New Noosa?
I have relatives living in Bermagui and have been travelling there and been resident for varying periods for the past 27 years. The new development is what it is...a monolithic block which will clearly impact the "character " of the foreshore; and will adversely affect the views and potential sale value of all those residents in several streets behind Lamont Street. This one development casts a bigger impediment to resident's views and amenity than the Woolworths store.
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Clearly the council has determined that Bermagui is to go the same way as the Noosa township on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
A cynic could suggest that council is hoping that a modern township will increase property values along the foreshore with the intention that rateable values increase which will hopefully offset the decrease in property values in the dozens of affected houses.
I cannot help but feel that Bermagui is about to lose the character that makes it such a popular town to retire in or visit during long weekends and holidays. What's next, McDonalds?
Glenn Woodard, Bingie
Review decision
This is a comment on a proposed three-storey development in the Bermagui CBD on the main street. I hope the council finds a bit more courage to review this development even it goes to court - that's what all these processes are for when there is a development that pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable.
This is truly an arrogant, inconsiderate and obtuse building to dump in the middle of a small town. I wonder if they think they will be accepted into the community with open arms! Please review this, and goodness, a two-storey building in this spot would still have a pleasant view!
Tjenka Murray, Bega
Industry's glass jaw
The tourism industry/visitor economy has been riding the crest of a wave for over a decade. Suddenly in the past year its world crashed with the bushfires, the floods, the sleeping giant of the drought and in January the emergence of the coronavirus. Bad luck normally runs in threes, but this has exposed the industry's lack of preparation and highlights its glass jaw.
The time is right to push the reset button on our industry, the "Visitor Economy". Our operators need to step up to the plate. There are many different scenarios/issues that are not being addressed.
I have held a positions of chair for several associations local, state and national and witnessed much argy bargy, low levels of collaboration and at the national level much breast beating that each association is the peak industry body (gods knows what that means?).
What we need to witness is the tourism bodies of Australia working closely together at this time when crisis calls for creative solutions.
The industry is extremely fragile at present. We need leadership that can advise the government re planning that will take the industry to new levels.
At the national level a sensible approach is required, an approach that can consolidate the industry.
Fortunately time is on our side, modern technology is on our side. We need to develop long term plans that prepare the industry for new challenges and opportunities.
For those who believe we can just flick the switch and the visitors will return - think again. Our world will be different, our consumers will have a different mindset and the economy, the supply chain and our consumers' spend will have changed. We as an industry need to plan for this as all the marketing in the world can't put money in people's/travellers pockets to spend on short-term breaks or holidaying at home.
This crisis is an opportunity for the tourism industry to move beyond old habits and to reset. It's a great moment for collaborative leadership.
