Easier without politics
Since coming to Eden 27 years ago I have been interested in, and worked towards, the ongoing prosperity of our town, so it concerns me when political posturing divides our community.
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Like many, I’m concerned it may jeopardise Eden’s position for funding the main wharf redevelopment/cruise ship program.
The proposed upgrades will no doubt grow big economic legs if developed.
If redeveloped, vessels up to 330m (not only cruise ships) could berth in Eden promoting our place as an international cruise ship destination and greatly support other shipping movements and associated maritime industries.
Tendering people into shore is a major constraint for the cruise ship industry; globally, cruise ship companies seek destinations with all-weather berthing.
Ports where ships can berth to hard stand, and are supported by a cruise terminal and good transportation, benefit far greater by ship and passenger numbers.
Eden has the chance to make this happen yet the outcome would be a lot easier without the politics!
With a wharf upgrade, ships of up to 260m would be able to berth in all weather conditions, and larger ships up to 330m could berth in suitable weather conditions.
From a piloting perspective, five Sydney Port Authority pilots and our local pilot determined, after a lot of modelling, that this would require a 160m berthing pocket.
Further modelling – to estimate a safety margin for vessels, taking into account proposed structures like the safe harbour attenuator –was then done by port engineers.
Together, these professionals came up with the pilot’s position of 160m plus a 30m safety margin, to support a 190m berthing pocket.
The main wharf upgrades need to be designed and built for the international cruise market of which 86 per cent are greater in size than 260m, with new ships averaging 320m. A 190m berthing pocket cannot be compromised, and we would be foolish to except anything less.
A proposed town meeting, professionally resourced, will present this option by far smarter people than I, and counter the many unqualified statements doing the rounds.
As we have stated publicly, we wish the Port of Eden Marina group the best and we don’t see them as competition. It’s all great for Eden.
BRGD Mike Skitt, Eden
Writer’s wrong target
Regarding the sale of the former St Joseph’s Catholic School site in Eden, Bega Valley Shire Council is not the owner and as such has not been involved in the sale process.
Mr Pearce [Letters, May 5] would be better served directing his concerns to the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, the former owner of the site.
Council’s Development Advisory Panel did meet representatives of the Tian Fu College from China’s South Western University around nine months ago.
Their interest in developing an educational and tourism facility on the land is genuine and council is happy to play a role in assisting them with any future development application.
Since meeting with Tian Fu College, council has had no other contact but is ready to respond and offer assistance when and if they proceed with their proposal.
Mr Pearce also points to road works underway on the Princess Highway at Frogs Hollow and suggests that the project is tied to a Chinese flight school talked about for the nearby airstrip.
The two are not connected. The road works are important safety improvements being undertaken by the Roads and Maritime Services under blackspot funding.
Council has not had any contact with the Chinese air school for 18 months.
Andrew Woodley, Bega Valley Shire Council director planning and environment
