MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL BUSINESSES from the LEBTA Board.

Skyshow:  Only 10 days to go… and many things still to be done.  Volunteers are still required to make this event a success for the town.  Contact: Russell Chester.  Also please encourage your customers and guests to buy a raffle ticket, to be drawn on New Years Eve.  Tickets available from Ros Young. 

Sally Chatfield:  A meal with Sally Chatfield at Funkey Monkey Bakery Cafe  is being auctioned via ebay.  More details from Russell Chester.

Free family and childrens activities:  Coast Action (DSE) will conduct a range of free activities during January in Lakes Entrance, Metung, Cape Conran and other towns.  As with previous years, it is first in with bookings for guided walks, kids games, tours etc.  Further information: www.dse.vic.gov.au

New member: Tim McDonald has replaced Ros Young on the LEBTA Board. Tim is a senior Lawyer with Warren Graham Murphy (Lakes Entrance).  Thanks to Ros for 2 years active membership of the LEBTA Board.

Christmas Window Competition:  Judging will be carried out this week.  Good luck to all businesses that have entered.  Further information: Paullette.

Gippsland Ports Webcams:  Gippsland Ports has 4 high quality webcams covering the Entrance and Bullock island.  Before going boating in the ocean, the entrance conditions can be checked visually.  www.gippslandports.vic.gov.au

Change to berthing/mooring time limits: Sections of the existing Post Office Board Walk and floating berths on Cumnningham Quay have new time limits.  4 hour duration between 8am and 8pm.  This is designed for visiting boats from other towns to moor for 4 hours for a meal or shopping.  It also allow boats to moor overnight.  More information: Gippsland Ports.

Bullock Island: Landscaping works are nearly complete on the south west corner (overlooking the Entrance). 

Video filming:  The planned contract to take video footage around Lakes Entrance for marketting purposes was postponed till early February.  The weather was not suitable on the 5 December. 

Lonsdale Eco-Cruises:  Lonsdale Eco-Cruises have postponed their move to Cunningham Quay till February 2011, thus business as usual.

Mulloway Fishing Charters:  Unfortunately Antony Heath, Skipper of Mulloway died last week.  Antony had been battling with a few medical issues after he recieved a complete new heart earlier in the year.

New Mayor:  Congratulations to Cr. Dick Ellis on his appointment as mayor for the next 12 months.  Cr Ellis is a strong supporter of Lakes Entrance and attended several LEBTA meetings over the last 12 months.

Book Launch:  A manual on management of SE Australian Rain-Forests was launched last weekend.  The author is local resident (now Port Stephens) Bill Peel.  The launch was at the Shire Offices with guest speaker Rob Gell from Channel 7 weather.  The book cost is $120.  Further Information: EGCMA Bairnsdale.

Journalist famil.  Earlier this week, Destination Gippsland and EGRBTA organised a journalist famil for Modern Fishing Magazine to visit Lakes Entrance, Metung and Mallacoota.  Hopefully a positive article will appear in 3 months.

Dolphins: DSE and Dolphin Research Institute conducted a presentation on current dolphin research in the Gippsland Lakes.  Free booklets, maps and stickers are available at DSE Bairnsdale.  Further Information: Claire Coulson DSE Bairnsdale.

Free family and childrens activities:  Coast Action (DSE) will conduct a range of free activities during January.  As with previous years, it is first in for bookings for guided walks, kids games, tours etc.  Further Information: Jeremy Neilson DSE Bairnsdale.

New Planning Minister:  With the new State Government,  the future of sea-level implications on the town may be “reconsidered”.  Decisions made by the previous Planning Minister (Justin Madden) may be overturned or reviewed.  This could create either simpler regulations or more complex!  At the moment there is uncertainity on the future of the Catchment Management Authority who issue permits for developments in Lakes Entrance.  Further Information:  EGCMA Bairnsdale.

Gippsland Ports:  The new Cunningham Quay development is due for opening soon.  It will provide an extra 20 day berths for vessels wishing to visit Lakes Entrance.  Maintenance is underway along the foreshore to remove the build-up of sand near jetty berths.  Gippsland Port are currently advertising the Sale by Tender of thier PWC fleet.  Further Information: Gippsland Ports.

New Years Eve Skyshow:  Planning is well underway.  Please support this major event for Lakes Entrance: Either a donation or volunteer to assist on the day.  Contact: Russell Chester.

Seafarers festival:  A very successful event held last weekend.  Feed back is most welcome.  Plans are underway for a similar event for next year. 

Foreshore Draft Management Plan:  Expected to be available mid December with a consultation period during January.  Further Information: EGSC.

Comments to Shire:  Remember comments to the Shire can be sent at anytime to feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au .  Generally a written response will be sent to you with in 2 weeks. 

Event funding:  The Shire’s is accepting applications for funding of events for 2011.  Successful funding grants will be announced in February 2011.  Contact: EGSC.  The permanent position of Event Co-ordinator EGSC was advertised last week.  Kay Lewis’s contract was only for 3 months.  As a community, we should be searching and supporting suitable applicants. 

LEBTA member Funkey Monkey Bakery Cafe has opened a new dining experience… a spanish Tapas Bar in Myer Street.  5155 2417

Water-taxi:  will be running regularily between Lakes Entrance – Flagstaff- Barrier Landing this summer:  04585 11438