residents of Sutton Forest. To be included in decision making process

Larry's recission motion was successfully moved at last Wednesdays meeting. This will allow residents of Sutton Forest to be heard and hopefully be able to negotiate a more acceptable development which is more in keeping with the village ambience.

Check out the minutes from the 25th of June, for more information.

http://www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/files/5410/File/2008-06-25_Minutes.pdf

Lyndall McGrath. Brings Environmental Expertise to Team.

Clr Larry Whipper has welcomed Lyndall McGrath as a new member of his Community Action team.

“Lyndall has a wealth of environmental expertise which I sincerely believe will be of enormous benefit to our Community. She graduated from Wollongong University in 1988 after achieving a Bachelors of Environmental Science. She has also worked as an Environmental Consultant and produced environmental Impact Statements environmental monitoring and construction projects for the RTA; State Rail and the Electricity Commission

Her work with the RTA and the SRA involved a large amount of community consultation and state and local government liaison, giving her a valuable insight into the processes of both of these tiers of government. As well as sitting on a number of planning committees, dealing with sensitive environmental and heritage issues Lyndall has also undertaken number of social, economic and environmental assessments to ensure the environmental integrity of many large scale projects such as the M5 Motorway. She has also been a member of the Jenolan Caves Historical and Preservation Society (JCHAPS) since the early 1980’s.

Lyndall moved permanently into the Wingecarribee Shire over 7 years ago,. A major attraction was due to the cohesive community within the Wingecarribee Shire, the unique environment – both ecological and social, and it being a safe place to raise children.

Clr Whipper said that Lyndall’s environmental credentials, her concern about the lack of foresight displayed by recent planning decisions, the untapped potential of tourism opportunities and the lack of basic infrastructure maintenance to meet the needs of both retirees and young families, have struck a common chord with the values promoted by the Community Action philosophy. Being a full time mother of two children 6 and 10, and being involved in various school activities including the coaching of the basketball team, she is acutely aware of the needs of families in the shire.

I am happy to have Lyndall stand at number three on the Community Action ticket and thank her for her dedication and her desire to maintain the special values of the shire which we all know and love. Lyndall’s contribution adds significantly to the diverse skills and experience already present on the team and I am sure she will serve the people of the Shire with enormous commitment and passion.

Peter Smyth. Joins Community Action.

Clr Larry Whipper recently announced that he has invited local Businessman Peter Smyth to stand on his Community Action Ticket.

It has always been my philosophy to bring the many and diverse representations of the Wingecarribee Community on to the table at Council. One of my concerns is; the voice of many people in the community who have been increasingly stifled and ignored. The abolishment of many Council Committees is a testimony to the inability of this Council to acknowledge and welcome the direct contribution of residents in the decision-making process.

It is my intention to do my utmost to ensure that the community regains some control over the direction of council and to feel that they are being consulted and valued. It is therefore essential to have the right people with a diverse interest on Council. It is equally important that within that diversity, there is a unity of purpose, to provide a true representative government. The commitment to financial responsibility and accountability, with a serious ecological sensitivity policy should be the main priorities.

The catch cry at the last election was “Its time for change”. I believe, that promise has not been fulfilled. On the contrary, there is a substantial reduction of confidence in the community with Council resolutions. In fact, many of Council’s decisions have put our overall lifestyle at threat. In short, I believe the community has been “short changed”. It is my intention to get it right and to return to basics, rather than gamble the future of this Shire on Entrepreneurial uncertainty.

We will be promoting Community, Action. It’s NOW OR NEVER! And I am now gathering a team of people with many representative skills. I believe, we will cover all aspects of life and concern in the Shire to redress the departure from grass roots representation.

There is no doubt in my mind that there is real concern and suspicion in the mind of the community surrounding Council foray into the world of quick profits and big risks, while forgetting about the people.

Peter will bring a great amount of talent to Council.

Peter’s expertise, in financial management, with an eye for fiscal accountability, plus his concerns about the community “being kept in the dark” for too long, are his key strengths. Peter’s qualities will bring a new perspective and be a welcome addition to Larry Whipper’s Community Action Team. They are also qualities that I know will benefit Council and the Community enormously.

Peter and his wife Amanda have four children and live in the district. They employ people within the Wingecarribee Shire and run together a group of International Import/Export Companies. Peter brings a vast knowledge in Business Management Systems and will bring a new dimension to the Whipper Team. It needs to be noted that the businesses, Peter owns and operates have been born from the ground up. The challenges and processes have given Peter a wealth of experience. Peter is definitely a people person and we are immensely proud to stand a candidate with his financial and back to basics approach.
Welcome to the team Peter


Its NOW OR NEVER!!!

Borefield Not to Proceed

A call today confirmed that the Kangaloon Borefield will not be proceeding.

I believe there will be a story in Fridays Southern Highland News. This move by the State Government should not come as any suprise , particularly given that the De-Sal plant has been approved. I have always thought that the political imperative would subside after the election and when the De- Sal came on line. Sad thing is that around 2 million dollars have been spent on the project to date. Congratulations on a job well done by the local community, particularly by the Upper Nepean Groundwater Community Reference Group (UNGCRG), Council and the Save Water Alliance. Particular thanks to Leon Hall, Karen Guymer, Denis Wilson and Bernard Eddy.

History to be Bulldozed

Hi All.

I have added a copy of a recent media release about the proposed development of the OLSH site by Australand proposal below:

There will also be a meeting conducted by Council Staff at 6.30pm tomorrow evening , Monday the 16th of June at 6.30 pm in the Wilson Room at Craigeburn. This meeting will be followed by an update by the Developers, Australand at 8.00pm.

Local History to be demolished.

Clr Larry Whipper raised concerns today about the proposal for a retirement and wellness centre on the OLSH site. At a recent meeting, which was attended by around 40 people, he listened to the numerous concerns, which were raised by those who would be directly affected by the development.

“ It is quite clear that this development will change the amenity of the area forever Clr Whipper said. I also support the residents in their fear that this may be a precedent that will see other similar Seniors Living developments eroding the residential integrity of the neighbourhood, devaluing property prices and compromising the existing lifestyle of many people”.

From my reading I feel that it is becoming increasingly more evident that there is a growing opposition to the proposal in its current form.

Issues such as Traffic, infrastructure, environmental, social and amenity impacts are very real in the minds of members of the community. There are also concerns about the demolition of these buildings and possible geotechnical issues, which may affect neighbours properties as well.

“I support the neighbour’s calls for restraint and will call upon Council to refuse any separate application to demolish the buildings until such time as a final application is submitted and approved. With further negotiations there may be an opportunity for an alternate concept to gain some support from neighbours” Clr Whipper said.

I sympathize completely with the neighbours concerns, particularly given their long experience relating to the previous application and commitment by the Church to build a new School on the site, in return for a rezoning by Council. I find it sad to see the history OLSH now, standing at the point of obliteration and to acknowledge the changing character, not only of the Centennial Rd and Mount Rd area, but also the rapidly changing values of our society.

“Our Shire is crying out for a new School and with the OLSH about face and the debacle with Steiner School now being sacrificed for their development potential rather than their cultural, spiritual and social potential, it seems to indicate a society which is losing its way. If you ask me are gated seniors communities a good idea, I would say that I believe good planning should be integrative and should not segregate or divide our community! Ultimately its up to the community to make up their mind as to what they want the future of this Shire to be, hopefully it is not too late? My belief is it is Now or Never”!