Hi dear availees of this 'ere blog, and of course "A Second Attempt ", 'cos the first try was a bittuva' disaster...and 'cos that previous post went so ballistically pear-shaped, just gunna' leap straight into this one in dot-point fashion...(ummm, look, had a brief read-through, might give ya' a quick heads-up, ahhh, it doesn't go well-Ed)...oh let me guess, we get halfway through the first Good Idea and some act of random incompetence and/or active malice by Mt Gambier City Council sends the whole train of thought careening off the rails?...(nice metaphor-Ed)...don't change the subject, it's exactly that isn't it?...(ummm, not quite-Ed)...super...(we don't even get that far-Ed)...terrific...
Each of these good ideas is specifically part of a broader Tourism plan, designed to be low cost/require minimal new infrastructure/create employment/etc, based on the trope MGCC so love to use, 'If you can get people to stay and do stuff for a bit longer, they stay a night, etc etc'...(so we're looking at Tourism, not industry or agriculture or whatevs-Ed)...yeah, just a few relatively simple ideas to cater to all those tourists bringing their delightful diddly-dollaroos into Mt Gambier...(and hopefully encouraging them to leave plenty of them dollaroos behind when they eventually move-on-Ed)...exactly, and the longer they spend here?...(the more they spend here?-Ed)...bingo, it's a marketing mantra that writes itself...
We Tried, Gourd Knows How We Tried
Beyond a shadow of doubt, the single most immediate action that can be taken to improve Public Amenity for locals and tourists, and that won't cost Ratepayers a red cent...(well in fact, that actually saves Ratepayers money-Ed)...excellent interjection, that improves services and actually saves Ratepayers money, is to restore the Blue Lake Aquifer Tours Kiosk/Cafe to Trish and Gary Turner...(then support them to expand services-Ed)...one quantum leap at a time, but in time, absolutely...(assuming they still want to, wouldn't blame them for being jack of it-Ed)...fair call, but I do know the Aquifer Tours are still operating 'cos I seen Gary there doin' it...from the footpath...Internationally Renowned Tourism Experience, operating from the footpath, metres from the usually 'Closed' kiosk/cafe built specifically to house the Aquifer Tours...(well it sounds bad when ya' put it like that-Ed)...what? when put exactly as it actually is?...(fair dues-Ed)...with MGCC running it, it is a greatly reduced service at The Kiosk/Cafe...(and as paid for by Ratepayers-Ed)...exactly...
"I tried", 'cos the first best Good Idea is to rectify the Turners' vindictive eviction...(yeah, it's tough tryin' to just engage with the Think Positive Good Ideas idiom when said Good Ideas' very existence/necessity is due to MGCCs' appalling conduct-Ed)...the entire issue shouldn't exist/need to be on this page, this issue exists at all due to MGCCs' vindictive animosity toward the Turners...(witnessed it myself-Ed)...indeed, many people have...just make this point too, I speak for the Turners as much as I speak for MGCC, ie, not at all...(well not to be unkind, but for the purposes of this essay, the Turners are in effect just cogs in a larger engine-Ed)...nah I get what you're saying, the machine is systemically dysfunctional, so whilst this cog should go here, clearly should go here to fix this bit, there's still a ton a' work left to get the entire thing functioning smoothly and efficiently...(not exactly a ground-breaking use of metaphor, sure, but why fix what ain't broke?-Ed)...indeed...
Pie In The Sky Ideas: The New Blue Lake Cafe
The oft discussed 'Cafe/Restaurant at the Blue Lake', my version...keep the Aquifer Tours Kiosk/Cafe as is, and build a low-profile 50 seat cafe on the area immediately behind it...(oh between that and the exercise equipment?-Ed)...yeah that bit...you could literally abut that whole fence-line, righ tinto that 'unused' corner...it's where all the parking is already, build wheel-chair accessible access, slightly terraced seating to provide maximum view, all open glass to Blue Lake..(and set low into the hill at that site, the structure would have minimal visual amenity impact-Ed)...nor will this detract/distract from the Aquifer Tours 'cos if peeps only wanna' gawk at the Blue Lake, there's already a look-out right there, if they wanna' do the Aquifer Tour, they will...(and electronic media aside, plenty of tourists do still just rock-up and see what's there-Ed)...probably a bit, yeah...
It only needs a small counter/service area at rear...('cos you use local cafes/bakeries to supply it all-Ed)...exactly, if someone does fancy cakes, they get a display case, someone does pies/pasties/etc, they get their warmer, etc etc...(and if ya' run-out, send us up some more of whatevs yous a' got-Ed)...so no local business loses custom due to this, in fact, they're likely to gain...(and there's the free advertising on their cabinet/warmer-Ed)...spot on, 'had that lovely cupcake/pasty at the Blue Lake Cafe yesterday, let's check-out that bakery/cafe for breakfast', etc...in less busy times, eg, middle of Winter, do busloads of day-excursion tourists for Devonshire Teas...(rent it out in the evenings to host birthdays, etc-Ed)...maybe, but through Xmas/School Holidays/Summer peak Tourism season you'd likely wanna' be open late evenings for tourists anyways...
Obviously I've got a fairly specific design in mind, operational ideas I believe would work, eg, use local cafes/bakers, etc, and would love to be involved/contribute...(with somebody else's money obviously-Ed)...well I certainly can't afford it, that's why I'm puttin' these ideas up for consideration...(but even if someone can fund/run it, then there's a hill a' bureaucratic approvals/plannings needed-Ed)...which is why, for both reasons, a Council acting with positive intent are exactly the peeps to do it...(imagine a cafe/bakery that has to hire an extra staffer just to keep-up the scone count-Ed)...a fine dream to have...
Old Rail Station Studios/Gallery and Central Bus Terminus...(check us out, a Good Idea that is in fact 2 great ideas on the one spot-Ed)...well, immediately adjacent to each other, but there's no reason that the Gallery couldn't function as a ticket office when open...both ideas would of course require renovation of the currently derelict building, some minimal extra infrastructure, a lick a' paint, and Bob's your Auntie's live-in lover...('cor blimey guvna'-Ed)...which means, yet again, can't even get off the ground without flying straight into a raging gale of MGCC dysfunction/maladministration/faults/failures/refusals/malice...(Jesus H Tap-dancing Christ, it's exhausting!-Ed)...tell me about it, I was long at it before you fortuitously materialised on the page...(fair dues-Ed)...point is, all of this should have happened 20 years ago and hasn't, and the Rail Lands Retail Agenda is the reason...
And see, right there, I can't even get through the first Good Idea...(first 2-Ed)...without careening into the reality of MGCC conduct that means none of this will never happen...(oh we've been down this road before, or this rail, I should say-Ed)...indeed we have, and what do we call it...(the Rail Lands Retail Agenda-Ed)...damn-straight we do, and why do we call it that?...(well, 'cos aways back in 2005/06 MGCC released several plans/versions of development for the Rail Lands, including 30-page architect-designed plans, all of which included extensive Commercial/Retail Development on the Rail Lands site, including major expansion of the Lakes/Centro/Whatevs Plaza-Ed)...nicely surmised, and what do we offer as our proof that said RLRA is not just a creature of history?...(ummm-Ed)...come on, you got this...(errr, oh, the current state of forced dilapidation and none-use?-Ed)...there you go, well done, 20 years they've had it and just look at the state of the damn place...tell me with a straight face that MGCC have any intention of putting/letting anyone in there, ever...
So, Central Bus Terminus...this is something I and others have tried to get happening, starting from when Mt Gambier City Council were first 'gifted' the Rail Lands Precinct by the (then) Labor State Government in 2004/05...(wasn't there a The Border Watch article at the time, 'Where is bus terminus'?-Ed)...indeed there was, and, oh look, what a pleasant coincidence, here 'tis again...
Our ideas included 'One Way' long-vehicle access off Bay Rd, with 12-15 angled caravan parking bays along Railway Tce...(like at the Lady Nelson site, which isn't a Tourism site now, apparently, or something, I dunno', MGCC said sumthin' about "spokes" and a Master Plan, sumthin' sumthin'?-Ed)...let's stay on topic, but yes, that style of in-out parking, including a covered 'bus bay' right adjacent the Station Building...(yeah, but that specific carpark area that would have been perfect, it's gone, MGCC spent $$$??? pointlessly extending the platform right across it-Ed)...again with the negative vibes Moriarty...(it's not negative vibes, it's a fact that you'll have to factor-in to a revised Good Idea-Ed)...fair dues...but y'all get the idea, a centralised combined Inter-City/Local Bus Terminus + caravan parks...imagine all those scruffy influencer hippies, glam-camping geriatrics, and various other caravan-toting degenerates who currently have nowhere to park in town, having designated bays right there in the heart of town...
As a Public Transport Terminus this would instantly generate greatly increased foot traffic/customers 'cos it offers access to the adjacent Centro/Lakes Plaza for patrons, with many shops/etc...it doesn't seem that far from the current route, 150m, but try walking it in the pissing rain or baking heat...(same issue with MGCC moving the 'terminus' into Sturt St, might only be another 70-80m further away, but that can be a very, very long way-Ed)...and it's so unnecessary, that's what really grinds my gears, absolutely no genuine need/excuse to move that 'terminus'...but we digress...good ideas...where was I?...
Although I wasn't directly involved, gunna' call it, 'cos I was privy to several conversations...I know that artists/art groups have approached MGCC about establishing a Studio Gallery in the Old Station...(well it's the perfect lay-out isn't it?-Ed)...several studios with resident artists and a small gallery for all local artisans...(like the Aquifer Tours Cafe used to provide before MGCC vilely evicted them-Ed)...dude! we're trying to be upbeat, positive, good ideas...(not my bloody fault if every good idea comes equipped with umpteen MGCC faults/failings/improprieties-Ed)...okay, fair enough, but let's keep trying...(I hear tell that they've done something like this at the Strathalbyn Station building-Ed)...not seen it myself, but apparently, according to my source, Lou King Online, it's quite the rage down that way...
As I understand it, numerous 'arty' people have been prepared to donate their time/expertise/own funds to renovating the Station, and MGCC have refused it...every thing MGCC has ever had to say about 'engaging spaces' and 'creating foot traffic' and 'activating the precinct'...(ahhh, "activating the precinct", that was a classic-Ed)...indeed, and 'vibrancy' and 'dynamism', etc etc, all of it, it self-defines as false when you look at what could/should be there, as opposed to what is/isn't, and why...(can you imagine? a bustling Studio Gallery with adjacent long-bay parking drawing tourists to park/peruse/'might as well do some shopping in the Lakes/Centro Plaza and grab a bite to eat while we're here'/etc etc-Ed)...well imagine is all ya' can do and likely all you'll ever be able to do...
Centenary Tower 4WD Buggy Shuttle In Xmas School Holidays
Covered this over on/in TMGI Facebook...it is regularly floated, the idea that is, that some sort of 'ski lift' up to Centenary Tower would be good...(but that would require massive amounts of therefore very costly infrastructure/maintenance/staffing/etc-Ed)...exactly...(and would be largely unused for most of the year, eg, through Winter, etc-Ed)...which is why it's far more practical using 4WD golf buggy-style vehicles to take people from the CT Carpark, up to The Tower, and back...(geared-down to walking pace for maximum safety?-Ed)...if you'd like, sure, no need to go any faster...(and charge, what, say $2 return? something really cheap to impress tourists so they tell others, etc-Ed)...sure, but why not make it free...(and maybe put a small drink van at the bottom to generate some revenue?-Ed)...brilliant, people will be super impressed with a free lift, and/but won't bat an eyelid at paying $$$ for a bottled water or can of soda-pop...(soda-pop? what are you, like 100 years old?-Ed)...point being, many people/tourists, offered a free lift, will wait for that lift instead of sayin' 'it's too damn hot, I ain't walkin' up there, etc', and driving away after just a few minutes...(we've all heard and/or said it, that slope is an absolute bastard on a good day, let alone in High Summer Tourist Season-Ed)...yes, not really very far/high, but with a coupla' really steep sections that do put people off going up...and a quick shuttle to the top becomes 45-60 minutes there instead of 5...
It's hugely marketable as 'Top 10 Things To Do In Mt Gambier' material...(I can hear it now, "why not grab a free shuttle up to Centenary Tower to take in the breathtaking 360 degree views of the city, lakes, and surrounding districts"-Ed)...dude, you should do voice-overs professionally...(yeah, unfortunately I'm just a confected literary device, so I don't actually have a voice, well, other than in your head-Ed)...oh very droll, very witty Wilde...(one does what two can-Ed)...what toucan?...(we digress-Ed)...as covered below, MGCC is ideally positioned to operate this service...
Bus Service To Pt Macdonnell In Xmas School Holidays
Explains itself really...(coupled with daily, that includes weekends and public holidays, daily local service-Ed)...a match made in heaven...when I first organised this service back in 2010, it was the provider I approached/proposed it to, it was they whom suggested that Pt Mac to Browns Beach was also do-able...(oh I didn't know that we had a bus to Pt Mac-Ed)...we don't, it never happened...(but you said "when I organised"?-Ed)...and I did/had, then someone from MGCC went to said provider and persuaded them to drop the idea...(I thought perhaps a bus to/from Mt Gambier, then smaller shuttle Pt Mac-Browns return, means no-one gets stranded at Browns, and if anyone's 'stranded', at least that's in Pt Mac, if an extra Mt-Mac-Mt run is required there could be a gentle cost, eg, $50 surcharge, etc, just saying-Ed)...no no, that's a great idea, coupled with a numbered ticketing system, no-one gets left behind...(and the drivers would have a good idea of how many people have used their bus that day anyways-Ed)...another great point...
And yet again, it's something that should already exist but doesn't due to MGCCs' malicious self-interest...as gourd is my witness, I had a verbal agreement with the (then) provider, and it was their excellent idea to expand on my idea, and MGCC acted to stop it...(well I for one think we're doing remarkably well to continue forward with these Good Ideas, to keep our heads-up, despite the multiple millstones of MGCC malicious maladministration-Ed)...yeah, it's one thing to have an idea challenged by logistics/cost/practicality/etc, another entirely different beasty when said idea is scuppered out of sheer malice and self-interest...
And for most of these Good Ideas, I would argue that it is most practical/functional for the Mt Gambier City Council to operate these services...(what? MGCC run it? we've just been ranting, yet again, about how appallingly MGCC handles almost everything they touch!-Ed)...well obviously not this Council per se, but a MGCC where-in people can actually do their jobs, and act with the best interests of Ratepayers/Residents as Councils' primary motivation...(so not the current MGCC then?-Ed)...strewth no, to quote my dear grandpa; "they couldn't organise a root down Kings Cross on a Saturday night."...(a true poet your grandpa-Ed)...he told simple truths in powerful ways...(but I take your point, 'cos this would immediately address the very costly/complex issues of Insurance/Staff/Wages/Plant, eg, trucks to move buggies/van, etc etc-Ed)...indeed, or at the very least MGCC should/would be the body that negotiates/liaises with those whom can/will provide said service..('cos maybe it's such that any bus service has to operate through the current Contractor, and/or with co-operation of the District Council, stuff like that?-Ed)...exactly, and whom would you expect to have the expertise in Local Government/bureaucratic functionings?...(I feel that's a trick question-Ed)...
For example, with the Centenary Tower Shuttle Service, MGCC is perfectly placed to operate it...they can employ staff, provide the buggies/drink van and the trucks to get them there and back each day, etc...(take it all up there when opening the security gates in the morning, pick it up that evening at close-Ed)...great idea...takes an extra 15 minutes maybe...and all 'insurances' fall within MGCC's general 'employment insurances', etc...
In closing, here's a photo I took in December 2023 of some vile graffiti at The Rail Lands...
This (above) is MGCC using the same gaslighting deceit they used to stall actual promised non-Retail/Commercial public development on The Rail Lands, ie, the Sound Shell and Covered Plaza, used here again, 'we don't want to do any work/renovations until we understand whom and/or what's going in there'...(and what is going in there?-Ed)...well nuthin' no time soon, it's a derelict shell with a fancy new roof...(why a new roof but no internal renovation?-Ed)...I don't know, ask MGCC...(and didn't they promise some sort of Activity Park at the Bay Rd end a coupla' years back?-Ed)...yeah, I do seem to remember something about a "Concept Plan", I wonder if it's still on their...(here 'tis!-Ed)...
https://www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au/news/railway-lands-play-precinct-endorsed
...well thankyou for that...(estimated $2.5million 'Concept Plan'-Ed)...I can read...
Tomorrow: More Good Ideas With MGCC-Induced Caveats
Perhaps it won't be so bad, maybe we can get through a whole post, a whole post of Good Ideas, without it all goin' to heck in a handbasket courtesy of MGCC...(you don't honestly believe that do you?-Ed)...I have to Ed, I have to for the sake of my sanity, for your sanity, and for the sanity of all those dear, long-suffering availees out there...(sure, but you don't actually believe it-Ed)...oh gourd no, we're screwed...
I am Nick Fletcher and this is my blog...cheers and laters...
