Advertiser commentary a disappointment
20 Feb 12
I present the following letter to the editor in relation to Craig Cook's article and comment piece in Saturday 18th's Advertiser.
"Craig Cook's articles in this newspaper dated 18/02/2012 in regard to the Murray Bridge Racing Club and the Gifford Hill initiative at Murray Bridge were disappointing and based on reports from un-named critics who lack the courage to present their view and substantiate them publicly.
Suggestions about a lack of project transparency, inferences of inappropriate Rural City of Murray Bridge and Racing Club arrangements and behind closed doors negotiations are completely inaccurate, misleading and damaging to the parties involved.
The Gifford Hill Joint Venture is a tri- partied agreement involving the Murray Bridge Racing Club, TRSA and Burke Urban Gifford Hill Pty Ltd. This Joint Venture meets monthly, the minutes, reports and financials of the Joint Venture are reported meticulously and audited annually. We also meet on a monthly basis with the Rural City of Murray Bridge.
We and our partners remain committed to this fantastic project, but we will manage the project prudently and within the constraints of budget and funding as we see fit and hopefully with positive industry and community support. We are obliged to do this so that the Murray Bridge Racing Club and its members are not at risk.
To date Burke Urban Gifford Hill have contributed some $15 million into land purchase, planning, engineering, community development and place making for the overall project and the Murray Bridge Racing Club have secured some 300 hectares of completely debt free freehold Gifford Hill land. Of that $15 m of expenditure, $8m has been spent on infrastructure, earthworks, racing tunnel and racecourse construction”.
Kind regards,
Kym Burke
Managing Director
Burke Urban Developments Pty Ltd