Update on Shops and Park

After attending the meeting held by the Alliance on Tuesday 29th of November Burt and Lindsay have come to realise there is a lot of miss information going around.

A McDonalds and an Aldi

There was a lot of talk at the meeting, mostly from the residents of the old Catherine Hill Bay, that there is going to be a McDonalds and an Aldi Supermarket built in the area designated for retail space in Beaches Estate. We feel that this kind of talk is purely to spread rumors and misinformation to get people against the idea of any kind of shops in the area. Anyone with a reasonable amount of intelligence would know that McDonalds build their restaurants on or near the main road, not in the middle of a housing development. So, let's just put it to rest, we just want a Cafe and maybe a mixed business for now. Certainly, a large supermarket like Aldi would not be warranted.

All Fired Up

We were surprised by the number in attendance not supporting the action to obtain our shops and park. Some were actually proud of the fact that they stopped the construction of the original shops and basically said, if we could do it before we can do it again. There was about twenty-five people who attended this meeting, and most were all up in arms about the five-star hotel that might be built on the headland. Some got quite vocal and demanded that we all get together and stop the hotel before it even starts, most of the aggression came from the old Catho side namely the Progress Association members, who were the ones that, in the past, fought tooth and nail to stop the Beaches Development. At the last meeting with Brian Rose and the Beaches Action Group, we specifically told them that our main objective is to get the shops and park up and running now, not wait for Council to implement the grand plans for their recreation strategy for the whole of Catherine Hill Bay including a five-star hotel, and for Rose to make arrangements to just build the shops and park under the current zoning. Which he agreed to do. It would appear from the outburst at the Alliance meeting, that there is still an element in the community that does not want the shops and park, and these people are attempting to distract the residents by focusing on the possibility of a five-star hotel.

Cancelled Meeting with Rose

The Beaches Action Group had arranged a meeting with Brian Rose to be held on Wednesday the 30th of November, however, this meeting was cancelled once again at the last minute. We feel that we, as well as other stakeholders are being used as 'pawns' and being strung along by Rose Group to serve their own agenda. So now we need to re-think our strategies based on information from the residents of Moonee. We need to hear from anyone who was marketed shops and parks by Rose Group when purchasing after 2018, both in Beaches and Water Sound Estates. Please PM Burt Errington or go to the Webpage, Contact us and leave a message for Burt. ASAP. Bear in mind, at our last meeting with Rose, he told us that the build of the proposed hotel will be merged with the Catherine Hill Bay Master Concept plan, as per the wishes of LMCC. He also alluded to a time frame of about 5-10 years before the plan was realized. Although Rose did agree to put a DA forwarded for the shops and park, it seems that his plans have changed again, and he has put off any future meetings until the New Year. Not to be thwarted, we intend to stay on his back until we get a positive outcome.

We Need to stay FOCUSED

At the Alliance meeting it was suggested that a community survey would be taken about the Hotel, to see if the people in the area wanted such a hotel or not. The main aim of the Beaches Action Group and which we believe is of most importance, is to stay focused on getting our shops and park. Not to be waylaid by what might happen. The hotel is not our concern right now, we can't waste our energy and be distracted, which was proposed at their meeting. We would suggest to our members that if you are approached in relation to a survey reaffirm that you want the shops and parks first, then come back and ask me about a hotel.

Yasmin Catley MP

Yasmin Catley MP was invited to the meeting. Yasmin informed us of the coastal walkway that is planned, which passes through Catherine Hill Bay and will continue, hopefully, down towards the Lakes Surf Club at Budgewoi, which is the end of her jurisdiction. One person, the same one who mentioned Aldi, interrupted Yasmin, complaining that he did not want 100,000 people a day walking past and gawking at him. Yasmin then had to put him in his place by telling him that the cliff top walkway will be built on public land not his and it will be for the public to use. Thank you to Yasmin for clearing up more misinformation.

Council has no money

From what we have been told by Rose, LMCC does not have enough money to carry out all of the projects on their agenda, this is supported by one of LMCC posts on their Facebook page where they talk about all their upcoming projects. If you do get a chance to read it you will find most of the money is going towards planning, surveys, private consultants and everything else except the actual building and developing. LMCC needs tourism in our area to bring in much needed finances to pay for infrastructure and amenities. A five-star hotel with an international style restaurant overlooking the ocean would certainly do that. But remember, all this is only in the planning stages and won't happen for a very long time.

Remember our AIM

Let's not get dragged into the hotel argument. Let's not pay attention to the Progress Association and the Alliances distractions. The Beaches Action Group know that the Rose group is not honest with what they are telling us, however, we are not prepared to be stalled any further. We will keep pushing until something or someone gives, and we will do this with all of your support and backing.

Join or Register

If you haven't joined or registered yet, please do HERE the more people we have the more we strengthen our community's position.

Thank you

Burt