Council puts cards on the port’s table
CAMPASPE Shire has responded to the questions posed by a pair of former councillors at its council meeting on Tuesday, however were unable to confirm any details about the possible lease to preferred applicant Murray River Paddlesteamers.
Both Paul Jarman and Peter Williams blasted the council over their handling of the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre lease calling for a specific policy to regulate the ticketing and retail functions of the centre as well as the booking procedure for the wharf.
Regulatory and community services general manager Paul McKenzie said ‘‘no written policy is in place’’.
‘‘Bookings are currently taken on a first-in first-served basis,’’ Mr McKenzie said in the formal response.
‘‘It is intended that a formal booking process for the wharf will be included as part of any proposed lease or licence at the Discovery Centre.’’
Mr McKenzie confirmed the entry fees to the centre are set by council as part of the budget process, although said the proposed wharf hire fees are not yet available.
‘‘In the future it is proposed wharf hire fees for all entrepreneurial activities conducted on the wharf will be part of the retail and entrepreneurial lease. These are currently under negotiation,’’ he said.
In response to Mr Jarman’s inquiry into how the councilowned boats will be guaranteed to not be the ‘‘victims of predatory ticket selling behaviour’’ by any potential Discovery Centre operator, council said it was seeking to include a condition in the lease to avoid such behaviour.
‘‘Council will seek to avoid inappropriate booking behaviour through lease conditions currently being developed,’’ Mr McKenzie said.
‘‘Council will seek to mitigate any inappropriate anticompetitive or biased behaviour in regard to ticketing through the lease conditions.
‘‘These conditions are still the subject of negotiation and not available at this time.’’
Council is accepting submissions about the intended leasing arrangement until Friday with the agreement set to start on July 1.