Opinion

Seal Rocks gutful

There were more than 12,000 so-called members of the Save Seal Rocks Facebook page as I write this, and that's suspect as well. A village with 70 houses (a generous description for many of them), 100 residents, an unpowered camping ground and a basic holiday park must have taken a very long time to knock up a total of 12,000 visitors. Strange that people who haven't been to Seal Rocks for a very long time, if at all, are seeking to deny upgraded holiday park facilities for those who would go.

That's what the ruckus is all about. Great Lakes Council proposes to upgrade its Seal Rocks Holiday Park by adding a swimming pool, cafe, ensuite caravan sites, playgrounds and new cabins and those who claim some sort of right to an unchanged Seal Rocks are objecting.

The improvements proposed by the council will be less prominent than the multi-million-dollar mansions that have replaced many of the jerry-built weekenders, but there were no protests when the locals pocketed a record price for each block and took off. There's bound to be more than a few of those among the 12,000. How about those who still own a dwelling in Seal Rocks put an irrevocable covenant on the title barring any change to that dwelling?

Fishing and holiday villages up and down the NSW coast have changed many times to accommodate the needs of an increasing number of people seeking to live or holiday on the coast. Think Forster, Nelson Bay, Port Macquarie, South West Rocks, The Entrance, Crescent Head ... . Why should Seal Rocks be different?

Those against improving the holiday park say it should be different because Seal Rocks is a special place, but the truth is that they see themselves as special because of some real or imagined history with the place. Other people are entitled to create a personal history with Seal Rocks and there's no good reason why they shouldn't do so in comfort.

Not only should the council improve the holiday park, it should ensure that all holiday-rental houses at Seal Rocks meet fire safety and other requirements for such commercial premises. We're in the 21st century now, all of us.

Have you, too, had a gutful of people who claim exclusive right over coastal villages?

Posted By: Jeff Corbett on 21/05/2010 9:49:00 AM | Comments (71)

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In your argument you actually don't put forward any perceived faults with the place the way it is, apart from suggesting that the present accommodation is not comfortable. You also seem annoyed with the renovated fishing cottages (fair enough). A little further north to pacific palms, blueys beach etc and you can get your comfy bed in a motel with a swimming pool. Your suggestion that 12,000 people on facebook saving seal rocks is a sham may be right. However, it would not surprise me if it wasn't. Many people over a long period of time have visited seal rocks and fell in love with it. They would want it to stay the way it is for themselves and for their kids.Its a beautiful place. What has been suggested by the GLC may well be ok but may also be the thin edge of the wedge. Why the hell do we need to build a pool at seal rocks? You're kidding yourself aren't you? One thing I will agree with is the style of refurbishment etc being undertaken to the existing village. There should be more care with what sort of approvals are being granted. Perhaps we could also build a maccas takeaway for you JC so you don't have to cook while you are there? Maybe a kfc too so we have a choice.

Posted by judgedredd, 21/05/2010 9:12:30 AM, on The Herald

No, not annoyed by the multi-million-dollar improvements to the weekenders that have been there a long time. Wondering, though, why those opposing the proposed improvements to the holiday park are not annoyed by those flash improvements.

Posted by Jeff Corbett on 21/05/2010 9:56:39 AM

Just another mob of NIMBY's that want their cake and eat it too when its time to move on. I like the idea of the council doing some fire and safety checks on the rentals.

Posted by cardiffresident, 21/05/2010 9:27:57 AM, on The Herald

And this is the clincher: you say: "Fishing and holiday villages up and down the NSW coast have changed many times to accommodate the needs of an increasing number of people seeking to live or holiday on the coast. Think Forster, Nelson Bay, Port Macquarie, South West Rocks, The Entrance, Crescent Head ... . Why should Seal Rocks be different?" Why the hell do you want all these places to be the same? I'm fired up over this one ya mongrel! lol SAVE SEAL ROCKS

Posted by judgedredd, 21/05/2010 10:04:14 AM, on The Herald

This topic sums up the catch-22 of development anywhere nice - people find a nice spot, be it coastal, lake, mountains and visit taking friends etc. - soon it becomes popular with many people, some of whom want to move there. There is then increased pressure to make it more "liveable" and have better facilities. Not long after that it becomes "spoiled" by the development and people move on to find the next little oasis from life. Those of us old enough have seen this happen up and down the coast - I spent many years going surfing in the Forster area - lived at Blueys Beach for a while - (now look at that - yuk!) camped at Seals, Treachery, Yagon. I see Seals these days and wonder too about the McMansions springing up. I'm not sure what the answer is - where do we stop? develop the whole coast into resort/Mcmansion style living?

Posted by zuluclayman, 21/05/2010 10:22:03 AM, on The Herald

Make Seal Rocks into a homosexual haven and all the problems will be solved.

Posted by Erin, 21/05/2010 12:07:41 PM, on The Herald

If memory serves me well, its been three or four years since last I drove into Seal Rock. Several klm's of unsealed road lead to a picture perfect bay. The caravan camp ground is only just a camp ground. The facilities just do not exist, so perhaps a bit of stategic planning to accommidate an upgrade of the park and fore shore area as well as a bit of infrastructure is indeed required.

Posted by intouch, 21/05/2010 12:23:39 PM, on The Herald

Directeur Sportif my horse seems to have recovered from its haematoma and is currently being broken in .It is a trotter, pacer actually and is rising two years of age. You have a way with words do you have any suggestions for a name ? Anyone else with a name?

Posted by chaff and oats, 21/05/2010 12:29:04 PM, on The Herald

Jeffro, what (in my opinion) should happen is that a longer term strategy should be developed for Seal Rocks. The Council should sit down and (through consultation etc) work out what Seal Rocks should look like in 20 years time - how big should houses be? new houses? what new facilities do they need? what accommodation should be provided? More houses? less cars? what needs to be protected? How would the camp sites and tourist park fit in? Otherwise they are just flying in the dark and assessing each case without reference to the big picture. Also residents (old and new) would know what to expect in years to come. Keep in mind Jeff that these development issues are the same everywhere - everyone wants a shopping centre to visit, a pub to drink at and some tourist accommodation for the long weekend - but no one wants anything in their neighbourhood! This is part of the issues of modern society and a problem for many communities. Even look at Newcastle where inner city residents fight to stop any development that they don't like in 'their' backyard - despite that fact its the main city centre of the Hunter and a pretty logical place for those development to belong!

Posted by King Idiot, 21/05/2010 12:49:40 PM, on The Herald

It is somewhat hypocritical, some would say unAustralian to kick up such a stink. let's face it : Great Lakes Council needs every penny it can get. If this gives them a couple more bucks, let 'em do it.

Posted by Abundance, 21/05/2010 1:02:07 PM, on The Herald

I’m opposed to the proposed development at Seal Rocks. There is a depressing homogeneity with costal development. If you want a resort style experience there are many places to go to in the GLC region for this sort of experience. The attraction of Seal Rocks is that it is not like Forster or Nelsons Bay. I do take your point about the old holiday houses being replaced with million dollar mansions which are out of character with the area. Perhaps some tightening of the planning regulations requiring any redevelopment to occupy a similar foot print and similar design and construction features would prevent those intent on cashing in while at the same time preserving some of the character of the village. @ C&O - why not "Blood Blister" as a name for your horse?

Posted by Direcreur Sportif, 21/05/2010 1:11:02 PM, on The Herald