Eden stakeholders and residents have until April 9 to respond to the NSW Government's Regional Ports Strategy which will help shape the future of Snug Cove.
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The Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre - which holds the head lease in the Snug Cove precinct - businesses and private sector interests have been left in limbo as they have anxiously awaited details of an updated plan for the precinct.
SCMDC chairman Stan Soroka said that until the new plan was finalised, its hands were tied.
Mr Soroka said businesses had been unwilling to expand or had found it difficult to sell while the future of their leases was uncertain. Some buildings were in urgent need of repair.
Their leases - which cover cafes, retail businesses as well as Border Patrol and Water Police - expire in 2022.
Some businesses raised their frustration at a recent SCMDC board meeting.
But a link to the Department of Industry - Lands' Regional Ports Strategy has now appeared on Bega Valley Shire Council's website with public consultation to close in less than two weeks.
The Regional Ports Strategy covers 25 ports from Yamba in the north to Eden in the south. It invites interested parties to nominate “what is important to you”. It includes an interactive map which shows the wharf extension and wave attenuator as well as proposals for the Port of Eden Marina's 100-200 berth marina, Sydney to Eden yacht race and boat maintenance facility at Cattle Bay.
POEM secretary Rob Bain said recently that he believed Crown Land was working on plans for its assets in Snug Cove but, despite frequent requests, he had not been able to obtain any details.
"We are concerned that, without a comprehensive approach involving the community - including the Eden business chamber, POEM etc - key state government agencies and the private sector owners of the major sites, Eden could finish up with a very second rate, piecemeal development," Dr Bain said.
BVSC director planning and environment Andrew Woodley said that if the review required any changes to the Snug Cove Masterplan 2013, then the government and council would work together to determine an outcome.
"Council is not running or controlling this review; we are simply assisting the process by sharing links to the NSW Government’s Regional Port Strategy portal,” Mr Woodley said.