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Mount Gambier is not a real city

Posted on October 23, 2008, 6:06pm

This is an edited version of a forum post:

I refuse to call Mount Gambier a city. That’s because I believe a city is progressive and encourages development and investment.

If this town were any more backward, we’d all be riding horse and carts. This isn’t for a lack of people trying, however. Take this Old Hospital saga for instance, it’s disgusting.

It’s like Bunnings all over again.

Here we have a company willing to invest $20 million in the town and get rid of the eyesore on the hill, yet they have had to fight tooth and nail over it for months. I can’t believe they haven’t screwed up the deeds and thrown them back at the council.

Maybe this is why people constantly go to Warrnambool for day trips, to see what a real regional city looks and feels like. Vibrant, progressive, and growing outwards, not trying like hell to condense inwards. Yes, a real city can have development on the outskirts of town, yet still have a CBD without empty shops.

Amazing but true.

The other reason we can’t be called a city? Cities are run by a single competent city council, not two completely separate entities that constantly bicker like six-year-old school kids.

The fact that the city council is spending upwards of $10 million converting an old garage into the new library is unbelievable. Why not spend less on a more basic, need suited library and spread the rest around, maybe getting started on the damn railway yards. Just clearing it and planting lawn seed would be a start.

And did someone say indoor swimming centre?

I could go on all day, but I don’t have the energy. I’ve lived here for every one of my 29 years, and I used to stick up for Mount Gambier when people ran it down, but I just can’t do it any more.

I join them, I can’t beat them.

Am I alone here or can other people see the problems plaguing this place?

MAXPOWER

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Comments

17 Responses to “Mount Gambier is not a real city”

  1. Mofo on October 23rd, 2008 7:15 pm 1

    100% in agreeance with you MAXPOWER, can i add that i dont believe this town is going to be here in 10 years, as there is nothing for the youth to stay here for. We are the future of your town but nothing in Mount Gambier is for us.

    MAXPOWER run for council you’ll get my vote.

    I can often sit at work looking out into the main street in this town and think why, why am I in Mount Gambier?

    Somthing needs to be done quick smart.

  2. Pete (aka MAXPOWER) on October 23rd, 2008 8:07 pm 2

    Thanks for your thoughts Mofo.

    I would run for council mate, but I ain’t no fancy lawyer or nothin’

  3. Ralph on October 24th, 2008 11:39 am 3

    MAXPOWER, he the man who’s name you can touch, but you musn’t touch! His name sounds good in your ear, Mt Gambier council you should fear, cause his opinions are shared by everyone.

  4. tbly on October 24th, 2008 12:15 pm 4

    I agree on the view that Mt Gambier is not a city, but I’m sure the Public Library that went out for tender was only a $4m maximum project.
    I could be wrong but I would like to know your sources.

  5. Maybe on October 24th, 2008 4:32 pm 5

    The latest media release from the council says $10 million, taking in to account all costs. I think it included a car park upgrade etc.

  6. H on October 24th, 2008 6:01 pm 6

    Having moved away from Mount Gambier for a few years, then moving back… i find it somewhat incredibly sad that not much had changed at all.. Many of the places I lived in Adelaide constantly looked at how they could improve the area for those who work, live, study or play there, but not so much here..

    But at the same time — we, the residents, elect these people to local government. If you’re not happy with their decisions, vote differently, or stand for council. There is no requirement to be a fancy lawyer or have a certain amount of money… All you have to do is convince enough people to vote for you…

  7. Pete (aka MAXPOWER) on October 24th, 2008 10:33 pm 7

    Absolutely true H, and you know what, maybe I could run for council.…but I know one thing, I wouldn’t be making any friends in there.

  8. Jezza on October 25th, 2008 1:47 am 8

    Bring on the indoor pool!

  9. Dk on October 25th, 2008 10:35 am 9

    I love Mt Gambier. I too moved away for better opportunities, I have been back many times on a holiday and noticed nothing much has changed. The indoor pool saga has been going on for a long time, (If I remember rightly, The Aquatic centre was supposed to be indoors or covered at first but the funding was not allocated). As for the rest of the town planning and such, why not do something about it, attend every council meeting, write as many letters to The Border Watch your local MP’s, even the Mayor, get as many people as you can to back your concerns as possible instead of sitting on your forums complaining. Sorry if that sounds harsh but nothing ever got done from sitting at home blaming other people. Mayor Mac Donald ( RIP) did do a lot for Mt Gambier but now he has past on and times have changed , the new council wants to stay in the past and not progress, so its up to you and your friends and families to band together and start writing to the councils, etc. and voice your concerns ( they cant ignore all of you). The next step is vote with a little thought of who will actually get the job done PROPERLY. ( Vote them all out and start again, could it get any worse?)
    Thanks for listening.

  10. H on October 25th, 2008 6:30 pm 10

    MAXPOWER — the only time you know you’ve done the right thing is when both sides don’t like you!

    I have a feeling I wouldn’t make too many friends either, but it should never be a popularity contest — it should always be what’s best for those in the town, and what will attract people and businesses to this town..

  11. Pete (MAXPOWER) on October 25th, 2008 9:26 pm 11

    You are right on the money Dk, my problem has been that I’ve sat on my hands and seen this town going backwards for many years without doing anything about it.

    The main reason I wrote my little spiel was to vent my frustration in a forum where others could share their views.

    The fact that there are people here with similar thoughts has been really heartening; knowing I’m not the only one that has had enough of the way this town is run.

    It’s also given me a chance to seriously think about running for council.

    At least I could say I tried to do something.

  12. rb on October 27th, 2008 11:28 am 12

    Very good post (MAXPOWER).
    It’s very interesting to read the original post on the forum?mmm
    Well can’t comment on that too much. Conflict of interest or investments.
    I understand what you mean about development and investment. We need so much more for Mt Gambier. You just have to look at a small town progress, such as Hamilton. Hamilton Indoor Leisure and Aquatic Centre (http://www.hilac.com.au), do we need something like that? YES!

  13. Davo on October 27th, 2008 4:22 pm 13

    Let’s face it, a handful of people run Mt Gambier and those on council like Steve Perryman will do what they say. Look at the hospital saga … the so called business leaders meeting opposing the hospital development was really only Peter Roberts and Adrian deBruin, both have mansions near the hospital. Funny how the unit development in Jardine Street was not opposed by deBruin. Perryman, who is also the Liberal’s candidate for the next election, was put there by Peter Roberts’ backing.

  14. H on October 27th, 2008 6:32 pm 14

    Davo — people only run this town because we let them.. We elected Steve, Peter Roberts may have provided some support, but it takes more than 1 vote to win an election!

  15. dk on October 28th, 2008 6:49 pm 15

    I agree H. you elected them to run the town, but you can also vote them out or get in there and shake them up with a few ideas of your own. Good luck guys.

  16. H on October 28th, 2008 7:29 pm 16

    The responsibility rests with the whole community — next time the papers rock up on your doorstep, actually vote, rather than throwing them away.. It might not be compulsory, but it’s certainly necessary!

  17. Barry on October 29th, 2008 12:04 am 17

    There may be some interesting times ahead for the local politics, given recent events. Time to embrace the 21st century.