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2005 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

Casino or strip joint for Ettalong?

 

Resorts are passé, according to Lisa Pryor, writing in the Sydney Morning Herald (March 8).

She asks what will happen to these "luxurious white elephants with acres of granite and brass, costing a fortune to build ....at such cost to the local environment."

She maintains that the "in" holidays today are to "discreet, low-rise, in sympathy with the natural surroundings" types of places.

She mentions that many resorts up and down the coast are up for sale including the Sheraton Mirage at Port Douglas.

They are changing hands and seeking new names in the hope that they can entice the public to part with their cash for cut-price holidays.

Of course, we on the Peninsula know all about this.

The "Outrigger" has already changed hands and is now "The Mantra" owned by MFS, a business firm with many financial problems according to the press.

Now it's there of course, we are stuck with this over-sized monstrosity.

We know that the height restrictions and building code will now be ignored in the buildings which will join it along the Esplanade, so that it doesn't look too lonely.

We also know that those people pulling the strings behind the scenes have "great" plans particularly for the Ferry Beach.

They now have 47 years left of the lease to play with and even if no ferry emerges, they can exploit the space for merchandise outlets: McDonalds perhaps, Wendy's, games arcades, who knows?

It's all under wraps unless you are a stakeholder.

The peace and tranquility of the area enjoyed for so long by ordinary Australians, is to be exchanged for the razzmatazz of a Gold Coast, where people can part with their money and supposedly forget the state of the planet.

Just think, we might get a casino or a strip joint.

It is such a pity that these things are encouraged by people lacking vision, who are so behind the times.

As Lisa Pryor sums up, "the best thing you can do to ensure a holiday destination does not end up a white elephant is to keep as much of the natural environment as possible. This is true paradise life. This is one of the few things that never go out of fashion."

Margaret Lund Woy Woy