Bigger than just this DA
As a member of the Pambula community for the past 14 years I feel a great connection to the town, and so I attended the meeting about the supermarket on Thursday night at the Surf Life Saving Club.
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I listened to a lot of BS, I listened to a couple of crazy people and also heard some very good and valid points on both sides.
I believe that this DA has far bigger implications than most of the points raised.
Bigger than:
* Pollution of Panboola.
* Flooding of neighbouring residents during big down pours.
* Increased traffic on an inadequate road network.
* Loss of foot traffic from the main street.
* Sound and light pollution.
* The fact that the town really can’t support two supermarkets.
Even though each of these points are important and need to be investigated further. I believe the bigger issue is that our council does not have a big picture plan for Pambula.
Are they simply going to approve every DA as long as it has the correct paperwork and all fees are paid, without any thought of what effect it might have on the community in 20 years time?
Stephen Irving
Bald Hills
Air service deregulation
So, the member for Bega and Minister for Transport & Infrastructure, Andrew Constance, wants to “de-regulate” regional air services because he claims that the current system is an “impediment” and “doesn’t achieve much” (‘Rex put on notice’, MNW, December 16)?
While Mr Constance is as entitled to his views as anyone-else, the Bega Valley Shire Residents & Ratepayers Association (BVSRRA) believes that, as a government minister, the very least he should be doing is explaining the basis of his beliefs and spelling-out exactly what system/process he believes should be put in-place to govern the operation of regional air services.
While everyone would love the “magic pudding” of greater choice and cheaper airfares, the BVSRRA believes that a free-for-all driven by the pursuit of a de-regulated market would not see the hoped for influx of tens of thousands of tourists eventuate, but might instead see the disappearance of a regular air service to the region, which might ultimately put the continuity of any service to the Far South Coast at risk.
The BVSRRA also believes that in supporting de-regulation of regional air services, Rex Airlines may have very different reasons than Mr Constance. The BVSRRA also understands that Rex has made it very clear that it would still need to retain its status as the sole operator on its current routes, including the Sydney/Merimbula route, if existing services were to be maintained.
The BVSRRA is also disappointed by Mr Constance’s apparent support for the widely discredited “build it and they will come” strategic approach to planning being pursued by Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC), in its attempt to fashion a future for Merimbula Airport.
Perhaps Mr Constance should spend less time talking-up the perceived problems with the existing arrangements for crucial regional services and more time articulating precisely how his proposals might overcome them?
John Richardson
Bega Valley Shire Residents & Ratepayers Association
Robin Hood says thanks
The Robin Hood Service Club would like to thank all who supported the Robin Hood Market throughout 2015.
The Christmas Hamper raffle was drawn on Sunday, December 13 and the winner was Annie Wilson from Pambula Beach.
We wish all a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.
Tony Toussaint
Robin Hood Service Club
