Does this mean no one needs to pay their debts?

Check out Councils report on CJ Recyclers outstanding Debt on pages 56, 57 and the unbelievable recommendation of page 58.

http://www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/files/5303/File/2008-05-28_Agenda.pdf

Why has this been swept under the carpet for 6 years? Who wants it to disappear and why?

Do you believe in Community Action.If so can you help?

For Larry Whipper and Community Action

OUR LIFESTYLE – IT’S NOW OR NEVER!

Yes, I do want to help sustain our unique environment and lifestyle within the Wingecarribee Shire!

NAME………………………………………………………………………

ADDRESS………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………

POSTCODE……………………PHONE……………………......……….

EMAIL……………………………………………………………………..

I can help with:

Letterboxing 
Door Knocking 
Polling Booth 
Campaign Co-ordination/Media 
Providing Equipment 
Stationery/Printing 
Contributing Funds 
Providing Fence For Posters 
For further information, contact Larry Whipper:

PHONE: 4885 1695 FAX: 4885 2099 EMAIL: laza53@aapt.com.au

WEBSITE: http://communityactionwingecarribee.blogspot.com/

call to abandon the kangaloon borefields

Upper Nepean Groundwater Community Reference Group (UNGCRG) member Larry Whipper has joined calls for the State Government to abandon the Kangaloon borefield project.
Cr Whipper, chairman of Wingecarribee Shire Council’s environment committee, said in light of uncertainty about the environmental effects of the borefield, the State Government should take a cautionary approach.
“If we have learnt anything from our ongoing exploitation of the environment, it is that once environmental damage occurs, it takes many lifetimes to repair, if at all,” he said.
Cr Whipper said the Economically Sustainable Development (ESD) Act dictated that where there is no scientific evidence that a project is safe beyond all doubt and will have no detrimental effect on the environment, the work should not proceed.
“The UNGCRG and Council also endorse this principle and as such are calling for the Minister to refuse the application,” he said.
Cr Whipper said even after receiving information as a member of the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Board, councillor and UNGCRG member, he still believed the Kangaloon borefield plan did not stack up.
For the full story see the Southen Highland News, Monday, May 19

http://bowral.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/whipper-calls-to-abandon-borefield/772233.aspx

Whipper says LEP has lost the plot. SHN. 5.5.08

Media Release


During a 3-hour meeting, which was attended by around 250 people, the LEP was amended and debated by Councillors. Clr Larry Whipper expressed concerns about the way the process was being presented; he raised concerns that the document was packed with information that was difficult to debate in any meaningful detail.

Clr Whipper pointed out that he “ has been approached by many people in the community who have raised a number of questions about individual parcels of land and also the basic philosophy of the document. Like those people, I have some concerns about the fact that we seem to have lost the basic vision of the 2002 LEP”.

Unlike this version of the LEP, which almost completely constructed the previous draft almost completely influenced by the residents of the Shire from the ground up, by way of workshops which identified common themes and visions, which then became the basis for the future planning of the shire. Sadly the majority of current Councillors obviously did not share that vision.

My greatest concern for the current LEP is that there appears to be a lack of real protection for environment, it also appears to be light on Social infrastructure, like affordable youth friendly venues and activities. It appears due to the rigidity and generic nature of the planning templates, provided by the government does not allow appropriate environmental protections in place. It does not provide for innovative and sustainable development opportunities, nor does it utilize or expand on the advantages of promoting eco friendly business and development parks.

Clr Whipper also cited the push to get Wensleydale and Gibbergunyah back onto the agendas as highlighting the lack of vision or understanding about sustainable development shown by some Councillors. “ I am also worried that in spite of the Communities insistence that we retain our uniqueness as a shire, there are areas of the LEP that continually provide threats to the character of the Wingecarribee Shire”.

“In fact some of the clutter housing that has evolved incrementally overtime resembles the outer suburbs of Sydney rather than the tranquil Southern Highlands, citing the Big Box retailing establishments and the increasing numbers of traffic lights in the Shire as indicators that we are losing the plot, in terms of retaining the principles aesthetically pleasing and sustainable development and place based planning in our push”. I believe our real future lays in our ability to promote and sustain local business and sustainable housing opportunities that reflect our shared vision for the shire, while protecting our environment, cultural landscape and social conscience.

“I am glad to see the community taking such a strong and determined interest in the future of this shire, as expressed by the numbers at the last two public Council meetings”. Clr Whipper said. I trust we can harness this enthusiasm and that the LEP when it is finalised truly reflects the expectations and visions of the whole shire rather than a few interest groups.

RECISSION ON LAND RECLASSIFICATIONS

HI All.

I WILL BE SUBMITTING A RESCISSION MOTION AT WEDNESDAYS MEETING ASKING THAT THE DECISION TO CONTINUE WITH THE LAND RECLASSIFICATION'S ARE RE VOTED.

A FOLLOW UP MOTION IF SUCCESSFUL WILL BE TO PUT ALL LAND RECLASSIFICATION'S AND SALES ON HOLD UNTIL AFTER THE POLL IN SEPTEMBER.

IT MAY COME DOWN TO THE MAYORS CASTING VOTE. SOMETHING THAT HE DOES NOT WANT IN THIS INSTANCE. WILL HE BE REMEMBERED AFTER 34 YEARS OF SERVICE AS THE ONE WHO FLOGGED OF OUR LAND? A BIT OF LOBBYING PRESSURE ON COUNCILLORS MAY BE TIMELY.

Who is holding the Hot Potato

I am told that the lead story in "Your Times" tomorrow will focus on the $24,000 outstanding debt that is owed to Council by CJ Recyclers.

Some questions we may need to ask are: Why are Mum, Dad's, Seniors and Pensioners hounded for outstanding council rates or debts, and in this instance a substantial debt of this nature allowed to go unchallenged??

Read about it in the "Your Times" tomorrow.

I am still awaiting more information on this matter as a result of a Question with Notice to Council on the 24th of April. More when it is to hand...

LEP to be re-exhibited.

Last nights meeting (Wednesday 30th of April) to consider the Wingecarribee LEP was a little bit clumsy. I was concerned about the way that the LEP was presented as a whole, with very little opportunity to bring out concerns and questions on specific items. the Mayor did try and facilitate opportunities, but the document and process of dealing with it was awkward and confusing.

I have had a good number of people actually raising concerns about missing bits and a lack of sustainability or visionary planning in the document. I am glad to say that the only comforting fact thing for me was the fact that we will ask the Dept of Planning for permission to re-exhibit. this will mean that you will now have the chance to put your thoughts on paper and make comment.

The 2002 LEP was one that in principle had a strategic vision, it promoted ecological principles and earmarked an eco enterprise zone for Moss Vale. this zone under the dictates of the entrepreneurs of council, soon became nothing more than an industrial zone.

There was a recommendation to bring Wensleydale back on the agenda, which I managed to move a motion against. This was successful. In the absence of Clr Yeo, who was on leave and Campbell-Jones who left the meeting early, the vote was tied at 5-5. the Mayor used his vote to carry my motion.

There was also an attempt by Clr Gair to bring Gibbergunyah back to the table, this was howled down, at least by the majority of Councillors.

Interesting to note that the election campaigns have now begun with a number of candidates putting their hands up. the Community Action Team is almost finalised and we will be making a public statement to that end shortly.

We are still looking for supporters to help with polling booths and other tasks in the lead up to election. i am thinking of having a meeting to discuss these issues and to introduce our team. wee would love to see you there. I would appreciate it if you could indicate your availability at least in principle. From there I will set a date. Please forward contact details of any body you may feel could be interested.

We cannot do this without your help. I am determined to "Keep Council Honest", particularly in the light of recent land re-classifications and other entrepreneurial ideas, by a group of Councillors who appear to have been putting their own agendas before the good of the wider community.