Patience runs out over stalled Shell Cove marina

Angry Shell Cove residents are considering a class action against Shellharbour City Council over delays to the suburb's $100 million marina.Shellharbour and Shell Cove Combined Residents Group has engaged a representative from RMB lawyers to address its next meeting on February 2. Group member Bob Parsons said a solicitor was inspecting documents and would advise if a class action was possible.The group recently surveyed 120 Shell Cove residents and said 83 per cent were prepared to support a class action if the marina was not built."People are mad ... they paid good money to be part of a satellite area that is unique and they get lumped with a swamp. It's not on," Mr Parsons said."Really (legal action) is probably not going to happen until the day Australand walk out of the project, but people are asking questions." Shellharbour council announced in August that construction of the boat harbour had been delayed due to the slow real estate market, but no time frame was given as to when work would begin.The latest Shell Cove quarterly report presented to the council on Tuesday gave no clue when construction could start, despite an improvement in Shell Cove land sales since September.Council administrator David Jesson said the council and project partner Australand had publicly reaffirmed their commitment to completing the project."There is no expectation that Australand will pull out of the arrangement," Mr Jesson said."Negotiations between the council and Australand are progressing and when council is in a position to finalise those negotiations they will be reported."I would anticipate that by the end of the first quarter of 2009 things will become clearer and during the second quarter any action that is required to be taken will be taken at the time."Mr Jesson's words were no comfort to Philip and Jan Chauncy, who moved to Shell Cove from Malabar in 1999."One of the big selling points was the marina and we want to see it completed," Mrs Chauncy said. "We also want to know where the money has gone that has supposed to have been put aside for a marina."Mr Chauncy said "the council should never have been involved".Also attending Tuesday's meeting was Cherie McBeth, who moved to Shell Cove in 2002."People hear that Australand is selling assets and they get scared," Mrs McBeth said."We just want straight answers and we are not getting them."That is what is upsetting everyone."