Infrastructure to meet needs should come first
What a pity our council didn’t have the foresight to include a performing arts centre when building the Veolia Arena, which is described as a multifunction complex built to meet the diverse needs of the Goulburn Mulwaree region.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
So, at all their discussions when proposing the Veolia centre, the councillors obviously didn’t even think of our talented performers? It was great they catered for the sports and racing people, but an inclusion of a stage for the many performing artists in our community would have saved all this banter about renovating the McDermott Centre. Cost, cost, cost would have come into the equation, but look at the cost proposed now!
Of course, the ongoing debate about adequate parking would have been solved as there is plenty of space at the Showground and the council could have even introduced a small parking fee, which I’d say would have been accepted if it meant a closer walk, not only for attendees, but for performers with costumes and instruments to carry.
The council is promoting Goulburn as the place to be. Well, with all the increased traffic already, some provision for extra parking has to be a consideration. So why is there no plan for a multi-storey car park on the agenda. This could easily be accommodated in Ellesmere or Cartwright Place.
Surely infrastructure should come first when promoting our beautiful town to both businesses and new residents.
Glenys Gordon, Bradfordville
Build, then pay
“Build, build, build” cries Goulburn’s answer to New York’s Robert Moses. A performing arts centre, bridges, roads, roundabouts, adventure playground, aquatic centre and so much more. Great stuff.
Although, just keep in mind that when the coffers are empty and all the new loans need to be serviced, the cry will turn to: “Pay, Pay, Pay.”
PS. What happened to the proposed idea of an archives centre for the community?
Robin Saville, Goulburn
Clean energy conundrum
Interesting that Angus Taylor, MP for Hume and Assistant Minister for Cities, has apparently backflipped over base load power stations especially when it comes to Dalton. He has long argued that renewable energy like wind is too expensive, but when it comes to his electorate he can’t find a rational way out of the conundrum of gas base load and our nation’s requirement for cleaner energy base load that can support renewable energy targets.
Unlike the Greens, I support gas as a cleaner alternative to coal and think that a 100 per cent renewable target is basically pie in the sky fantasy. Yes, something needs to be done to reduce greenhouse gases and base load gas power plants like the one at Dalton go a long way to achieving the aims of carbon dioxide reduction.
We were also told recently on every available Australian news service that our energy security is at perilous risk and Mr Taylor toys with ideas of stonewalling energy security for electoral nimbyist advantage.
I can understand the people of Dalton being upset and concerned that their rural slice of paradise may be impacted negatively.
I truly hope that the people of Dalton are consulted thoroughly and every need met if the project is to go ahead, which is not guaranteed.
What, however, are we rejecting, if the Dalton power plant does not proceed? Hundreds of construction jobs and millions of dollars into the local economy, quite a few sustainable power plant jobs, not to mention the reliance on coal in the Hunter to produce base load power, putting the planet ecology at risk.
Mr Taylor needs to get his story straight, not just for a few voters in his electorate; so does Ms Goward, spitting in the eye of investment like this in our region.