Now he finds himself more deeply involved in the community after he was asked by other property owners to be part of the call for a community meeting.

He believes that Merimbula has suffered from the Tura Beach and Bega developments and a lack of parking but he also thinks that a positive view is the way forward and is urging the community to attend the meeting on Thursday evening.

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"There's been a lot of talk of closing down Market Street or making it one way, a revival of the Alice Street car park and looking at Beach Street and the lake," Mr Marshall said.

"Ideas need to be kicked around and a consensus view formed so that council can get an idea. What should we be focusing on?"

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He promises to be "throwing in my two bob's worth".

"There's a lot to be said for having a positive view for the future," Mr Marshall whose properties include Jindabyne as well as Merimbula. He knows about town centres because he built Nuggets Crossing, the highly stylised shopping precinct in Jindabyne.

"I love the idea of Beach Street being opened up to the water with maybe some decking out there.

"It's not for me to tell people what to do but gosh this town needs to start a dialogue."

He believes the new Woolwortha and Aldi are positives for the town with all "the makings of a serious anchor at that part of town".

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He says he has interest in his own property in Merimbula from a couple of national retailers but isn't at a stage to say anything further.

"We've got to look at the lower part of town now," he said.