Word has it that as Bega prepared for the arrival of the “movers & shakers” for council’s all but forgotten Roundtable Event to sort-out the Shire’s economic future, preparations were also underway to close Merimbula Airport to allow for necessary survey work to be carried-out ahead of the planned runway extension works.
While some of the world’s self-proclaimed great minds generously gave of their time & wisdom in an attempt to secure the economic future of the Bega Valley, council apparently couldn’t extend the same courtesy to local business operators at the airport who, having received little or no warning of the closure, were left to cancel their arrangements & deal with their angry & frustrated customers & attendant financial losses.
As it turns out, the inconvenience visited on business operators at the airport was entirely unnecessary as the surveyors weren’t able to make it & the airport wasn’t closed. Apparently, the reason the surveyors had to cancel their visit is the fact that they are from Queensland & by travelling to Merimbula they would have apparently fallen foul of the Covid2019 restrictions.
Now some residents might wonder why council had gone to the trouble of trying to import surveyors from Queensland to work on the Merimbula Airport runway extension project, given that the south coast of NSW proudly boasts a strong cohort of very well qualified professionals in that regard. Just another of many inexplicable mysteries that seem to accompany just about everything that council does.
But our story hasn’t finished.
The assocition now understands the surveying will commence on Monday, September 7th. Apparently the airport will be closed for the week but REX Airlines & freight aircraft will still be allowed to come & go at pre-determined times. Flying training will not be allowed & other aircraft wanting to depart will be allowed at selected times. But at least business operators have been advised this time.
Many business operators at Merimbula Airport have long suffered at the hands of council, due to its apparent arrogant disregard for their interests & making life in an increasingly difficult economic climate even more difficult.
Operators wanting to keep aircraft at the airport were apparently advised recently that they would be required to arrange & maintain $20M in Public Liability Insurance to protect council & the airport from any damage that their aircraft might cause. Meanwhile, visitors owning aircraft can apparently fly-in to Merimbula, pay council $13.50 & stay seven days without any insurance being required at all.
Recently the state government came-up with another $4M to help feed the Shire’s
White Elephant through construction of a new taxi-way & road access for the planned General Aviation area. Apparently plans for the upgrade won’t include or benefit existing business operators who will continue to have to make do floating across the grass & mud in wet weather.
It seems our council couldn’t take care of a broken parking meter & couldn’t care less.
John Richardson
Secretary/Treasurer
Bega Valley Shire Residents & Ratepayers Association
Tel: 0264945669
Email: secretary@begavalleyshireratepayers.asn.au
Website: http://www.begavalleyshireratepayers.asn.au