Time to audit Bay's prized asset

THE lead article on February 19 in The Herald "Costs mount as iconic Bay museum remains shut" refers.

I believe the article just touches on the mismanagement and maladministration of the Red Location Museum and precinct.

Besides the theft ("alleged") by staff (Weekend Post of Saturday 15) of electronic equipment, I cannot accept the "creative accounting" on attendance figures. If these figures reported are correct, then, over a four-month period (when the museum is open Monday – Friday from 10am – noon; 2pm – 4pm and closed Saturdays, Sundays and on public holidays reference: http://www.freewebs.com/redlocationmuseum) seeing the museum has an average patronage of 825/day – that translates to filling 12 municipal buses or 52 (16-seated) taxis each day!

If so many patrons are going to the museum, the restaurant and craft shop (closed for about three-and-a-bit years now) – with these attendance figures, both venues should have made an excellent profit. And I wonder what happens with the entrance fees?

I would call for a full (independent) audit of the Red Location precinct and everyone – from acting executive Director of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Charmain Williams, ward councillors, NMM municipal employees and museum staff need to be accountable. Those found misleading the public and ratepayers should be dismissed.

Anthony Harris