NEW GALLERY SIGN OF PROSPERITY AND SUCCESS
There is no argument that Griffith needs a new purpose-built Art Gallery and Cultural Centre befitting a modern progressive city.
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The main deficits include its inadequate size to display touring exhibitions and its own collections. The gallery lacks climate control, accessibility and adequate security with no substantial improvements made since it was opened in 1983.
The present gallery has a reputation among the State Art Societies and professional artists as amongst the worst regional galleries in NSW.
It is of no use renovating or reconstructing an existing building as it will not meet the parameters of a modern Gallery that will service the needs of the future.
We strongly feel the most obvious site for a new gallery is the old bowling green next to the visitors centre. We have placed a submission before council to rescind the policy to build a rose garden on this site. The idea of a rose garden or to use this site for any form of garden is ill-conceived.
The council seems to have provided this block to a small group for a rose garden without wide community consultation and particularly any expert survey as to the suitability of the site's soil, drainage and chemical residues.
In combination with the visitors centre this site is a perfect fit for an Art Gallery Cultural and Visitors Centre. The proposed rose garden will not bring tourists to the city, whereas the proposed gallery will bring many visitors and therefore income to the city.
Another garden will add to the already stretched capability of the council garden division, whereas resources would be better spent on maintaining the present parks and gardens.
We ask the citizens of Griffith to support our proposal for council to rescind the present policy of establishing a rose garden and provide this site for a future Regional Art Gallery and Cultural Centre combined with the Visitors Centre.
Brian Sainty, Noel Hicks, Rhonda Miranda, New Griffith Regional Art Gallery steering committee
MINING LEASE COVERS PRODUCTIVE LAND
In relation to the article 'Prominent farmer voices support for mining exploration' The Area News May 26, I wish to point out the negatives of large-scale mining in the area. Whilst mining operations in some areas may occur on unusable land, the Exploration Lease EL8907 ('Monia Gap') covers highly productive agricultural land, valuable natural environmental assets and precious biodiversity, including threatened and vulnerable species.
It also sits above an aquifer and near water resources which are the lifeblood of communities and agricultural production up to hundreds of kilometres away. Mining activities would put these vital resources and natural assets at risk of pollution, degradation and depletion.
In order for farmers to continue to provide healthy, sustainably produced food and fibre to Australia and the world, we need to manage our farms free from the negative impact of mining on local infrastructure, biosecurity, water resources, air quality and biodiversity.
Regarding the role of mining in this community we feel the benefits, if any, to the local economy would be short-term and limited. The impact on the landscape after exploration, mining and associated activities will be devastating. The landscape will never be returned to the state it was in prior to the aforementioned activities.
Agriculture and tourism will provide sustainable income and local employment indefinitely, whereas mining will strip it of its minerals, degrade our environment and hollow out communities.
We will not allow mining to pollute, degrade the local economy environmental values and communities of Monia Gap/Naradhan.
