The more things change, the more they stay….

From John Cowan, former Shellharbour City councillor

THE photo of former mayor David Hamilton in Thursday’s paper brought back memories of a photo printed in a local paper (may have been the Lake Times) in the early ’90s.

Taken in the same spot as this week’s shot, it featured Mairi Petersen, Russell Hannah and others who were celebrating Delphin Group’s withdrawing from the marina project.

Delphin withdrew because they did not see the project as being financially viable.

Now, more than 15 years on and having had Shell Cove rammed down our throats as being the greatest project attempted by a local council, we have the former mayor suggesting the council go cap in hand to the State Government to save the day.

At no time has any state government offered assistance in the past and given the state of the economy will be unlikely to do so in the future.

Wal Murray’s comment about the marina as being “pie in the sky” has been proved to be spot on.

Former Mayor Hamilton’s statement that had the council not been sacked Australand would not be getting away with what they are now is a bit rich.

Walker Corporation and now Australand have been calling the shots from day one and to suggest that the project has only come to grief since the sacking is an insult to our intelligence.

The fact is that council officers have been out of their depth in dealing with the developers and that councillors have been content to swallow the propaganda dished out without scrutiny.

Also, by the way, denying access to others in the community to the Management Agreement.

Mr Hamilton’s statement that council officers should have been more aware of what was going on is of real concern. Of course they should.

There are three officers working full time on the project and the GM receives an extra $30,000 per year to oversee it.

I believe they have been aware of the situation but have not had the ability to deal with an astute developer.

I don’t believe the developer has done any more than seen some fruit ripe for the picking and that’s business.

The blame lies fairly and squarely with the councillors who have neglected their duty to residents and delegated authority to others while warming seats and picking up.