Mittagong chamber head Bill Armstrong said he regarded SHBC president Jodie Lang highly, but he has questioned the role of “patron” Terry Oakes-Ash.

Mr Oakes-Ash gave up the SHBC presidency last year, but has remained heavily involved in SHBC business as a “mentor” to Ms Lang.

Mr Armstrong wasn’t happy after he believed Mr Oakes-Ash told a Moss Vale Chamber meeting early last month all the area’s chambers supported the $70 million Gateway development.

“It’s not appropriate for him to speak on behalf of the all the chambers,” Mr Armstrong said.

“They need to be respectful of different chambers.

“I’ve never heard of a ‘patron’ of chambers of commerce before.”

Mr Oakes-Ash said he only said the SHBC and Bowral chamber supported the Gateway development.

Mr Armstrong sent Mr Oakes-Ash and Ms Lang an email over the announcement after he heard about it.

When contacted by the News, Mr Oakes-Ash at first said he had had no correspondence from any of the chamber heads, before admitting he had received a three-line email from Mr Armstrong, which he forward to Ms Lang because it was “not my matter”.

Ms Lang said Mr Oakes-Ash had been a great mentor and she was disappointed these issues weren’t being dealt with privately.

She said the SHBC had a clear mandate to represent Highlands business.

“We have a shire-wide focus. We have put in place initiatives and met objectives on economic development, youth employment and dealing with the council,” she said.

Mr Oakes-Ash said he didn’t see any conflict between the SHBC and the three main chambers at Bowral, Mittagong and Moss Vale.

“No one has spoken to me. It’s news to me about anyone getting poached by the SHBC,” he said.

“Some members, who will remain nameless, refuse to join.”

The Mittagong chamber has recently elected Peter Smyth as its representative with the SHBC.

Ms Lang was a member of the Mittagong chamber but since becoming president she said it wouldn’t be appropriate to perform both roles fairly.