On ABC radio (28/4) and in their draft project statement, in what has turned out to be somewhat of a PR disaster, Eden Resort Hotel Pty Ltd has now announced that they are seeking government funding for the construction of "the wave attenuator and associated core capital works" and that "without funding there will be no wave attenuator and without the wave attenuator there can be no marina, no hotel complex, no residential development".

The State Government has made it quite clear there will be no funding forthcoming for this private development.

The "developer" has done nothing positive for Eden. Cattle Bay is still a toxic wasteland. This developer, who promised so much for Eden, has had a negative effect on tourism in destroying the Cattle Bay beach precinct and locking the public out of the 30-metre wide reserve adjacent to the beach.

Our council has just spent nearly $80,000 of public money demolishing derelict cannery buildings that where originally the developer's liability. 

The Cattle Bay wharf which, under licence, ERH is required to maintain is in such a dangerous condition that Crown Lands will shortly be closing it to the public. Another blow to local and tourists. Will the community be left to pick up the estimated $1m repair bill?

At least now the facts are out in the open regarding the Cattle Bay non-development. No longer will this mythical development continue to muddy the waters and confuse the community when real, fully funded projects such as the Cruise Ship Wharf extension and Snug Cove safe harbour/wave attenuator are discussed.

Bryan Hunter, Eden 

I am really beginning to wonder if Bega Valley Shire Council is selling us all out to China.

Currently Scott Morrison the treasurer has his pen poised to sign an agreement to sell off to Chinese interests Kidman Pastoral holdings spanning 101,411 klms across NSW, Queensland, SA and WA as soon as no one is looking.

Well guess what? Bega Valley Shire Council is about to do the same thing in Eden. Chinese interests have just bought the old St Joseph’s Catholic School site in Eden.

Quoting the Eden Magnet (October 1, 2015): “The former St Joseph's Catholic School site in Eden has been sold to a Chinese university for $2 million.

“Tian Fu College - an independent institute within China's South Western University of Finance and Economics - has bought the prime slice of Eden real estate and has big plans for its transformation.

“According to the college's business plan, the existing school buildings will be renovated while a hotel and self-contained accommodation will be built to the rear of the 9777sqm site, which has Calle Calle and Chandos street frontages.

“The college will offer students year-round study tours to Eden.

“Under its business model, it will also offer hotel accommodation, time-share holidays for retirees and functions, as well as off-shoots such as wedding photography and golf,” the Magnet reported.

Funnily enough a little while back there was a furore (short) lived about a planned Chinese flight school at Frogs Hollow.

But all has gone quiet except the road improvements to give an access lane to the flight school.

Eden is a deep water port that I am sure the Chinese are very interested in much like the one they acquired in Darwin.

The Chinese will never have to invade us they will just buy us.

You are selling out a beautiful shire for a handful of silver.

Frank Pearce, Bega