What does MidCoast actually mean? Can a meaningful identity encompassing the whole of the merged council area be manufactured? How would Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest, Pindimar, Bundabah and North Arm Cove fit in? Do we fit in?
Council has initiated a process to develop a unified identity for the new MidCoast region. They have invited representatives of community organisations to attend one of a series of focus groups to be held:
- Thursday 13 October 9am – 12noon Wingham
- Thursday 13 October 5pm – 8pm Gloucester
- Friday 14 October 9am – 12noon Bulahdelah
- Friday 14 October 2pm – 5pm Gloucester
- Monday 17 October 5pm – 8pm Taree
- Tuesday 18 October 12noon – 3pm Taree
- Tuesday 18 October 5pm – 8pm Forster
- Wednesday 19 October 9am – 12noon Forster
with an online survey for those who cannot attend at http://www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/Have-Your-Say/What-is-MidCoast
Sadly, no focus group has been scheduled for Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest.
What do you think "MidCoast" means - or should mean? Is it worth someone tripping to Bulahdelah for a 9am meeting?
Thanks Doug (and for your
Thanks Doug (and for your previous Rant article... Agreed that we don't seem to be on the new council's radar
The tidal phenomena of centralisation and decentralisation that happens in all organisations seems to be speeding up. Rather than wasting energy trying to cobble together a name for such disparate communities (many not even on the coast) maybe we should wait for the next decentralisation or even ignore it (oops... not wanting to promote cynicism here just let's be practica)... For example visitors have commented that Central Coast sounds like it's pretty much in the middle too :-)
Exactly Darrall, I always
Exactly Darrall, I always understood Mid and Central to be synonyms too. I think it will be hard to create a meaningful identity with that title and communities that were pushed together in a merger that most did not want..