But he then goes on to list scientific reasons for doubting the immense body of evidence that shows us so clearly what peril we are in if we don’t act to counter this change. 

Can’t have it both ways Neville – either science is valid or it aint.

If you don’t like science, stop using it.

Mr Hughes uses extremely dubious “data” and he’s not of the generation who’ll be picking up the pieces once the sea levels have taken all our beach-front homes, beaches and probably some of the residents of Surf Beach.  

It’s time to stop printing this nonsense, Ed. Neville’s had his say.

*Reference: “Ninety-seven percent of climate scientists agree that climate-warming trends over the past century are very likely due to human activities, and most of the leading scientific organisations worldwide have issued public statements endorsing this position” NASA, http://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/

Jo Dodds

Bega

Once upon a time, the residents/ratepayers of Bega owned a town hall that had been built and paid for by the community and operated by a voluntary committee of residents/ratepayers to serve its needs and interests (BDN, 14/7).

Then, in the wake of its decision to support the Woolworths development in Bega, Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC) decided the shire needed a new “Civic Centre” to cater for the future needs of our community.

Fast forward some six years and the BVSC has decided to pursue expressions of interest from venue management companies to identify the most appropriate management model that should be adopted to govern the future operation of this soon to completed facility.

In its report to council, BVSC management stated “the centre will be a regional facility that has the capacity to attract a range of local, regional, interstate and international acts as well as a range of community uses, including conferences, graduations, civic events and council meetings”.

While all this may be true, the Bega Valley Shire Residents and Ratepayers Association (BVSRRA) questions how closely BVSC’S aspirations for the Civic Centre reflect those of the community that is paying for it?

Before getting too carried away with debates about management models, the BVSRRA believes it is crucial that questions going to the fundamental “vision” for the new Civic Centre are addressed first.

Is its primary purpose to serve the interests of the community, by providing community organisations, including voluntary groups, with ready access to affordable facilities for their meetings/functions/concerts/exhibitions/activities, including community fundraising activities?

Or does BVSC see the new Civic Centre as being more akin to an “entertainment venue”, driven by commercial priorities and financial imperatives that may not necessarily align with the needs and expectations of our community and which may wind up excluding those same community organisations/voluntary groups, simply because they may not be able to afford the cost?

When asked why council would not consider establishing a voluntary committee to take on the responsibility of running the new Civic Centre, BVSC management reportedly claimed “the complexities of a Civic Centre of this size means it is out of the range of voluntary management groups”.

Sadly, the BVSRRA believes this statement may reflect aspirations by BVSC for the Civic Centre significantly at odds with those of our community.

John Richardson, secretary

Bega Valley Shire Residents and Ratepayers Association