC's arguments and on 21 January 2019 formally ruled that its November 2018 decision to release the document would stand and, as a consequence, scheduled to provide the document on 12 February – unless, of course, the council chose to exercise its entitlement to appeal against Sport's decision to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Council then mounted a case to the Information Commission that the deadline for a decision on any appeal against Sport's decision should be in late March, not early February, a decision by someone in this council to drag this process out as long as possible. In the end a redacted copy was obtained that revealed that Council had used the Otium Business Case Councillors were briefed on 5 March 2019, involving the third party consultation for two GIPA applications sent to NSW Office of Sport. Jim Bright addressed council the week before at the Ordinary Council Meeting 26 February 2019 . What were council trying to hide from the community? Possibly the fact that they had used the Otium Business Case in their grant application: 10. Warranties and Disclaimers There will be differences between projected and actual results, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected and those differences may be material. We do not express an opinion as to whether actual results will approximate projected results, nor can we confirm, underwrite or guarantee the achievability of the projections as it is not possible to substantiate assumptions which are based on future events. Neither Otium Planning Group, nor any member or employee of Otium Planning Group, nor any subconsultants engaged in the preparation of this report assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the content of this report. Neither Otium Planning Group, nor any member or employee of Otium Planning group, nor any sub-consultants engaged in the preparation of this report accepts responsibility arising in any way whatsoever to any persons in respect of this report, for any errors or omissions herein, arising through negligence or otherwise however caused, and will not be liable to Eurobodalla Shire Council or any third party in any way for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or exemplary damages resulting from the use or misuse of this report. Page 38. It should be noted that the financial model does not incorporate sensitivity analysis or depreciation at this stage. This will be done after the base case assumptions and preferred design option have been approved by Council. Further, once the preferred design option and financial modelling has been approved and finalised, an assessment of the economic impact of the facility should be undertaken by Council to support any applications for external funding. The application to the Office of Sport failed. Gladys Berejiklian and the Member for Bega the Hon. Andrew Constance came to Batemans Bay on 26 March 2018 to announce $26m of funding towards the construction of the Regional Aquatic, Arts and Leisure Centre at Mackay Park Batemans Bay. The following day, 27th March 2018 , Eurobodalla councillors reaffirmed their commitment to the concept design of the new Regional Aquatic, Arts and Leisure Centre at Mackay Park, Batemans Bay delivered as a Mayoral Report offering the Councillors only 15 minutes to digest a 1600 word report before adopting it. By doing so the councillors set in place the demise of the Batemans Bay 50m pool and the subterfuge, the secret invitation only meetings, the declaration that business plans are not to be publicly available for reasons of 'Commercial in Confidence'. 26th March 2018 The Bay Post reported "The $26 million in funding includes $18 million for the aquatic centre, and $8 million for the arts and cultural facilities. The funding will come from the NSW Government’s $1.3 billion Regional Growth Fund." On the 15th August 2018 the Hon. LYNDA VOLTZ asked a question without notice directed to the Minister for Resources, Minister for Energy and Utilities, and Minister for the Arts. Given the Premier and the member for Bega jointly announced on 26 March that they would provide $26 million for a new indoor aquatic and cultural centre at Batemans Bay consisting of $18 million for the aquatic centre and $8 million for the arts and cultural facility, where will the $8 million for the arts and cultural component be drawn from ? The Hon. DON HARWIN: As I informed the House yesterday, people should be aware that the Regional Cultural Fund round two is open. I imagine this project would be eligible but I need to check if there is an existing funding agreement. The Hon. DON HARWIN (Minister for Resources, Minister for Energy and Utilities, and Minister for the Arts) (15:31): I may have covered this question in my answer yesterday but, if I did not, it is planned that round two announcements will be made before the end of this calendar year. I cannot be more specific at this stage. The Hon. Peter Primrose: It is supposed to be a competitive process and you are announcing it already. In October 2018, the Australian Government assigned $25M to the project, and invited Council to submit a FULL business case to the Regional Growth Fund for assessment. What is known in regards to the Federal Grant was that the business plan adopted by Council in August 2017 WAS NOT a full business plan and clearly advised it was NOT to be used for the purpose of grant applications. Between October 2018 and April 2019 the application for the $25m was assessed and found to comply. In an email to FOI@infrastructure.gov.au on 31st October 2018 by The Beagle " The Eurobodalla Shire Council, in having been successful in Round one of the Regional Growth Grants will now be required to prepare a Full Business Case. In a telephone call to your office it was confirmed that candidates are provided a template to assist with that Full Business Case. For the purpose of news, so as to ascertain if the Full Business Case takes into consideration the ongoing affordability of ratepayers to support such new infrastructure without it becoming a financial burden, I request a copy of the default template to establish what criteria is measured under a Full Business Case and to determine if there is due diligence paid to the proven affordability of such a grant without it becoming a financial risk requiring either a rate increase or a removal of services. As the Full Business Case template will have no information on it whatsoever I would not consider it impinging on any commercial in confidence. Once the Eurobodalla Council provide their Full Business Case I will be seeking a copy of that document as well." A formal request by for that application has been refused by Council so the application details and business case presented remain unseen. NOTE: November 2019 The Australian National Audit Office found and revealed that the assessment processes for a separate round of Regional Jobs and Investment Packages (that included Gilmore) were "not to the standard required by the grants administration framework" and that "there was insufficient evidence that each of the more than 60 individuals that undertook the assessments received adequate training. Feb 20 2019 the Mayor stated “We intend to deliver a centre with a 25 metre, 10 lane indoor pool, a warm water therapy pool, learn to swim pool, water slides and a splash pad for the kids. There’ll (There will) be a café and fitness areas, and on the arts side, we’ll (we will) have a 350-seat theatre, dance and rehearsal studios and community meeting rooms to complete the centre. The 2019 New South Wales state election was held on Saturday 23 March 2019 to elect the 57th Parliament of New South Wales On April 1st, 2019 the then Federal Member for Gilmore, Ann Sudmalis revealed federal funding of $25 million for the construction of the Regional Aquatic, Arts and Leisure Precinct at Mackay Park, Batemans Bay. This was 11 days before the Federal Election was announced to be held Saturday 18 May 2019 . June 4, 2019 - David Maclachlan: President of Batemans Bay Business and Tourism Chamber address to Council regarding the Batemans Bay Community Centre motion PE19/001 and the presented petition of approximately 1000 signatures concerning the future of the Batemans Bay Community Centre. January 18th, 2020 Questions asked around Mackay Park Federal Funding Question: Is the Federal Government grant of $25m for the Mackay Park Leisure Centre embroiled in the latest Community Sport Infrastructure Program controversy regarding the Government's $100 million pre-election sports grants scheme? No. The $25 million, granted to the project, came instead from the equally controversial Regional Growth Fund. Presentation: Bay Pavilions Financial Performance Maureen Searson Councillors, I am not able to attend the council meeting tomorrow to speak on GMR23/031. Here is my presentation. Firstly thank for... Aug 15, 2023 Editorial Aug 11th 2023 Welcome to this week’s editorial, At the next Council meeting on Tuesday 15th of August 2023 a scathing report will be tabled on the... Aug 13, 2023 Bay Pavilions review in focus The final report of KPMG’s review of Bay Pavilions will be presented at next week’s Council meeting. The review, ordered by general... Aug 9, 2023 Diving in the Deep End : The review At the Eurobodalla Council meeting of Tuesday 28th March 2023 the Councillors voted unanimously to the motion: THAT Council supports the... Apr 12, 2023 Batemans Bay bowling club site ready for sale Eurobodalla Council’s general manager Warwick Winn will soon be engaged in talks with two different developers, looking for the best... Feb 22, 2023 Will The Pav get a mention in the NSW ICAC forum into pork barrelling? When Deputy Premier John Barilaro and then-arts minister Don Harwin signed off on the Regional Cultural Fund grants in late 2018 a Bega... Jun 3, 2022 Psssst: want to buy an used bowling club Council are now looking to sell the Batemans Bay Bowling Club site and have it on the market via an agent and it is listed on Domain as: ... Jun 3, 2022 Bay Pav costs revealed and there are more questions than answers With a seventy million dollar budget ($26.6 State, $25 Federal, $19m Council) that was committed to the Bay Pavilion project it has been... May 19, 2022 What use Bay bowling club site? Eurobodalla Council will soon seek expressions of interest for development of the former Batemans Bay Bowling Club site. Council... Feb 9, 2022 Old Bowling Club site: still no interest in this Gateway to the Bay Above: Council advert found in Financial Review After buying the Old Batemans Bay Bowling Club in 2016 for $2.7 million with the... Jan 13, 2022 Am I missing something The Beagle Editor, Being a part time resident, spending half the year at Malua Bay and the rest of the year in Goulburn I take an... Nov 19, 2021 The waft of pork lingers over Bay Pavilion theatre Eurobodalla Council lodged a grant application for the new Batemans Bay pool with NSW Sport. The business case they lodged was not fit... Oct 21, 2021 Council decides to remove $2.50 spectator fee at new pool Coming under intense criticism the Eurobodalla Council has decided to remove the proposed $2.50 spectator fee that was to be applied to... Oct 18, 2021 What if you build it and nobody comes? Can we have a close look at the new Bay Pavilion 350 seat theatre. In March 2018 Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Bega MP Andrew Constance... Oct 12, 2021 The Gladys pork-chop legacy for Eurobodalla In November 2020 the New South Wales premier, Gladys Berejiklian, conceded that $140m in grants to councils that were approved in the... Oct 2, 2021 Can we trust the bean counters over the Bay Pavilion fees. Show us the sums Presentation to Council Public Forum session by Lei Parker - Aug 24th 2021 CAR21/016 FEES AND CHARGES - OPERATING THE BAY PAVILIONS ... Aug 22, 2021 Council to consider proposed Bay Pavilion fees Council have determined the entrance and hire fees for the new Bay Pavilion. A report advising the fees will go before Councillors on... Aug 19, 2021 $300,000 per year and the Yuin Theatre is yours As Council gears itself up to open the $71 million Bay Pavilions in early 2022 they face the task of finding someone prepared to manage... Jun 6, 2021 Expressions of interest sought for former bowling club site Expressions of interest are being sought from developers for the sale or lease of the former bowling club site in Batemans Bay.... Jun 1, 2021 Old Bowling Club site: a true landmark opportunity with a "potential" 30m high tower Above: Council advert found in Financial Review After buying the Old Batemans Bay Bowling Club in 2016 for $2.7 million with the... May 29, 2021 Are you Council's new Aquatic and Arts Contract Coordinator? Council is currently calling for tenders for the management and operation of the Batemans Bay Regional Aquatic, Arts and Leisure Centre... May 21, 2021 Batemans Bay Bowling Club: show us the valuations Parallels are being voiced today around the acquisition of the Batemans Bay Bowling Club site and the findings of the NSW Auditor-General... May 19, 2021 Mackay Park Precinct : What's new and what's rumoured Long before the recent revelations that Council has been holding back financial details around the projected incomes and expenditures of... May 10, 2021 How much will it cost to go to the new Bay Pool? No-one knows. In the last Council report our councillors were presented with the Draft Fees and Charges for 2021-2022. Their task was to approve the... May 2, 2021 OPEN LETTER TO ESC’s GENERAL MANAGER : $19 million debt to be funded by ratepayers Dear Beagle Editor, Your readers may be interested in my latest correspondence with ESC’s General Manager. ----------------------------... Apr 28, 2021 Making sense of the "Milkshake" video In an effort to educate Years 10 to 12 on sexual consent a video was made. The video went down like a lead balloon. It was considered... Apr 21, 2021 Mackay Park project: Brand peek and naming ideas Eurobodalla residents have an opportunity this month to put forward names for three spaces in the new aquatic and arts centre in Batemans... Apr 14, 2021 What do you think of calling Mackay Park pool and theatrette a "Pavillion" Brand design specialist CITIZEN is working as a consultant with Council on coming up with branding designs and naming of the Mackay Park... Feb 18, 2021 Council looking for a name for Mackay Park Regional pool and theatre Eurobodalla Council are asking "What’s in a name?" and are asking the community to "help shape new centre’s brand." Stakeholder... Jan 30, 2021 Questions around Council's planned Batemans Bay Bowling Club redevelopment The Beagle Editor, The community in Batemans Bay is right to be alarmed about discussions Council is having with developers about the... Jan 24, 2021 Are Council's Audit Committee just parrots offering half informed opinions? On the 28th of July 2020 the Eurobodalla Councillors were presented with a staff recommendation that: - Council endorses the selection... Jan 20, 2021 Mackay Park: Should the Audit Committee have scrutinised the FULL business case It is difficult to forget Clr Constable’s impassioned plea for advice before committing ratepayers to the $19 million cost blow out for... Jan 16, 2021 Batemans Bay regional aquatic, arts and leisure centre $200,000 public art commission Closing date: Thursday 4 February 2021, 4.00pm Eurobodalla Council is calling for expressions of interest from professional artists... Jan 13, 2021 Councillors beginning to panic over Mackay Park blowout and ongoing costs Councillors beginning to panic over Mackay Park blowout and ongoing costs.This doesn't auger well for them just nine months out from a... Jan 13, 2021 The more we learn, the less we know about the Mackay Park project In August 2020, after two weeks of accepting a tender to construct the Mackay Park Pool the Council still had not told the public who the... Jan 9, 2021 Ground water pumping of Mackay Park to cease: outcome unknown Members of the community are alarmed to hear that Eurobodalla Council intends to remove the standpipe on Mackay Park and stop pumping the... Jan 8, 2021 Eurobodalla Council makes National News for all the wrong reasons In her article of January 5th, 2021 published nationally on the MichaelWest network titled "In too deep: when Gladys’ and John’s rorts go... Jan 7, 2021 The Knowns and Unknown of the $70m Mackay Park Centre A quick overview. On July 29th, 2020 the Mayor advised her councillors that "the community knows what the community knows". The... Dec 19, 2020 BBay community to be short-changed horribly doing the NSW Gov’t’s job with the ratepayers money The Beagle Editor, The layout of the BBCC was thoughtfully designed by Phil Rose a local Narooma architect of long standing and... Dec 13, 2020 Is the massive blowout in Mackay Park reason to sell the Community Centre and kick everyone out The Beagle Editor, For the interest of your readers I provide a copy of a letter I have sent to Council. General Manager and all the... Nov 23, 2020 Did the General Manager breach the Local Government ACT. And who shall decide? The community are becoming aware of the fact that the General Manager did not advise councillors of material correspondence from the... Nov 14, 2020 You be the judge: was critical info withheld from councillors: would it have made a difference The Short Version: The Council's General Manager has advised today she did not provide councillors with correspondence from the Office... Nov 11, 2020 Berejiklian Government’s Leader of the Legislative Council, Don Harwin suspended from Upper House In a media release this morning it has been revealed that the Berejiklian Government’s Leader of the Legislative Council, Don Harwin, was... Oct 21, 2020 Oh what a tangled web Council has woven for itself What a mess. The community rightfully protested yesterday outside the Batemans Bay Community Centre to tell Innes and her block of... Oct 3, 2020 Construction begins on new aquatic, arts centre Construction of the Batemans Bay Aquatic, Arts and Leisure Centre has officially begun, with a sod-turning ceremony marking the occasion... Sep 25, 2020 Council advises it is aware of its financial obligations after the new BBay pool opens At the last meeting of Eurobodalla Council Councillors Mayne, Constable and McGinlay showed their concern around the cost burden to... Aug 20, 2020 Much still remains unknown around the Council purchase of the BBay Bowling Club With most Eurobodalla Councillors now voting to move forward with the $70 million Mackay Park Pool and Hall project on the existing 50m... Aug 17, 2020 Mackay Park project: Not so Done and Dusted After two weeks of accepting a tender to construct the Mackay Park Pool the Council still has not told the public who the winning... Aug 14, 2020 Club Catalina now debt free but questions still linger on sale of BBay Bowling Club Club Catalina have announced they have paid off their debt to ANZ and celebrate being debt free. While many clubs have been facing down... Aug 14, 2020 just a slight hiccup in Council's plans to sell the BBay Information Centre and historic cemetery Eurobodalla Council has identified that it intends to sell the Batemans Bay Information Centre (they expect $1m from the sale when listed... Aug 12, 2020

Lei Parker has been a resident of Eurobodalla for 37 years In that time he has committed to 13 years as a presenter and committee member of local community radio station 2EARFM before calling it a day to undertake overseas travels and foreign aid assignments Lei also worked at Eurobodalla Shire Council in the surveying and engineering sections for twenty one years before retiring in 2006. During his time with Council Lei was the recipient of several industry awards for his work in Asset Management and the development of ground breaking facility data systems. Lei has committed himself to his Tuross Head community since first arriving in 1985 establishing a community website (www.turosshead.org ) promoting the town, but also serving to present the history and the community diversity. Wanting to ensure the community had solid, reliable communications in case of accident, flood or fire Lei established the Tuross Head Facebook page in August 2008 and has managed it since. The page now has in excess of 7000 followers and played a vital role in community communications during to 2019 summer fires. Lei has long served on the committees of the Tuross Head Progress Association and the Tuross Head Business Association actively advocating on behalf of his community. He created a Tuross Head news paper in 1999. For the first 18 months it was weekly and then as his overseas journeys demanded more time he produced the Tuross Giant monthly. It was this paper that saw the evolution of the free community focused Beagle in October 2016 which has become the leading on-line newspaper for the Eurobodalla community. In addition to The Beagle Lei produces the comprehensive weekly real estate guide beagle abode t hat promotes local independent realtors and gives them an affordable outlet for their marketing. Since starting the Beagle newspaper that covers the shire from Sth Durras to Tilba, Lei has provided a voice for the community that now enjoys local, quality, and timely news via a website, social media and via his twice-weekly subscriber emails that have now reached 300+ weeks of Beagle Weekenders (with just a single edition (Sept 23rd 2022) being missed due to major surgery), all from his ever present laptop, irrespective of where he is or might be travelling to. The Beagle Facebook page now has in excess of 12000 followers. It too played a vital role in community communications during to 2019 summer fires. The South Coast Beagle Pty Ltd is also the owner of the South Coast Travel Guide . The South Coast Travel Guide website was officially launched on November 1st 2017 and is a comprehensive, one stop website launched to cover everything a visitor needs to know of the 110kms of Eurobodalla coastline, from South Durras to The Tilbas. Miss Pip is in charge of grammar

All your weekend info for what's on in Eurobodalla Beagle Weekender of Sept 8th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of Sept 1st 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of Aug 25th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of Aug 18th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of Aug 11th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of July 28th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of July 21st 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of July 14th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of July 7th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of June 30th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of June 23rd 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of June 16th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of June 9th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of June 2nd 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of May 26th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of May 19th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of May 12th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of May 5th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of April 21st 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of April 14th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of April 7th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of March 17th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of March 10th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of March 3rd 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of February 24th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of February 17th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of February 10th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of February 3rd 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of January 27th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of January 20th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of January 13th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of January 6th 2023 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of December 30th 2022 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of December 23rd 2022 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of December 16th 2022 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of December 9th 2022 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of December 2nd 2022 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of November 25th 2022 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of November 18th 2022 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of November 11th 2022 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of November 4th 2022 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of October 28th 2022 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of October 21st 2022 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of October 14th 2022 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of October 7th 2022 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of September 30th 2022 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of September 16th 2022 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of September 9th 2022 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of September 2nd 2022 OUT NOW Beagle Weekender of August 26th 2022 OUT NOW Top of Page

Norm Moore Vale: Norm Moore 24/4/2022 Aged 92 years Loving husband of Helen; father and friend. Norman’s relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral... Apr 26, 2022 Moruya Dusk Service and new Memorial Stone The very first "DUSK SERVICE" at the going down of the sun took place at the World War 2 RAAF Bunkers on the 25th of April 2021. ... Apr 25, 2021 Moruya granite protected by police: (actually Cook's statue but the plinth is important too) Little do the police or protestors realise that the plinth that the statue of Cook is standing on is made of Moruya Granite Photo by... Jun 12, 2020 Louttit and Moruya Granite history launch Mar 15th in Moruya Though Moruya and the South Coast might well have a rich past it is only via the passion of just a few who ensure that history is... Mar 14, 2019 From pioneering in Moruya to jet streams around the world - The Preddeys The Beagle Editor, You may recall a story on Rex Aviation some time back, where a spokesperson indicated concern that International... Nov 29, 2018 Moruya's Jessie Pollock celebrates 101 Moruya's Jessie Pollock celebrates her 101st birthday on Tuesday November 7th. Last year Jessie received congratulatory letters from the... Nov 7, 2018 The Forgotten History Of Louttit’s Quarry & Construction Of Captain Cook’s Monument. Part 1 The record of historical events linking Moruya to early colonisation and growth of NSW from 1788 to 1939 (start of WW2) is unique, and... Jul 10, 2018 Part 2. Moruya: Town of Pioneers, Picks, Shovels & Convicts Part 2. Moruya: Town Of Pioneers, Picks, Shovels & Convicts. Convict George Preddey & His Locksmith Grandsons: The year of 1827, in which... Jun 16, 2018 The Preddy story still continues in the skies over Moruya Dear Beagle Editor, Your recent story on Rex Airlines brought to mind a conversation some years back, with John Preddey, (former CEO of... May 15, 2018 Wake up Moruya Dear Beagle Editor, Last week i read an article in the Sun Herald referring to a $50 million redevelopment of Cook's landing place at... May 5, 2018 Just ticking little ticky tacky boxes The Beagle Editor, I would like to reply to a recent report that ESC has adopted a new heritage strategy put forward by their Heritage... Feb 1, 2018 Moruya: Town Of Pioneers-Picks-Shovels & Convicts. Part 1. Moruya: Town Of Pioneers-Picks-Shovels & Convicts. The Unique Story of Arthur Halley Preddey. Foreword: For those of you who... Nov 11, 2017 Moruya's Jessie Pollock celebrates 100 Moruya's Jessie Pollock will celebrate her 100th birthday on Tuesday November 7th. Jessie has received congratulatory letters from the... Nov 6, 2017 The Forgotten History Of Louttit's Quarry & Captain Cook's Monument Part 6 The unique story of Colonial Architect James Johnstone Barnet Foreword: We start our story with a brief summary of events & happenings... Aug 3, 2017 Heritage and Tourism go by the wayside as Moruya's rich history dims On April 23rd, 2013 a report to the ordinary meeting of Eurobodalla Council advised councillors of a proposal presented by Mr Norman... Jul 12, 2017 The Forgotten History of Louttit’s Quarry & Captain Cook’s Monument Part 5 International builder John Young. Foreward: Shirley Jurmann (nee Louttit) has put together the most complete of profiles on the life of... Jul 9, 2017 The Forgotten History Of Louttit's Quarry& Captain Cook's Monument Part 4. The Forgotten History Of Louttit's Quarry& Captain Cook's Monument Part 4. Further research has added a deal of complexity to our... Jun 25, 2017 The Forgotten History Of Louttit's Quarry & Captain Cook's Monument Part 3 The Foundation Stone Ceremony For Captain Cook’s Monument. “A meeting with Royalty for Joseph Louttit’s granite” Queen Victoria was... Jun 12, 2017 The Forgotten History of Louttit’s Quarry & Construction Of Captain Cook’s Monument. Part 2 Prelude: Nearly two and a half centuries have passed since Captain Cook sailed up the East Coast of Australia on his journey of... May 30, 2017 Top of Page

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Editorial Guidelines: The South Coast Beagle Pty Ltd abides by: MEAA Journalist Code of Ethics Australian Press Council’s Statements of Principles Facebook News Feed Publisher Guidelines and acts in accordance with the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance Code of Ethics for journalists and/or the Australian Press Council’s Standards of Practice and Advisory Guidelines. We endeavor to provide: an ongoing commitment to factual accuracy, balance and ethical reporting; adherence of accountability of contributors and journalists when sourced; transparency of, and means to adequately address, any claims of bias in reporting; a means to address conflicts of interest held by publishers, journalists and advertising sales staff a robust and transparent process for dealing with complaints about the content we publish If you wish to complain about editorial content please follow the steps below. Please note this policy only applies to complaints about editorial content in our publications and the digital services that we control. For complaints regarding media releases we will direct you to those parties. Please write or email us with details of your complaint. The address for written complaints is PO Box 3029, Tuross Head, NSW 2537. Our email is beagleweeklynews@gmail.com Complaints must include a link to the relevant webpage, if the complaint is about online material or the publication title, date, page and headline and any other documents that will help us assess your complaint. We aim to acknowledge your complaint within five working days of receipt. We will respond to all complaints within 28 days of receiving all the necessary information to allow us to investigate. If we accept that your complaint is valid, we will seek to remedy the breach as quickly as possible, in the next printed edition or immediate if it is an online complaint, with a correction or apology. When handling your complaint you will be treated fairly, courteously and with respect. We may decline to consider any complaint that is abusive or gratuitously offensive. If at any stage of your complaint we do not hear back from you within 14 days, we will consider your complaint satisfied and closed. If you are unhappy with our final response to your complaint you may complain to Australian Press Council. www.presscouncil.org.au AS at February 8th 2022 comments were no longer accepted on articles. (they have since been reinstated for members ONLY) The fact of the February 8th 2022 decision was that each and every comment MUST be moderated by myself before it was published. That process required that I read every single comment and then either Approve or Refuse. If I Approve the comment I become the publisher of that comment and, as such, become liable for that comment. It would be me who is sued for your defamatory remark. Rather than pore over every comment and make the decision to publish or not I felt it was safer for me to no longer provide the outlet. This was a shame because there are excellent commentators here who abide by the rules but alas, they are outnumbered by the continued stream of keyboard warriors who wish to express themselves outside of the rules of publishing. On 8 September 2021, the High Court ruled that media outlets are legally responsible for defamatory comments made by the public on posts published on an organisation's Facebook pages. The decision has consequences for all media organisations who run social media pages or have commenting features on their websites. If the default setting enabling comments on a post is not changed, this is considered to be an invitation or encouragement to comment. If someone posts a defamatory comment - the media organisation who owns the page is legally considered a "publisher" of the comments and can be sued. Due to the risks associated with comments from unidentified contributors that expose The Beagle to possible legal actions under the NSW Defamation Act 2005 No 77 comments were NO LONGER available. More recent comments made by Members are being very closely monitored and any breeches will see the Member blocked, the coment removed and possibly the removal of the commenting and Members Forum section removed as well. PS. Feel free to email us via our normal or encrypted email accounts. Letters to the Editor are encouraged. Please note that if you are looking for a previous comment that is no longer visible please contact us . And before you consider any proceedings of defamation: DEFAMATION ACT 2005 - SECT 25 Defence of justification 25 Defence of justification It is a defence to the publication of defamatory matter if the defendant proves that the defamatory imputations carried by the matter of which the plaintiff complains are substantially true. DEFAMATION ACT 2005 - SECT 31 Defences of honest opinion 31 Defences of honest opinion (1) It is a defence to the publication of defamatory matter if the defendant proves that-- (a) the matter was an expression of opinion of the defendant rather than a statement of fact, and (b) the opinion related to a matter of public interest, and (c) the opinion is based on proper material . (2) It is a defence to the publication of defamatory matter if the defendant proves that-- (a) the matter was an expression of opinion of an employee or agent of the defendant rather than a statement of fact, and (b) the opinion related to a matter of public interest, and (c) the opinion is based on proper material . (3) It is a defence to the publication of defamatory matter if the defendant proves that-- (a) the matter was an expression of opinion of a person (the "commentator" ), other than the defendant or an employee or agent of the defendant, rather than a statement of fact, and (b) the opinion related to a matter of public interest, and (c) the opinion is based on proper material . (4) A defence established under this section is defeated if, and only if, the plaintiff proves that-- (a) in the case of a defence under subsection (1)--the opinion was not honestly held by the defendant at the time the defamatory matter was published, or (b) in the case of a defence under subsection (2)--the defendant did not believe that the opinion was honestly held by the employee or agent at the time the defamatory matter was published, or (c) in the case of a defence under subsection (3)--the defendant had reasonable grounds to believe that the opinion was not honestly held by the commentator at the time the defamatory matter was published. (5) For the purposes of this section, an opinion is "based on proper material" if-- (a) the material on which it is based is-- (i) set out in specific or general terms in the published matter, or (ii) notorious, or (iii) accessible from a reference, link or other access point included in the matter (for example, a hyperlink on a webpage), or (iv) otherwise apparent from the context in which the matter is published, and (b) the material-- (i) is substantially true, or (ii) was published on an occasion of absolute or qualified privilege (whether under this Act or at general law), or (iii) was published on an occasion that attracted the protection of a defence under this section or section 28 or 29 . (6) An opinion does not cease to be based on proper material only because some of the material on which it is based is not proper material if the opinion might reasonably be based on such of the material as is proper material. Further reading