The EOI process will be followed by calling tenders for construction.

This is welcome news for the Eden community and the Port of Eden Marina Association (POEM).  Years of studies, meetings and lobbying, plus the ongoing support from Andrew Constance, are at last paying off.

Eden is the only deep water port for small vessels in South East NSW and East Gippsland. The addition of a safe harbour in Snug Cove will be very welcome by permanent and transiting  boats, including the Sydney-Hobart fleet. 

The main criteria for the attenuator will be creating the maximum protected area in Snug Cove without impacting on the berthing pocket for the cruise ships and ensuring that marina wave requirements are met.

While the visual impact of the attenuator may, initially, be quite stark, once the Snug Cove Safe Harbour is more or less full of boats, both the appearance and value of the attenuator to Eden will become very obvious.

A concept drawing for an attenuator and marina in Snug Cove is available at portofedenmarina.org.au.

My response to the article referring to the potential of a new regional art gallery.

Bilbao's answer to a dwindling economy was to build the amazing Frank Gehry designed Guggenheim Museum. It is now a worldwide culture destination.

Councillors are being asked to support a concept plan for a new Bega Valley Regional Gallery building that would sit well among the hangars and industrial buildings on the airport site.

Considering Andrew Constance stated in the Bega District News (August 8), in regards to an expanding BVRG, "We've got substantial money, it is not just the $100 million of the cultural fund, it's about $1.6 billion". It is time to lift the bar and aim for amazing.

I write to you as CEO of Royal Life Saving Society Australia with an important message for your readers… please check your backyard pool fence, gate and latch.

Inadequate pool fencing and gates that are faulty remain a major contributing factor in the rate of drowning in backyard swimming pools among children under five.

Royal Life Saving has developed a home pool safety checklist. This checklist allows you to conduct a self-assessment of your home pool and its surrounds to ensure it is safe for everyone to enjoy and minimises the risk of young children drowning.

Often pool owners don’t realise their pool fence or gate is faulty which poses a threat to children’s safety. 

Please visit www.royallifesaving.com.au and download the home pool safety checklist to make sure your pool fence, pool gate and latch is in working order.

The checklist does not substitute for a pool inspection. We urge you to get professional advice about your pool’s compliance, check regulations with their local council or go to the local hardware or pool shop to discuss how to ensure the pool is made safer in time for summer.

Adequate pool fencing is not a substitute for active supervision. Always keep watch of children around water.

Last summer saw a tragic number of lives lost to drowning, with rates more than four times the 10-year average between Christmas and New Year. Sadly, children accounted for a significant portion of these preventable tragedies.

We don’t want to see the same devastating impact this summer so please make this weekend your home pool safety weekend.