Dr Sue Mackenzie, President of the Batemans Bay Performance and Exhibition Centre Working Group Inc. (Perfex) will be officially presenting their petition to Council in the coming week requesting that Council maintain the Batemans Bay Community Centre as a viable ongoing community asset, not compromised by the development of the Mackay Park Indoor Aquatic and Arts centre.
Dr Mackenzie has been more than clear in her presentations and meetings with both Councillors and senior council staff that members of the community are looking for Council to give a definitive and clear, ongoing and reliable assurance that the future of the Batemans Bay Community Centre is guaranteed as a viable ongoing community asset, not compromised by the development of the Mackay Park Indoor Aquatic and Arts centre. "However, to date, despite several attempts at clarifying the situation, there is still a question mark on the future of the Batemans Bay Community Centre," Dr Mackenzie said
"The best we have so far has been in response to a question on notice that was provided on March 26th 2109 that says 'Council has not made a decision to sell the existing BBCC. It has been identified that it could possibly be sold or leased, to offset construction and/or ongoing operational costs associated with the proposed Aquatics, Arts and Leisure Centre.’ "The BBCC is owned by Council and is located on operational land, meaning that it can be sold or leased should Council resolve to do so." Eurobodalla Council "While questions as to why its disposal should be linked to Mackay Park at all still remain (noting that no such proviso was apparently required for the development of the BAS centre in Moruya), the main question is linked to meeting the broader needs of the wider community now and into the future." "Council has projected some 18% increase by 2035, with those being mostly over 60, so we know more and diverse community assets will be needed in the ongoing future, not less. These assets also need to be spread across the community and its central geography to ensure wide access to their resources, e.g. safe public toilets, diverse meeting and resource areas and easy, affordable access."
"Please, can we have a clear commitment to the general community that their community centre is to be retained and maintained for the community now and into the future?" It is understood that the petition will be tabled officially at the April 30th, 2019 Council meeting.
"Council has not made a decision to sell the existing BBCC. It has been identified that it could possibly be sold or leased, to offset construction and/or ongoing operational costs associated with the proposed Aquatics, Arts and Leisure Centre." Eurobodalla Council
