Trades Hall

Costa - Currawong Myths

It is perhaps unsurprising that a site that evokes romance in those who have used it should give rise to so many myths.

Below is a guide to some of the inaccuracies and half-truths being peddled by opponents of the development proposal with Corporate Renaissance.

*The plan destroys an important link with trade union history:

WRONG

The original site was purchased by Jim Kenny in 1949 for �10,000 from the Port Jackson Steamship Company to provide a holiday camp for more than 500 people, accommodated in 100 cabins. Only lack of funds and difficulties with sewage prevented Jim Kenny's vision being realised. Currawong has only existed in its present state because the union movement could not afford to develop it as it had planned to. This plan is faithful to Kenny's vision by maximising the benefit to the entire union movement. At a time of crisis for the union movement this plan will ensure we continue to have a history.

*The plan is to build a holiday resort: WRONG

The Currawong site is zoned for training purposes and will remain focussed on its usage. The proposal is to replace eight of the fibro huts with 16 environmentally-sensitive timber cottages. The pavilions will provide accommodation and training for up to 80 people.

*Union members will no longer have access: WRONG

5,500 rooms nights per year will be allocated to trade union members providing access to 16,380 persons, providing greater access than currently exists. While the facilities will be upgraded, the cost will be kept affordable and union members will still be able to have access for $60 a room that will accommodate a family. Fifty per cent of the room nights will be earmarked for school holidays. Union members will also be offered discounts for the stress management courses.

*Important heritage buildings will be destroyed: WRONG

The only heritage-listed building, Mid Home, will be fully maintained in its current state and will remain available for union members' holidays. The Blue Cottage will also be retained, and upgraded in the development. Eight of the huts are to be replaced with modest eco-friendly timber structures. Communal cooking facilities will be provided, along with prepared meals.

*The proposal will be environmentally damaging: WRONG

Not a single tree will be destroyed. All structures will be built on the escarpment, beneath the tree canopy, replacing existing buildings and will have limited visual impact. From boat, the site will be more aesthetically pleasing.

*Currawong is a workers' paradise: WRONG

Statistics on current usage show that Currawong is not being used by a broad cross-section of the union movement. Most users come from the Northern Beaches, North Shore and Inner City. Only three percent of users come from the Western Suburbs.

*The developers are part of a sect who are enemies of the ALP:

WRONG

The Natural Law Party is independent of the TM movement. The NLP preferenced the ALP at the last Federal Election and have publicly endorsed the benefits of unionism. The lease will preclude training for political purposes. Further, all construction work on Currawong will be carried out by unionised labour. Once completed, the facility will be operated by union labour.

*The development will cause parking pressure at Palm Beach: WRONG

Corporate Renaissance will bus participants to the Palm Beach ferry from central points around Sydney. There will be no increase in parking at Palm Beach, if anything, there will be a decrease.

*And the killer... All is well in the union movement, we can afford to maintain this Utopia for the few: WRONG WRONG WRONG

At a time of falling union membership, Currawong is draining union funds by up to $50,000 per year. This is unsustainable.

The current proposal would give TUTA the home it deserves, allowing it to hold training courses all year round and attract international conferences.

The proposal will also bring $200,000 per year, indexed, into the trade union movement. This money will be earmarked for recruitment and harnessing the opportunities that the new information technology presents.

In a time of crisis, we have clear choice as a union movement. We can pretend that things are fine and go on providing rustic holidays to the select few.

Alternatively, we can harness this asset in a sensitive and responsible way and give the union movement an opportunity to flourish and grow into the 21st Century. If we do not, there won't be a union movement, and Currawong will become a memorial to a distant past.

We can all create myths, but this is an opportunity to create history.

I ask all committed union members to think of the collective good of the movement and support this proposal.

  View entire issue - print all of the articles!

  Issue 7 contents

»	Labor Council to Vote on Currawong Proposal
»	The Story So Far ...
»	Costa: What I�ll Do With The Dough
»	Friends of Currawong Plan: Borrow To Grow
»	Independent Evaluation Backs TM Plan
»	How the Voting Works

»	Guest Report
»	Sport
»	Trades Hall
»	Piers Watch

»	A Real Aussie Preamble
»	The Get Stuffed Tax
»	Laboring for Education
»	Tipping: No One Got Close

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