Councillors Tony Allen and Russell Fitzpatrick have reacted with anger and outrage, calling it an attack on democracy, after Mayor Michael Britten tabled a question about their views on the Eden Wharf development.
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Cr Britten has a question in the Bega Valley Shire Council business paper for Wednesday, November 25, asking if Crs Allen and or Fitzpatrick would “provide evidence to council on the financial viability of marinas on the South Coast of NSW to substantiate their opposition to the wharf extension proposed as part of the development of the Port of Eden”.
Both councillors have vehemently denied any opposition to the Eden Wharf development and have called the questioning of their views “a sad day for democracy” and an attack on free speech.
Cr Fitzpatrick said that any suggested opposition to the wharf is a “total lie and is totally unsubstantiated”. Cr Allen called the statement “a blatant lie”.
In his background note to the question Cr Britten said that both councillors had “now indicated opposition to the wharf extension and appear to be supporting construction of marinas as a preference”.
Both Cr Fitzpatrick and Allen have said they believe a marina would ultimately prove to be a bigger economic driver, but both have unequivocally also supported the wharf extension and the attenuator.
Cr Fitzpatrick said that most recently these views were aired in a council workshop on Wednesday, November 11 - which was not attended by Cr Britten as he was in Sydney discussing the potential council merger.
“This is a disgraceful way for councillors to act when we live in a society where free speech is valued,” Cr Fitzpatrick said.
“Everyone has a right to be heard on any matter whether others agree or not.
“It appears though that Cr Britten does not wish for this to occur.”
Cr Allen said “this is a very, very sad day for democracy in Bega Valley for staff and councillors”.
“Any councillor who has an opposing view should not expect to be challenged in this way by the mayor,”
Cr Fitzpatrick is an appointed member of Regional Development Australia, Far South Coast and said that he fully supported the initial application process (for the wharf funding) and lobbied heavily to the then member for Eden-Monaro Mike Kellly for funding.
“I want both projects to go ahead and I fully support both projects,” he said.
Cr Allen was also involved with the project from its inception discussing both the extension of the wharf and the attenuator.
“I have absolutely supported both projects,” he said.
“The extension to the wharf is wonderful, but a big boat once every month or so is not going to keep things going.
“In the fullness of time it is my belief that the attenuator will provide an opportunity for a private marina to be built and that it could be a big economic driver,” Cr Allen said.
The matter is expected to produce a fiery exchange at the council meeting on Wednesday, November 25 when both councillors will be rising to give a rebuttal of the allegation that they do not support the Eden Wharf development.
The question as listed in the current Bega Valley Shire business paper
Question to Cr Allen and Cr Fitzpatrick regarding evidence of the financial viability of Marinas on the Far South Coast
Cr Britten, Mayor
Question
Would Crs Allen and or Fitzpatrick please provide evidence to Council on the financial viability of marinas on the South Coast of NSW to substantiate their opposition to the wharf extension proposed as part of the development of the Port of Eden.
Background
I am asking this question as both Cr Allen and Cr Fitzpatrick voted to support the Council committing $2 million to the development of the wharf at Eden, to assist in obtaining $10 million in Federal Government Funding to extend the Eden Wharf. The purpose of the extension is to attract economic growth for Eden. Both Councillors have now indicated opposition to the wharf extension and appear to be supporting construction of marinas as a preference.