By Craig Forster
MOUNT Gambier businessman Craig Foster has expressed concern about a proposal to relocate the city’s visitor information centre and bus terminal to the Mount Gambier Railway Lands.
Mr Foster is among 19 candidates contesting eight elected member positions on Mount Gambier City Council.
Fellow candidates Ben Hood and Max Bruins formally announced the proposal last week.
“I hate being negative Nigel but I am deeply concerned with this proposal as I believe certain aspects of this idea are flawed,” Mr Foster said.
“I think Ben is a ripping, upstanding guy and he would make a very good councillor – his heart is in the right spot.
“I cannot comment on Max, as I have never met him, however it is my mandate to treat ratepayers’ money as if it is my own.
“I see the possibility of a six to eight million dollar cost, with very little extra value gained.”
Mr Foster estimated 80pc of traffic enters Mount Gambier via Jubilee Highway and Penola Road.
“The proposed plan would funnel a lot of bus, caravan and car traffic into the single lane Penola Road, creating a bottle neck with traffic turning across Bay Road into and out of the rail lands,” he said.
“The tourist information centre is much better situated on the dual lane Jubilee Highway.
“The current location is 900m from the Main Corner and shifting it would save all of about 350m.
He added duplicating the existing facilities at The Rail would cost “four to five million quite easily”.
“What scares me the most would be the massive write down of the capital value of the Jubilee Highway site and its contents,” he said.
“If it was sold, I believe it would more than likely only receive land value. This would equate to an estimated loss of up to three million dollars.”
“I completely agree we need to better utilise The Rail and train platform and I look forward to discussing this and other ideas for bettering Mount Gambier if elected.”
