Intelligent debate
Attending a meeting of Shoalhaven City Council for the first time recently I was surprised by the polite and respectful tone of the proceedings, as well as the impressive rhetoric and argument displayed by some of the speakers, which the British tradition is so renowned for.
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This was in stark contrast to the behaviour of our politicians in federal parliament, which is often unbearably aggressive and immature, and therefore not much joy to watch.
It makes me wonder why that is so, and what it tells us about the state of representative democracy in Australia.
J. Bruck, Huskisson
Don’t blame the orchids
We regret to see that SCR and MNSW (Motorcycling NSW) have chosen to use the threatened species of orchid as the sole reason for the demise of the proposal for the Motorsports complex. This is simplistic, inaccurate and unfair. MNSW must take some responsibility for its part in prolonging the assessment of this proposal and the anguish it has caused to all those affected.
The last Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) meeting held in council in June 2016 went for over three hours and was attended by over 100 people. Numerous questions and issues were raised and are yet to be addressed by MNSW. This was the third panel hearing. The threatened species of orchids was only one of the many issues discussed although obviously an important one.
At the conclusion of that June 2016 meeting, the JRPP chair listed issues requiring responses from MNSW. Amongst these were a business plan, a noise management plan, a staged Project management plan and a conservation management plan. The MNSW has not addressed any of these issues even though nine months has elapsed.
MNSW has not provided a business plan showing the cost of the project and how it will fund this. This was requested several times by the JRPP since 2015. And it is a specific requirement in the Heads of Agreement made between Shoalhaven City Council and MNSW in March 2014.
So the reason why the project is not going ahead is not just because of the orchids but because MNSW has not been able to adequately meet the requirements set by the JRPP and address pertinent issues on noise management and conservation management
D. Gallagher, Parma Yerriyong Community Association Inc
Look properly and you’ll see
I was shocked to read in Wednesday’s Register that Joanna Gash alleges that “one man who says he’s unqualified can stop this project…” This is absolute fake news.
The orchids are there for anyone to see if they look – it’s not rocket science and doesn’t need a PhD to recognise them, all you need to do is look properly. Fifty-metre transects of the site was inadequate looking during the preparation of the EIS. If the search had been thorough some years ago, significant resources would not have been wasted.
N. Burkett, Nowra
Silence on police station
Can South Coast MP Shelley Hancock provide an update on the planning process for the promised Bay and Basin police station?
There has been no mention or statement by any means regarding this most important piece of infrastructure.
Cr Bob Proudfoot and local identity Les Boucher appear to have lost their voices or have given up in their pursuit of Mrs Hancock and her election promises.
Come on guys, get back in the game and re-engage in the battle for the police station.
This state politician must be held to account for her continued non-action in the delivering of promises that have been made and remade on occasions that suit.
