Council Candidates Marine Infrastructure Questionnaire Score Card

The Batemans Bay Boaters Association Inc has received all of the Council Candidate group's answers to the infrastructure questionnaire sent to them two weeks ago.

The top score of 82% went to the Mayne Team with Mat Hatcher a close second on 80%. Labor was not far behind on 73%.

Pollack, Harrison and Thomson teams scored low because they did not adequately answer the questions with a simple yes for many responses. The Greens team scored poorly for supporting the closure of the Clyde Street boat ramp in Batemans Bay.

It is evident from the answers that those on the podium understood the role and responsibilities of Council in implementing and funding marine infrastructure projects. The others showed a clear misunderstanding. Not only of the importance in terms of people and money that boating and fishing brings to the Shire but who pays for the facilities.  

While the ranking is important, what is more important is the consensus and commitments made in the responses.

What comes out of the answers is the following:

    *  Universal support for the establishment of a Council Marine Infrastructure Advisory Committee.

    *  Keeping the Clyde Street Boat ramp in Batemans Bay open indefinitely – Greens opposed this.

    *  Support for cleaner storm-water run off into the waterways.

    *  Immediate removal of water restrictions for boat wash-down at boatramps. Greens opposed this.

    *  The importance of the Batemans Bay foreshore with more focus on the water and the facilities such as floating pontoons to make water access easier for all.

    *  Acknowledgement that the allocation of Council funds to all outdoor activities should be improved and boatramps have lagged behind.

    *  There is a lack of understanding of who pays for what at the boatramps.

    *  Community run vessel storage, on and off the water, is now on the table for discussion.

    *  Community consultation is imperative to change the current culture of Eurobodalla Council.

The Association would like to thank each team for taking the time to complete the questionnaire. We hope that this will be the start of a fruitful discussion and we can support each new Councillor in their endeavours to improve the current situation regarding marine infrastructure facilities and to give greater focus on promoting events, and activities on our sea, rivers and estuaries.

Any person who may wish to see the detail may contact the Association.