A little over a week ago I published a concept plan for Bullock Island. The readership of the blog article is considerable and very pleasing. The extended comments on a number of Facebook sites again was a very clear positive indication of the community feelings and what could in fact be achieved.
Each of those suggestions has been recorded and will be considered and I thank each and every one of you for your interest. It is taken seriously and I will continue to use this medium to keep you the community informed of progress. Perhaps a good idea to explain more as to who is B.I.D. Inc and what we are about.
Bullock Island Developments Inc., a not for profit group of individuals, of which I am one, with a bent for getting things done! Developing Bullock Island has been on the cards since at least the late 90s, but with numerous delays until the Shire took over the overall management role (this year). This was with the long term and considerable support of Cr. Dick Ellis, who is also a long standing local resident.
The island's position is unique, is the only man-made ocean “entrance” in Victoria, and holds within its area a key to the revived prosperity of our town. This must be addressed sooner rather than later, after much procrastination.
Grants and funding have already been sourced, but it is important that these monies be spent with the best possible bang for our buck and as a cornerstone of revitalising the economy of Lakes Entrance. They offer an opportunity, with works in progress, to get something constructive and beneficial to the communities of Lakes Entrance and East Gippsland on the books and in place.
BID Inc. is open to variations and changes to our theme, but not delays, that would miss funding opportunities that present themselves at the moment, resulting from the bushfires and CoViD19 catastrophes which have impacted severely on East Gippsland.
BID Inc. reiterates its stance of wishing to work collaboratively with EG Shire and provide an advantageous augmentation to the Bullock Island Master Plan as it is. Having this and the resultant opportunities recognised/accepted by EG Shire is an important step forward.
Initially, we saw the Federal and State Governments agreeing that recovery from drought, bushfire and CoVid-19 will come from community inspired, developed and promoted actions, whilst advising and working cooperatively with Local, State and Federal Government to achieve fully approved projects that advance communities economically. This is a welcome reversal of the previous top down approach but needs to be acted upon at all levels.
Once we ( BID Inc.) became aware that the Shire had made a provision for Bullock Island development, and were reviewing its work plan for the island, we decided to present an augmenting visitor and income generating overlay on behalf of the community. It is designed to fulfill the need for a greatly improved tourist draw-card, which will improve the economy and provide long term jobs, both recognized as vital to the local and East Gippsland economy.
Our concept is not confined to Bullock island itself but encompasses the Jemmy’s Pt Lookout area (under the existing navigation light), seeing that one will complement the other. A staged development with set time lines in place is acceptable within an overall committed project.
An initial meeting has been held with senior Shire staff and the Bullock Island Master Plan Project Manager during which our goals were presented. The meeting was well received and was considered beneficial to all sides.
BID Management will continue to advance the concept and provide unhindered/uncluttered assistance and ongoing information to our town. Truth, transparency, integrity, honesty, and credibility are the cornerstones of BID Inc’s operation.
Our proposed tourism industry overlay to the Bullock Is. plan currently under review has been positively recognised by over 1000 followers in a 48hr period last week. Suggestions made and which have been taken on board for consideration and review. These include a Water Park, a Gondola from Jemmys Point, a reduced Military theme, increased Indigenous theme, increased wildlife accent etc.
Surprisingly, although provided with the concept, no positive responses have to date, come from the very organisations and representatives of our community charged with its advancement. We were pleased to have had a responses from Tim Bull MP, Cr Ellis and Shire Officers, and will continue to provide them with updates. We are concerned with the silence and apparent lack of active engagement from others, do we (BID Inc,) deduce that there is no interest in this proposed project, no preparedness to discuss it?
15 years plus of talk to develop and create investment in a 365 day a year tourism development project that will create appropriate jobs and deliver positive economic results for the failing local economy is far and away too long. Time for action, time for results, time to bring Lakes Entrance alive again.
When the restrictions of COVid 19 are relaxed and indeed perhaps in the history books, our town will need every job, every incoming dollar to re-build and maintain its business community providing a destination of note attracting the long term sustainable tourism on which it depends and the infrastructure required for its resident community.
Some of the projects planned have questionable direct and immediate impact on jobs and local economy save perhaps for any local contractors involved. None of these projects will assist the Lakes Entrance economy as part of an immediate recovery process promised by all tiers of government.
The last 9 months have substantially changed the requirements of the local economy and of equal importance the future of the Lakes Entrance Community. While relevant to the old Lakes Entrance situation some current projects have little or no relevance in today's and tomorrow's economic environment. A review of all capital expenditure needs to take place terminating any arrangements that do not deliver economy recovery and job creation including a reassessment of project timings.
I recall that after 20 years of so called economic and community planning, a growth and adaptation strategy (LEGAS in 2017) was produced at a cost of $400k. To date only 3 parts of this 8 part exercise have been completed, it is now 6 months overdue for delivery of its findings, has the budget been consumed with under 50% of its strategy completed?
This cannot be allowed to happen with Bullock Island and Jemmy's Point, they have the locations, Iconic, they have the opportunity, Massive, they now have the concept, Huge. Now is the time to stand up, recognise change, and ensure financial resources deliver on optimised community needs.
Hi John, my family lived on Bullock Island for roughly 18 years as my father Mike Jubb was the Harbour Master at the time. My father has passed away but my mother Nell is living now in Bairnsdale and has a mountain of information she can share with you and a great ideas on the development of Bullock Island. If you are interested in talking to my mother, here is her phone number. (03) 51522123. Thanking you Lyn (Jubb) Donnelly.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the information. We will be in contact for sure. May take a few days though a little snowed under! Very grateful John
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