Letter - From Jon Huie,
Fishing & Boating Columnist, The Sunday Mail.
I find it difficult to understand how the incumbent
Government, Opposition and independent MP's could have allowed this invaluable
and irreplaceable recreational community asset to deteriorate to its current
condition. There are no excuses and in any state other than South Australia,
this would not have been allowed to occur.
Rapid Bay, the adjacent escarpment and coastline and the
charm of a deep water jetty is breathtakingly unique. It's aesthetic and
economic value as a tourist attraction, dive and fishing location and holiday
destination has been totally underestimated by a series of governments.
In my view, the absence of a bipartisan approach by the
whole of Parliament and local Government to restore the jetty and upgrade
surrounding amenities to national standards
demonstrates a complete lack of vision and understanding.
If Rapid Bay was located as close to a capital city
anywhere else in Australia, it's character would be preserved - including the
jetty – and tastefully developed.
No regard has been given to the importance of Rapid Bay
jetty to the regional economy or for the need to provide and maintain
recreational facilities for the community, within an hour or so drive from
Adelaide.
The Government has done nothing but procrastinate and in
the meantime, the jetty restorative costs have escalated.
The Rapid Bay jetty scenario and is yet another example of
why South Australia is regarded in the eastern States - with good reason - as a
stagnant backwater. The State Government decision makers are absolutely
hopeless.
I hope the meeting goes well and those in attendance are
able to turn Government thinking towards what needs to be done - commit funds to
restoring and preserving the jetty for future generations to enjoy. Then do it!
Kind Regards,
Jon Huie
Fishing & Boating Columnist
The Sunday Mail
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