One measure of the success of last week’s “Bega Valley Roundtable” is the fact that only 66 people have watched & listened to the talkfest since it was conducted.
In the view of the association, the reason that the Roundtable will make little difference to our future was best summed-up by the Executive Chairman of Bega Cheese, Barry Irvin, who reminded all those in attendance that the challenges confronting the Bega Valley existed long before the recent bushfires & Covid2019 pandemic came-along.
Using Bega Cheese as a perfect example, Mr Irvin highlighted how a willingness to take risks & embrace innovation can produce extraordinary outcomes to the benefit of everyone, with the company today employing more than 2,200 employees dwarfing the original co-operative that employed just 66 people.
Former Mayor, Kristy McBain & current Mayor, Sharon Tapscott, both confirmed that they were looking to the Roundtable to produce actions with outcomes, in particular opportunities for future economic growth, but they brought no ideas to the table themselves.
Having listened to the Roundtable proceedings, the association heard little in the way of practical ideas that could address the challenge laid down by McBain & Tapscott & recover the $218M in local GDP lost to recent events, let alone to create a new foundation for the shire’s economic future.
Now the association doesn’t pretend that it has all the answers that McBain, Tapscott & so many others are looking for but it agrees with Mr Irvin’s thesis on the importance of collective thinking & wisdom & with that in-mind, it sought the ideas of its members & how they might help produce the outcomes everyone is hoping for.
One member asked why there is no major state of federal government body located in the shire, which, offering employment to as many of 500 people would contribute as much as $50M annually to the local economy just through payroll, while generating significant economic activity as a direct result of its presence.
A job for our politicians but it is an idea that has breathed economic growth into other regional areas & there is no reason why it would not do the same here.
Another member questioned the fact that we do not have a “one-stop” Convention Centre in the Bega Valley that can provide an integrated facility consisting of conference facilities & accommodation for 100-150 attendees; perhaps a joint venture that could be put together by our major clubs on a golf course?
The association believes that such a facility could provide a wonderful opportunity to showcase the Bega Valley to local & international opinion makers, providing the basis for real tourism success around high value, low volume tourist visitation that does not stress infrastructure or endanger the quality of life that we all value so strongly.
Another member asked why we don’t have Drive-In Movie Theatres in the Bega Valley offering an alternate entertainment option for locals & visitors of all ages.
Another asked what had happened to plans for an Indigenous Cultural Centre in the Bega Valley & given calls for more cultural tourism that were made during the roundtable, it’s an excellent question.
Another asked what had happened to the $3M promised by the Member for Bega, Andrew Constance, to restore the roof of the Old Bega Hospital Community Centre on Corkhill Place in Bega, which has the potential to turn into a major community-driven, year-round, tourist attraction, while strengthening the activities of the community groups involved.
As most residents & ratepayers in the Bega Valley appreciate, council is always crying poor, having consistently demonstrated its inability to cut its cloth according to the means of the community.
One of our members suggested that if council really needs more money to pursue its ambitions, why it is not pursuing the state & federal governments to contribute to the maintenance of local roads they use to access National Parks & State Forests but, more importantly, why can’t they at least pay rates & charges on any of that land leased/utilised for commercial purposes?
And why are Churches exempt from rates & charges?
While the ideas ventured by members of the association may not appeal to everyone, the fact is that our community will only succeed in building a successful future if those anointed as its leaders are serious about consulting the community about that future & listening to their suggestions & ideas as to how best to make it happen.
Otherwise we will all just continue to howl at the Moon.
John Richardson
Secretary/Treasurer
Bega Valley Shire Residents & Ratepayers Association
Tel: 0264945669
Email: secretary@begavalleyshireratepayers.asn.au
Website: http://www.begavalleyshireratepayers.asn.au
CC: Member for Bega