KATE Broadhurst, who is leading the campaign to keep a key piece of land at Huskisson out of the hands of developers, is adamant it would be a sound investment for Shoalhaven City Council. In her reckoning, to save it and the spectacular view over Jervis Bay it affords would secure the town’s future as a tourism drawcard.
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Club Jervis Bay had offered the land to council for $4.3 million, which was declined. It is now open to tender, with a deadline set down in February. There is a sense of urgency over the sale, with the club under pressure from its bank over a loan it took out to buy the neighbouring service station.
However, whether it can achieve the price it wants is doubtful, according to one real estate agent. Peter Russell said on Friday the land had too many restrictions imposed on it to make a viable proposition for a developer.
So the land, while a great investment for the city if it wants to protect a view like no other in NSW, does not look too attractive to developers, who are concerned with returns.
Arguments have been raised against council buying the land. Comments on our website question why Huskisson should be singled out when other parts of the city cry out for improvements to infrastructure and services.
Ms Broadhurst counters them by saying the investment is for the whole city. You wouldn’t have opposed building the Opera House because it was not in Parramatta, she argues.
In the coming week, a meeting will be held between council, South Coast MP Shelley Hancock and Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis to see if there is a way forward to procure the land and save the view that makes Huskisson so unique.
