Shire conducts a dubious survey to support their views of the Batemans Bay Waterfront Master Plan.
In August and then again in November 2019 the Council along with their appointed consultants conducted "consultations" with the public regarding the "emerging ideas, concepts and options" for the CBD waterfront.
It was supported by the normal glossy documents, marketing hype and superficial explanation of the impact on the residents and visitors to the Bay.
While some ideas put forward by the consultants – Inspiring Place have to be supported such as the floating pontoons, removal of footpath barriers in Clyde Street, the renovation of the Boatshed fish shop and the upgrade of the Mara Mia Walkway and lighting there are others that must be classified as just impractical thought bubbles.
Two example are the below water-level – glass floor light installation – wave sound – play feature just waiting for the first king tide coastal low to flood the area while people walking on it waiting to receive an electrical shock.
The next is “Youth Central” situated right under the new bridge on a concrete “hard surfaced space with multiple play opportunities: skating, basketball, table tennis, etc. in a colourful setting by the sea.” This will be unsupervised with dangerous corners and activities, let alone a location for graffiti and as currently used for sly grog consumption and the formation of an artificial shopping trolley reef in the Clyde river.
As part of the consultation a three page survey was available to anyone and did ask where the respondents lived but the analysis did not differentiate this distinction so an overseas visitor carries as much weight as a local ratepayer.
There were 24 questions with the normal range of options from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Some example of questions:
- Upgrade park to include native play space
- Native walk link to Mackay Park
- Upgrade Mara Mia Walkway
Now how many people would strongly disagree with that type of question? Non
But how about these questions?:
- Youth Central- multiple play opportunities, market space, interpretive art etc
- Retain the boat ramp and trailer park BUT (this would prevent Youth Central…)
- Remove the boat ramp replace with Hardstand area, artworks interpretation as per RMS proposal)- not available for inspection.
Are those question phrased to be balanced?
From the 16,000 residents of the Bay only 85 responses where received – we don't know how many, but more than one, was written by the Shire themselves.
The results: Q8 - To retain the boat ramp = 34 that is 41% strongly agreed to retain the boat ramp 26% unsure while 33% disagreed. Well what was the respondents residential address? - unknown
Q9 – the concrete hardstand “Youth Central” 59 % agreed to its construction.
That was the November 2019 survey. It seems to have shaped and justified the current Draft Waterfront Master Plan which is out for comment and discussion.
This is your opportunity to have your say regarding the removal of the Southern Clyde Street Boat Ramp because in the current document it is to be removed and not replaced.
The Boating Now funds received from boat owners licences which was used to build this marine facility is planned to be taken away for good. There is no offset, no replacement and no recompense to the boat owners.
Use the link below to respond to the Eurobodalla Shire Council’s response form. If you own a vessel or have access to a boat mention that in your response plus highlight if you own or have access to a local residence. This will force the Council to start to count the real people to consult as part of their implementation plan.
Six words is sufficient: Retain the Clyde St Boat Ramp.
No comments:
Post a Comment