Media Release
Homeless and helpless.
Clr Larry Whipper responding to claims made by Ms Candy Raymond in an article in the SHN Monday, 17th December re: "Animals displaced by council work", certainly shares her concerns on this matter.
"This information was brought to my attention last week and at that time I spoke directly to the Council Officer who is overseeing the works at Lake Alexandra. At that point in time he had not been aware of the claims. He did however give an undertaking to investigate the matter.
Clr Whipper, who has been the Chairman of Councils Environment Committee since 2000 and long time advocate of the environment levy also stated “that he had been personally concerned about the displacement of our fauna as a result of land clearing, development and some works of restoration such as Lake Alexandra. There is no need for this to happen. It should be incumbent as a part of Council consent, that developers engage appropriate expertise to identify any vulnerable wildlife that may be at risk as a result of there proposals and with either Wires or national Parks make arrangements for the relocation of these before proceeding with any land clearing”.
"At a recent Environment Committee meeting it was resolved and later endorsed by Council, that we set up discussions with Wires in an attempt to see if there is a way that Council can use Wires considerable expertise to assess/relocate and /or provide any ideas on how Wingecarribee Shire Council and Wires could establish some type of MOU.
The idea would be for Councils Development Control Branch to be able to access this expertise when issues arose relating to development approvals which had the potential to harm or displace our precious wildlife". He said.
Through our Natural resources manager, we have started talking to the Local Wires and are now awaiting their ideas. I look forward to a meeting with Wires on this matter early in the New year to see if we can formulate a proposal to take to the Environment Committee and then to Council on the matter.
Ends:
.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
McDonalds Moss Vale may face obstacles.
I have just heard that MacDonald's are meeting with Council officers soon to discuss their proposal for a restaurant on the old Peter Donnelly site in Moss Vale. The land in question is earmarked for rezoning to R3 under the New LEP. This is a Medium Density residential zoning, which, if Council sticks to its position may see McDonald's plans to locate at the site as non compliant. Further news when it comes to hand.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Are McDonald's coming to Moss Vale?
I have just heard on the grapevine (as yet unconfirmed)that the Old Peter Donnelly site on the Roundabout at Moss Vale Rd (Illawarra Highway and Robertson Rd) has been sold to McDonald's. Is any body else aware of these rumours? If it is proven true, the land would be zoned appropriately, however traffic would be an enormous issue and place even more pressure on our already stretched roads infrastructure. We have been taken for a ride by Big W in Mittagong and now it seems we are going to feel the brunt of Big Business in Moss Vale as well. Comments and feedback would be welcomed.
Copy of Speech at Global Human Rights Welcome Bowral 12.12.07
Global Human Rights Torch:
Corbett Gardens Bowral. 12th December 2007.
I would like to acknowledge that we are meeting on Gundungarra land. Respect to all Elders past present and future.
The Mayor has sent his apologies for not being able to attend today and has asked me to represent Council on this occasion.
Therefore, on behalf of the Wingecarribee Shire Council I would like to welcome all those special guests who have come into Shire to be a part of this event and to also thank all the residents of the Wingecarribee for being here today.
A sincere thank you also goes to the “Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong” for organizing this global event, and a very special note of gratitude in particular to Gary Hastie and John Solomon who have worked hard to bring this event into the Shire.
In a Country like Australia, we tend to take our freedoms for granted. We live our lives largely forgetting that not every country experiences such egalitarian rights.
Although our Government have not yet issued an official apology, or come to terms with our own past and present treatment of Aboriginals, we do as a nation, support and value freedom of speech and the right to express our religious and cultural beliefs irrespective of what they are.
Although our previous government has attempted to corrupt and stifle some of those basic rights, we are still a free society and draw a great deal from our diverse and multicultural society.
As a nation we recently expressed that freedom and asserted our National rights again on the 24th of November and convincingly made a collective statement, which saw a new government swept to power. That same freedom could just as easily replace the government at the next election should we feel the need to do so.
These freedoms we take for granted. We forget that we owe a great deal to those founders who put them into place. We sometimes also conveniently forget that there are human rights atrocities occurring all over the world. Sadly the majority does not spend a great deal of time thinking about these things.
Whether it is exploitation of women and children who are sold into the sex or slave trade, children exploited in sweat shops or innocent people, victims of conscience who have been incarcerated and tortured for their belief, it is generally easier for us to turn a blind eye and not to ask questions. But if we continue to do this, in conscience, what right have we to call ourselves human?
How long can we look away, believing that ignorance is an excuse? How long can we offend the basic principles of humanity and allow human rights atrocities to continue. How much longer can we justify military and economic interventions, which kill and corrupt in the name of economic advantage? How long can we continue to live in economic ignorance and bliss at the expense of human dignity, compassion and environmental responsibility?
This event today focuses attention on some of the atrocities that still occur in the world. The treatment of people in China under the Communist Party’s rule continues to oppress and suppress many basic human rights. If claims about the treatment, persecution and torture of Falun Gong practitioners in China are proven to be true it is undoubtedly a horrendous indictment of political arrogance and a sinister abuse of power.
Along with the Olympic games come, the global family’s opportunity to put China’s human rights policies and track record under the microscope and to ask for answers to long standing questions relating to human rights abuses in Tibet, Myanmar and China itself. Not only is it an opportunity to seek answers, it is also an opportunity for China herself to take the slur away from her name.
If China indeed wishes to continue to prosper from global economies and be a part of our global family she must prove now, when the eyes of the world are upon her that she values and respects her brothers and sisters and cares about her reputation on matters such as human rights.
Never has there been such an ideal opportunity for China to prove to the world that she does indeed have and a social conscience and to allow freedom and dignity to evolve beyond persecution, fear and oppression. If China is to truly become the Great Economic beacon she wishes to become, she must reawaken her sense of justice and empathy.
It is my prayer that this Human Rights Torch may shine upon the hearts of the entire global community and light the way for a new path in China, based on the principles of freedom, beauty human dignity and compassion.
I would like to offer you a quote from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to take away with you.
"All human beings, whatever their cultural or historical background, suffer when they are intimidated, imprisoned or tortured . . . We must, therefore, insist on a global consensus, not only on the need to respect human rights worldwide, but also on the definition of these rights . . . for it is the inherent nature of all human beings to yearn for freedom, equality and dignity, and they have an equal right to achieve that." -- 14th Dalai Lama
Friends, it is my hope that this truth may begin to find its way into every heart and mind in the world.
Thank you.
Corbett Gardens Bowral. 12th December 2007.
I would like to acknowledge that we are meeting on Gundungarra land. Respect to all Elders past present and future.
The Mayor has sent his apologies for not being able to attend today and has asked me to represent Council on this occasion.
Therefore, on behalf of the Wingecarribee Shire Council I would like to welcome all those special guests who have come into Shire to be a part of this event and to also thank all the residents of the Wingecarribee for being here today.
A sincere thank you also goes to the “Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong” for organizing this global event, and a very special note of gratitude in particular to Gary Hastie and John Solomon who have worked hard to bring this event into the Shire.
In a Country like Australia, we tend to take our freedoms for granted. We live our lives largely forgetting that not every country experiences such egalitarian rights.
Although our Government have not yet issued an official apology, or come to terms with our own past and present treatment of Aboriginals, we do as a nation, support and value freedom of speech and the right to express our religious and cultural beliefs irrespective of what they are.
Although our previous government has attempted to corrupt and stifle some of those basic rights, we are still a free society and draw a great deal from our diverse and multicultural society.
As a nation we recently expressed that freedom and asserted our National rights again on the 24th of November and convincingly made a collective statement, which saw a new government swept to power. That same freedom could just as easily replace the government at the next election should we feel the need to do so.
These freedoms we take for granted. We forget that we owe a great deal to those founders who put them into place. We sometimes also conveniently forget that there are human rights atrocities occurring all over the world. Sadly the majority does not spend a great deal of time thinking about these things.
Whether it is exploitation of women and children who are sold into the sex or slave trade, children exploited in sweat shops or innocent people, victims of conscience who have been incarcerated and tortured for their belief, it is generally easier for us to turn a blind eye and not to ask questions. But if we continue to do this, in conscience, what right have we to call ourselves human?
How long can we look away, believing that ignorance is an excuse? How long can we offend the basic principles of humanity and allow human rights atrocities to continue. How much longer can we justify military and economic interventions, which kill and corrupt in the name of economic advantage? How long can we continue to live in economic ignorance and bliss at the expense of human dignity, compassion and environmental responsibility?
This event today focuses attention on some of the atrocities that still occur in the world. The treatment of people in China under the Communist Party’s rule continues to oppress and suppress many basic human rights. If claims about the treatment, persecution and torture of Falun Gong practitioners in China are proven to be true it is undoubtedly a horrendous indictment of political arrogance and a sinister abuse of power.
Along with the Olympic games come, the global family’s opportunity to put China’s human rights policies and track record under the microscope and to ask for answers to long standing questions relating to human rights abuses in Tibet, Myanmar and China itself. Not only is it an opportunity to seek answers, it is also an opportunity for China herself to take the slur away from her name.
If China indeed wishes to continue to prosper from global economies and be a part of our global family she must prove now, when the eyes of the world are upon her that she values and respects her brothers and sisters and cares about her reputation on matters such as human rights.
Never has there been such an ideal opportunity for China to prove to the world that she does indeed have and a social conscience and to allow freedom and dignity to evolve beyond persecution, fear and oppression. If China is to truly become the Great Economic beacon she wishes to become, she must reawaken her sense of justice and empathy.
It is my prayer that this Human Rights Torch may shine upon the hearts of the entire global community and light the way for a new path in China, based on the principles of freedom, beauty human dignity and compassion.
I would like to offer you a quote from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to take away with you.
"All human beings, whatever their cultural or historical background, suffer when they are intimidated, imprisoned or tortured . . . We must, therefore, insist on a global consensus, not only on the need to respect human rights worldwide, but also on the definition of these rights . . . for it is the inherent nature of all human beings to yearn for freedom, equality and dignity, and they have an equal right to achieve that." -- 14th Dalai Lama
Friends, it is my hope that this truth may begin to find its way into every heart and mind in the world.
Thank you.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
No survey on leisure centre
At the Council meeting of 12th December, I made an attempt to move a motion to accept the offer from Mr Theo Onesfarou to pay for a random survey of 2000 people in the Shire to determine if there really is support for a leisure centre. There is considerable discussion in the community at the moment. I have had numerous people contact me saying that they have real concerns about the construction of the Centre, particularly given that the cost has already blown out to 16.7 million dollars. There are of course those of the opposing belief who say that they want a leisure centre. The basic question is however. Do the people of the Wingecarribee want a leisure centre at any cost?The motion was defeated 8 votes to 4. I believed it to be an excellent opportunity for the supporters of the project to prove for once and for all that there really still is support, even given our potential risk as a result of CDO investments with Grange, the fact that the project relies heavily on the sale of public land and that there is no certainty that the overall cost will not continue to grow! The challenge that I threw out was to test the waters! If the majority do want the centre, then let it proceed. Such an undertaking would once and for all silence the critics. The challenge was not accepted.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Human Rights Torch. Corbett Gardens Bowral. 12th December 2007
You are invited to the Global Human Rights Torch reception to be held in Corbett Gardens Bowral at 11am on the 12th of December 2007. The event is organised by the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of the Falun Gong . http://www.humanrightstorch.org/
Council Consider Land sales to fund Leisure Centre
Media Release: 11/11/07
Clr Larry Whipper who has long been on the record raising concerns about the proposed Leisure Centre concedes that the facility would probably bring a lot of joy to members of the Wingecarribee Community, but is concerned about the way we are proposing to finance it.
“To enter into an expenditure, which is conservatively estimated at around 16 million dollars, without the funds to do so, is in my opinion "dangerous financial planning". I think we can predict that this cost will blow out”!
“Relying on land sales is, I believe not only risky business, but also inappropriate, particularly when a number of these are classified as parcels of community land. We have heard the arguments that the sales will only add up to around 20 acres or so in total. We are also told that that there will not be any "complete sale of parks and reserves and that where sales do occur, the remaining parks and reserves will be upgraded thus adding value an amenity”.
Although this may appear good in theory, Clr Whipper said, “the fact is that our shire is growing considerably and if we do not maintain, enhance and increase our area of public space, there is a threat that our residential areas will” bleed together as they have in many other urban and suburban areas. I believe that this would go against the grain of community expectation”.
“We continue to hear many arguments supporting the construction of a Leisure Centre being promoted as the voice of the public. Calls from the public, questioning the sale of public land, or the watering down of Council services to pay for a Leisure centre have not been met with the same acceptance by Council!”
“The champions of this cause continue to sell the virtues of the leisure centre and, I bear them no ill will because of this, but I do feel it is only one side of the story. I am sure that when submissions are called for the sale of land, we will begin to hear a lot more on the proposed financial model we have earmarked to fund the leisure centre.”
We are continually told, that the sale of public land is a good thing and that it is merely the sale of an asset for the replacement of an asset (no sleight of hand). Surely we need to re- think this logic, as we are not talking “apples for apples” here!
I for one cannot understand the wisdom in selling of land, which is not only valuable socially, aesthetically and psychologically, but which will also appreciate significantly over the years as land became more scare and land prices soar, for a monolith, that will continue to depreciate and burden the whole community with maintenance cost that will cost us dearly.
The Leisure Centre is a great idea, but can we afford it and is it worth the financial and social cost that we will no doubt have to continue to pay and pay and pay for!
If you are interested in knowing more about Wingecarribee Shire Council go to http://www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/ or for a list of properties proposed for sale go to www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/files/4392/File/Reclassification_of_Properties_List.pdf
Clr Larry Whipper who has long been on the record raising concerns about the proposed Leisure Centre concedes that the facility would probably bring a lot of joy to members of the Wingecarribee Community, but is concerned about the way we are proposing to finance it.
“To enter into an expenditure, which is conservatively estimated at around 16 million dollars, without the funds to do so, is in my opinion "dangerous financial planning". I think we can predict that this cost will blow out”!
“Relying on land sales is, I believe not only risky business, but also inappropriate, particularly when a number of these are classified as parcels of community land. We have heard the arguments that the sales will only add up to around 20 acres or so in total. We are also told that that there will not be any "complete sale of parks and reserves and that where sales do occur, the remaining parks and reserves will be upgraded thus adding value an amenity”.
Although this may appear good in theory, Clr Whipper said, “the fact is that our shire is growing considerably and if we do not maintain, enhance and increase our area of public space, there is a threat that our residential areas will” bleed together as they have in many other urban and suburban areas. I believe that this would go against the grain of community expectation”.
“We continue to hear many arguments supporting the construction of a Leisure Centre being promoted as the voice of the public. Calls from the public, questioning the sale of public land, or the watering down of Council services to pay for a Leisure centre have not been met with the same acceptance by Council!”
“The champions of this cause continue to sell the virtues of the leisure centre and, I bear them no ill will because of this, but I do feel it is only one side of the story. I am sure that when submissions are called for the sale of land, we will begin to hear a lot more on the proposed financial model we have earmarked to fund the leisure centre.”
We are continually told, that the sale of public land is a good thing and that it is merely the sale of an asset for the replacement of an asset (no sleight of hand). Surely we need to re- think this logic, as we are not talking “apples for apples” here!
I for one cannot understand the wisdom in selling of land, which is not only valuable socially, aesthetically and psychologically, but which will also appreciate significantly over the years as land became more scare and land prices soar, for a monolith, that will continue to depreciate and burden the whole community with maintenance cost that will cost us dearly.
The Leisure Centre is a great idea, but can we afford it and is it worth the financial and social cost that we will no doubt have to continue to pay and pay and pay for!
If you are interested in knowing more about Wingecarribee Shire Council go to http://www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/ or for a list of properties proposed for sale go to www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/files/4392/File/Reclassification_of_Properties_List.pdf
Public hearings on these land sales will be conducted from 5th-20th February next year.
Friday, November 30, 2007
first steps on the campaign trail.
Dear Friends.
I thought it would be a good idea to create a space were I could raise local issues of concern relating to the Wingecarribee Shire. Having been a Councillor on Wingecarribee Shire since 1999 I have seen a number of changes to the local community that have made me feel very uncomfortable. In the lead up to the next election in 2008, I feel that it is important to gauge thoughts and feelings from the local residents. What is important to you. What are the biggest threats and challenges that you see confronting us. What is your vision of the Shire and how do we maintain the quality of life that we currently enjoy here. It is my hope that this site will become increasingly interactive and provide opportunities for us to make sure we keep the Shire a place in which we are all proud to live. I am also hopeful that we can maintain the environmental integrity of the area and protect the future for our children and grand children.
I thought it would be a good idea to create a space were I could raise local issues of concern relating to the Wingecarribee Shire. Having been a Councillor on Wingecarribee Shire since 1999 I have seen a number of changes to the local community that have made me feel very uncomfortable. In the lead up to the next election in 2008, I feel that it is important to gauge thoughts and feelings from the local residents. What is important to you. What are the biggest threats and challenges that you see confronting us. What is your vision of the Shire and how do we maintain the quality of life that we currently enjoy here. It is my hope that this site will become increasingly interactive and provide opportunities for us to make sure we keep the Shire a place in which we are all proud to live. I am also hopeful that we can maintain the environmental integrity of the area and protect the future for our children and grand children.
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