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.

Southern Highland News.28.4.08

Council to investigate chamber head's debt
8:50AM Wingecarribee Shire Council will investigate whether it can recover a $24,0106 outstanding debt from Highlands Waste Services, a defunct company formerly run by Mittagong Chamber of Commerce president Charlie Johns. [more]

Letter to the Editor.Southern Highland news. 28.4.08

Dear Sir

Thanks Mac for your appraisal of the Extraordinary meeting on Wednesday the 16th of April (SHN 18.4.08). You certainly put an interesting spin on the proceedings of the evening. Like you, I was very impressed by the 400 plus residents who actually got themselves motivated enough to come along and voice their protest at the totally arrogant attitude of the majority of Councillors. The block must be an incredibly thick one, as even the pleas of 400 plus residents and rate payers could wear them down. So much for listening!

I voiced my contempt on the night at the blatant disregard of public sentiment shown by the now gang of seven. The point was continually missed by my fellow Councillors who were always determined to push ahead under a smokescreen of promises and public consultation to manipulate their own agenda.

I still cannot and will not believe that those Councillors who profess to be listening to the community, in all sincerity believe that they are acting in a fair and democratic way. Even though they would have the community believe that they will listen to the poll, I am afraid that the deal has been done. The ink has all but dried on the for sale signs.

Why was I continually goaded by Clr Malcolm Murray to commit myself to go along wit the Poll when he himself has so blatantly ignored and insulted the will and the intelligence of the community?

I did agree to abide by the result of the poll as Mac Cott pointed out, but this was conditional on the magnificent Seven showing the integrity and sincerity that comes along with their own commitment. In other words, my agreement was based on fair play, that is if they had agreed to be honourable and " taken no action in relation to the reclassification of the land" until after the polls.

They of course did not. I believe their sincerity was tested on the night and from where I sat, they failed the test. This may be because they had already made up their mind.

The deal is done. If not, they would have shown their sense democracy by holding back until the results of the poll were known, not thumbed their collective noses and continued with their double speak and attempts at patronising the crowd.

Mac, I think people know where I come from. I do not and have not ever sold this community out, nor will I try to deceive the people of the Wingecarribee, nor bamboozle them with platitudes and patronisation.

Also Mac, I would see a number of advantages in playing the popularist, rather than the unpoularist, particularly when you believe, like others, in what you are fighting for.

Faithfully yours,

Clr Larry Whipper

dont be like this!

Join us in our campaign to bring sanity back into the community decision making process. Don't believe that you cannot make a difference. You are the only thing that can.

If you have had enough of being ignored by Council. Consider supporting the Community Action Team. I will be calling a special meeting to seek support from those of you who care about the shire and want to see some commonsense and community minded local governance returned to the shire. Please email your expression of interest in attending an informal meeting via email and I will contact you closer to the time of the meeting and provide all the details.

Remember we are all in this together!

letter to the editor.

Dear Sir,

Re: Can we afford leisure centre? (SHN. 11.4.08). The simple answer is no ! The honest answer is no! And the responsible answer is of course no! Why then are we persisting?

I don't really think that any one would object to a leisure centre if we could in fact afford it. But given we can't why do some Councillors ignore this fact? Maybe the answer can be found in the election jargon of the "time for a change" team at the last election. What cannot be found in that jargon however, is the promise to sell your land or close public pools.

What can be found there in that election blurb, is a promise to listen to the people, not ignore the fact that around 90% of submissions to the LEP have been relating to and opposing the reclassification and sale of public land.

I think Mr Brewster in his letter to the editor makes some very pertinent Points and asks some very relevant questions. There will be an enormous maintenance cost accompanying this proposal as well. Nobody has spoken about that yet. How will we be able to pay for it? Even though no fault of our own, some Council investments have gone sour. Until recouped, we have to acknowledge the fact that there is an uncertainty surrounding council finances.

Don't be seduced into thinking your local pools will be safe from the eyes of our current Council Entrepreneurs (particularly if the same mind set prevails on your new council). It seems that anything that isn't tied down may be seen as collateral to fund pet projects.

It is still my belief that the construction of a leisure centre at this point in time, is an investment in financial loss. In the current economic climate of council, this will remain a drain on the resources and rates of the residents of this shire.

I believe that Councillors should to listen to the people who have entrusted them with their civic role, all the time, not just at election time! Remember there were a number of promises made at the last election. The sale of community, land was not one of them. The closure of public pools, was not one of them, nor was ignoring the community.

So it may now " Really be time for Change". Change back to a form of representation that favours the mums and dads, children, retirees and families of this shire. Time to focus on the bigger picture and Community over the personal pursuits and narrow vision of some whose actions do more to prop up the big end of town, than cater for the rest of us!

I for one have heard the message and will continue to fight not only to save your land, but to empower and save your future.

Faithfully yours.
Clr Larry Whipper.

Don't miss the line up on Wenesday the 16th of April

No it is not April Fools Day, Council are actually going to vote to reclassify and sell your public land. There is a motion being put forward by Clrs Malcolm Murray and Paul Tuddenham. I believe this to be directly in response to the public outcry on this matter. Of course they say it is because they are listening to the people! And maybe they are, but only to save their political necks. If we were not only 6 months out from an election, I do not think the community would be getting this concession!

Even with the concession there still remains around 20 blocks up for grabs, including Bowral Pool. There is also a proposal to sell the Old Sewage Treatment Plant site at Mittagong, which is behind the Big W.

Some say that the land sale proponents have devised a strategy to divide and conquer the opposition. I still believe that the community will oppose this fire sale mentality on principle. It is essential that we stand together. It is also important to remember that we are are not far out from an election. You must ask yourself "can I trust these Councillors, who are proposing and continuing to support the reclassification and sale of public land? What will they come up with as a money making strategy and entrepreneurial venture in the in the next term. And can the community afford it?"

I am proposing to move an amendment at the meeting. It will probably come after the land cited by the ruling junta has been given as a gift gift to the community and the 30 or so lots have been removed from the list. Having then proven that they ahve listened, you may then find that they again choose not to listen. The proof is always in the pudding. Lets see what eventuates. My amendment will be this:

1) That Council not proceed with the reclassification of any community land as identified in the LEP, including Bowral pool

2) That Council endorse the sale of the old STP site in Roscoe Street Mittagong.

3) That the proceeds of the sale be invested in the upgrading of Mittagong and Moss Vale Pools and the covering of Bowral Public pool to create an all year round swimming centre for the shire.

From the Whisper: Councils Newsletter.

Latest on land reclassification.

The Whisper
No. 544 Thursday 3rd April 2008
A weekly publication for Wingecarribee Shire Council staff

The next step with reclassification of community land
The residents have spoken, now it is the Councillors turn
Following the exhibition period of the Draft LEP Council will now conduct two extraordinary council
meetings in the Bowral Memorial Hall on Wednesday 16 and Wednesday 30 April commencing at
3.30pm. The first meeting will consider the reclassification of community land in the Local
Environmental Plan, while the 30th April meeting will consider the final endorsement of the LEP. The
Bowral Memorial Hall will to allow a greater number of
community members to observe the process, catering for 400
people, while the Civic Centre Chambers can legally cope with just
100. It is stressed that these will be formal special extraordinary
council meetings, so only councillors can debate the issues – that is
the procedure at extraordinary council meetings. Members of the
community have had their turn at all the public meetings and in
their submissions, but these meetings are for Councillors to have
their say and vote on the matters.
Parks proposed to be removed
from the reclassification list
A Notice of Motion will be considered at the extraordinary council
meeting on 16th April, proposing to remove thirteen parks and
seven properties from the reclassification list in the draft LEP.
Following the democratic and extensive public consultation
process undertaken by council, the notice of motion proposes to
remove the following parks and properties from the list;
Parks
Yeo Park in Yarrawa Street Moss Vale, Ritchie Park in Suttor
Road Moss Vale, Thwaites Park in Twickenham Place Moss
Vale, Broughton Park in Broughton Street Bundanoon, Acacia
Park Janice Crescent Moss Vale, Rotary Park in Old Bowral
Road Mittagong, Venables Park in Una Street Bowral, Apex
Park in Price Street Bowral, Westwood Park in Westwood Drive
and College Street Bowral, Henderson Park in Pine Street Moss
Vale, Waratah Park in Street Colo Vale, Waratah Park (Jasmine
Street) Colo Vale, Mineral Springs Reserve at Mittagong.
Properties
Soma Avenue in Bowral, Rytina Place in Moss Vale, Dyson Place in Moss Vale, Ben Nevis Circuit in
Bundanoon, Meryla Street in Robertson, Wilson Drive in Balmoral, Tulip Close in Bowral.
Land proposed to remain on the reclassification list
Provided the Notice of Motion is adopted at the extraordinary council meeting on 16th April, the
following land will remain on the reclassification list in the draft LEP.
Queen Street in Moss Vale, Argyle Street in Moss Vale, Mylora Street in Hill Top, Mylora Street in
Hill Top (2), Harold Street in Hill Top, Davy Street in Mittagong, Stanley Terrace in Moss Vale,
Woodbine Street in Bowral, East Kangaloon RFS site, Old Hume Highway in Berrima, Anembo Street
in Moss Vale, Drapers Road in Braemar, Lackey Road in Moss Vale, Cherry Tree Close in Moss Vale,
Bevan Place in Bowral, Oxley Hill Road in Bowral, Woodville Road in Moss Vale, Bowral Pool,
Oxley Street in Berrima, The old STP site in Roscoe Street Mittagong.

Borefield Environmental Assessment on Exhibition

The exhibition period for the Kangaloon borefield extractions has commenced. At this stage it is anticipated that it will be on exhibition from the 2nd April 2008 until the 5th of may 2008. I have included a few links for those of you who may be interested.

The community reference group are still opposed to the extraction and believe that given the Governments priority should be the de -sal plant, particularly given their commitment to the project. Of course the UNGCRG have always supported recycling, water efficiency and harvesting of stormwater as the first defence against Sydney's water crisis.

Council's Environment Committee along with Councillors will get a presentation from the SCA. We are also asking for an extension for the exhibition period. the UNGCRG w are preparing a submission. I will ask Council to support the stand of the reference group, as they have done in the past.

The EA is now available on the website of the Department of Planning http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/major_projects.asp under (Part 3A Major Developments - on exhibition)

As we now, it has been declared critical Infrastructure.

There are other documents on the project accessible through the link http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/06_0331.asp

Donna Sowry is the Public Relations person for the project. She is extremely helpful and available on the following email.

Donna.Sowry@sca.nsw.gov.au

The project overview is available on the following link.

http://www.sca.nsw.gov.au/dams-and-water/metropolitan-water-plan/groundwater-investigations-community-consultation

Beware of Nick's bearing Gifts.

Hi All,

It has been confirmed that Malcolm Murray will move a motion ( a possible vote getter) Nick who will not stand again, will second it. The motion will be to remove all parks from the for sale list. The Plan is to move to sell of the old sewerage treatment plant in Mittagong instead. Motion will be moved at the meeting of the 16th. Looks like Nick has been worn down. He did tell me a week or so ago that he was getting too tired to
tired to fight and would consider removing parks, but leaving
reserves. He must have thought further on the matter.

I , am very suspicious about this latest strategy. I have seen some councillors, still intent on getting their own way, manipulate public sentiment and, as Cam Ford from the Moss Vale Action Group has said, use this to divide and conquer!

My feeling is that the public land sale proponents are getting overwhelmed by what they call the noisy minority and are running scared. This strategy is designed to put up yet another smoke screen and confuse the community, while allowing them to continue to build the White Elephant that will still cost enormous amounts of rate payers monies in maintenance. It will not stop the sale of Bowral Pool, nor will it stop the possible closure of other pools to pay for the ongoing maintenance costs.

Nick indicated to me after the Stateline taping, that he was getting tired and would probably take the parks of the for sale list. He said we would have to sell the Mittagong sewerage site however. Question: are these his to sell??

Be very careful of Greeks bearing these type of gifts. I am trying to think of a significant amendment t raise at the meeting in an attempt to expose this move for what it is (i.e) a self interested strategy, rather than the response to public concern that the land sale proponents will try to push down every one's throats. Let me know if you have any ideas.

the earth says thank you

Last Wednesday evening Council unanimously voted (in the absence of Clr Jim Mauger) to go to the public with a model for our next application to the Minister for another 5 year Environment levy . The model accepted by Council, if supported by the community and subsequently the Minister, will raise $5,391,799.55, for ongoing restoration and maintenance of our Environment.

To date the WOFE (Wingecarribee Our Future Environment Levy) has been one of the very real success stories of this shire. It has engaged Community members, school children,private landholders and others within the shire in the protection and healing of our local area.

To get to the stage where this levy is seen as an important part of Councils operations has not been an easy task. It has been a long battle. One that many bushcare, landcare and others with the community have assisted me in.

It is exciting to see an awakening within the mind of Council on this matter. Of course we have a very long way to go, but it seems that we are starting to acknowledge honestly the value of our precious environment and the advantage of having a special rate to protect it.

As we continue to work with private landholders and help them to maintain valuable stand of native forest on their properties and to educate school children and assist those amazing volunteers who continue to selflessly do so much work for the benefit of our shire and future generations, we can do so in the knowledge that there is an increasing acceptance of environmental issues within Council.

It is my hope that this will continue to grow and that we will eventually be in a position to strike a special rate in perpetuity. The public consultation process will commence in a month or so. The application needs to go to the Minister sometime in June. Hopefully by July, we will be in to our third term of WOFE. This is an incredibly satisfying reality for me.

Please look out for the public consultation phase and encourage friends and supporters to give their written support to the Environment levy. there will be many more important environmental projects under way soon.

Thanks again to all of you for your practical and financial contribution to our natural environment in the Wingecarribee Shire. It wouldn't be the same without you.

Media Release: Water Charge.

Clr Larry Whipper has raised concerns about the possibility of Wingecarribee Shire Councils water utilities being subsumed by Sydney water. “ Such a move would disempower the local community and have very real financial implications for all local water users.

The government believes that many Local Water Utilities face constant challenges to plan and deliver reliable services, but this does not appear to be the case in the Wingecarribee.

For many years Council have been the local water Authority and although part of the Sydney water catchment have in effect had autonomy over water and sewer services. We have been very successful I this area, in fact, in 2006 Wingecarribee Council was actually voted as one of the top ten best sewerage award recipients. This was largely due to the very expert staff management of these utilities.

There is the belief among country councils that a change is inevitable and there has been talk of our Council possibly being forced to align with Goulburn-Mulwaree or the Shoalhaven.

“Obviously our Council has concerns, particularly when this will have such a financial impost upon Councils revenue and resources. We have a strong desire to remain a stand-alone water utility in one form or another. This sector of Council’s operation is indeed very viable at the moment”. Clr Whipper said.

Sydney waters charges are also predicted to rise substantially in the future, some believe that this will be needed to fund the proposed desalination plant to sure up Sydney’s water.

“I am afraid I have become very skeptical when our State Government start talking about water reforms of this nature. Some believe it is just another attempt to legitimize their pilfering of water from the Shoalhaven and the Wingecarribee”.

“This seems like another move to cripple local rural government utilities and rope them in even further in an attempt to make sure that Sydney’s and their own political survivals are shored up, even if this is at the expense of everybody else.

“Such a move could also put our local water resources at further risk, particularly when recent reforms are opening the way for water trading rights and the potential for water shares to become an even greater reality. Under the current state philosophy, I guess we cannot even write off the eventual privatization of these utilities as well”.

“Maybe this is could explain the growing interest in the water resources of the Southern Highlands”?

Council will further debate the subject on Wednesday night.

Keeping the "B's" honest

An Extraordinary Meeting of Council will be held on Wednesday 16 April 2008 to consider the Reclassification of Community land the meeting it will be in the Bowral Memorial Hall commencing at 3.30pm.

There will also be an Extraordinary Meeting of Council be held on Wednesday 30 April 2008 in the Bowral Memorial Hall commencing at 3.30pm to consider the final endorsement of the Local Environmental Plan.

These meeting are very important. The first (ie) 16th of April will be D day or decision day for the reclassifications. One of the "D" Block, is starting to show signs that he is under mounting pressure. He told me the other night that he may consider taking the parks off the reclassification list. This will as he said still leave the reserves in jeopardy.

I have heard that some are trying to seek legal advice, with an aim to mount a possible challenge. I haven't had confirmation of this as yet.

There was a strong turn out last week for the taping of a piece fro Stateline. People gathered at the Bowral Pool and westwood Park as well. The piece is scheduled to air on ABC, Friday March 28, at 7.30pm.

Please help stop the rifle range at hilltop.

From: Julie Cook
Date: 19/03/2008 6:01:58 PM
To: No Gun Club
Subject: Exhiition of State Proposal


Dear All,

Here is a submission letter for you to sign and send or drop into the boxat the shop. Please forward this letter to all your friends so we get the word out about this outrageous proposal. adding your own comments on the back or a separate sheet is very important too.

Council is supporting our group to oppose the State proposal and we will meet with them again next week to inform their submission. Our consultants and lawyers are forming up a substantial submission for HTRAG and have found all EA reports from DoS to be grossly inadequate and unable to be considered by the Minister - so this will stop in its tracks for some time (if not for good which is our aim). Community input from individuals is very important.

Media is starting this week to bring this proposal and the existing contamination and fauna issues and dodgy public consultation and planning processes into the public arena - SMH next Wednesday is taking it on so keep your eyes open - letters to the editor and talk back radio are all good - Alan Jones etc. This needs to be loud.

Here is the link to theDoS reports again http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/major_projects.asp (ensure you are in the Exhibitions page and click the "3a projects" button the left -) scroll down or search "shooting"

If you have any specific comments about any sections please reference them and send them to us. We will be passing all community comments to our planners.

Please respond to nogunclub@optusnet.com.au with any queries

Please post the attached letter - by 27 March or drop into the Hill Top Shop Box by that date.

Julie Cook
for
HTRAGI

message for your information

Dear friends

This is to invite you all to participate in the annual Koori Flagraising Ceremony at nin garang thurree currobung (The Place Between the Rocks) near Cherry Tree rest area in Gibbergunyah Reserve, to commemorate that this land is and forever will be the spiritual home of the traditional owners, the Gundungurra people.

Friends of Gibbergunyah, your families and friends, are invited to attend the ceremony which will take place around 3.00pm on Saturday 12th April 2008 at the designated place.

Refreshments and cold drinks will be provided, but please bring your own eats and drinks if you wish. From here there are short trails to the 90 Acre Hill Lookout with extensive views of the Gundungurra lands.

We will once again attempt the mirror flash experiment with Katoomba. This year we have our own volunteer who will be flashing from Katoomba (weather permitting)

We extend a welcome to Gundungurra and other Koori people w ho wish to be a part of this event.

Please pass this information on throughout your networks to make this a special event.

Please contact me if you have any queries, suggestions or contributions to make.

recission defeated

friends, the recission motion to stop reclassification of public land until at least after the poll at the next election was soundly defeated at the last council meeting. clr jim mauger went against his previous support for our original motion to vote against the recission. myself, clr clark and clr sara murray were the only ones to support the recission. from this it would appear that other councillors are not really concerned about peoples concerns about losing their land. it is a great concern that they are so fixated on teh leisure centre, right ot wrong. i will bring a motion back again in three months time, which is the soonest i can do so. it seems that the council electrion on the 13th of september is our last chance to correct the imbalance and really make sure the community's concerns are heard.