Community asked to get involved in future of Bay bowling club site

Eurobodalla Council is calling for expressions of interest to participate in a committee that will investigate opportunities to develop the Mackay Park precinct in Batemans Bay.

The precinct includes the former Batemans Bay bowling club site, which Council purchased in May and immediately launched a nationwide call for a partner to develop the strategically important precinct, which also includes the swimming pool and Mackay Park sportsgrounds.

Eight people representing community or business groups related to the potential development are now required to take an active role on the committee.

The precinct has the potential to have a major positive impact on the future of Batemans Bay and the Eurobodalla, according to Mayor Lindsay Brown.

“Some of the development possibilities for the site include conference facilities, tourism accommodation, arts and culture, tourism and recreational facilities. We are looking for people connected to these kinds of opportunities to join the committee,” he said.

The Batemans Bay Mackay Park Precinct Sunset Committee will be responsible for working with Council to investigate development opportunities, as well as overseeing the community engagement process.

Expressions of interest should address the selection criteria.

Expressions of interest close at 4pm on Wednesday 24 August 2016.

Eurobodalla Council is asking community groups or individuals who are interested in the interim short term use of the former Batemans Bay bowling club site to make a submission about their ideas.

While longer term development opportunities are pursued for the site, Council is willing to consider short term use of the building and land by local community groups. An open day was held on Saturday 16 July so that people could inspect the building’s interior and consider possibilities.

Submissions can be made to Council until Wednesday 24 August and should outline the proposed use, the location of the proposed use within the building or site, and the intended period of use. Proposals already made by the community will be considered and can be modified if desired.

Following the assessment of proposals, recommendations will be reported to Council for endorsement later this year.