The association believes that the shameful action by the NSW Department of Crown Lands (Crown Lands) in threatening to terminate the lease of the building housing the Marine Discovery Centre & six other local businesses at the Eden Wharf, which forced the Centre to enter into Voluntary Administration may have been a deliberate move designed to regain control of the building as a necessary step to its demolition & conversion into a carpark to service the needs of the new Welcome Centre.
While the association is aware of suggestions that the building may have been structurally unsafe when Crown Lands sold the lease to the Discovery Centre back in 2007, it also understands that Crown Lands has never spent a penny on rectifying its deficiencies, instead relying on the Centre to meet the impossible task of “maintaining” the dilapidated building knowing that it never had the resources to do so.
While politicians abroad over the length & breadth of the country this past week have talked about little else than the importance of government supporting the recovery of business, the NSW State Government has shown a callous disregard for the loss of
invaluable local businesses & jobs servicing our struggling tourism sector.
While the Eden community is reeling from this government betrayal, the association understands that not everyone is unhappy with the situation, in particular some involved with the Cruise Ship trade who apparently believe that the Marine Discovery Centre wasn’t “up market” enough to warrant inclusion in its grand plans.
The association finds it more than a little curious that no consideration appears to have been given to providing access for the Marine Discovery Centre & the other businesses to the new Welcome Centre, while the State & Federal Governments could find room to house tourist friendly services such as Police & Border Force commands, while Eden’s Information Centre is to be uprooted from its central location & relocated to the Welcome Centre.
Most curious of all is the deafening silence in response to this crime from the Member for Bega, Andrew Constance, who has been quoted as saying that “he was unable to get involved with commercial negotiations”.
What “commercial negotiations” is he talking about?
While Mr Constance always appears able to find millions for bike tracks, walkways & even airports without passengers when his supporters put their hands-up, it appears he can’t be found when it comes to protecting real businesses & real jobs vital to our community.
We can only hope that the people of Eden remember that in 2023.
The asociation wishes to acknowledge the outstanding contribution made by the Marine Discovery Centre to hundreds of communities & tens of thousands of students & tourist visitors to the region through its tireless efforts in educating & promoting the natural treasures of our region.
John Richardson
Secretary/Treasurer
Bega Valley Shire Residents & Ratepayers Association
Tel: 0264945669
Email: secretary@begavalleyshireratepayers.asn.au
Website: http://www.begavalleyshireratepayers.asn.au