Red Head Villages Association meet with Department of Planning

Today's meeting of the Department of Planning, The Red Head Villages Association, Councillors and Council staff I believe was a first and in my opinion was an integral part of breaking down communication barriers that exist.

Regional director Brett Whitworth travelled to the seaside village of Manyana to address the concerns raised by the association in regards to Caravan park/ Manufactured home parks development and the departments approach to the sensitive urban lands review in the upcoming Local Environment Plan changes.

The local environment plan review has been underway for at least 3 years and is premised on an administrative change over that sees current zones swapped over to new zones that are as similar as is possible within the context of reducing zone types from +50 down to +20.

Shoalhavens reputation as a developer friendly spot rezoning city has many people suspicious of the zoning changes. The community consultative groups from across the city have gathered together and created a Local Environment Review Group to try and start making sense of the draft before it gets on exhibition-problem is that the draft comes without the relevant maps which will not be available until the exhibition period starts proper.

So as a community we are nervous about the expansion of manufactured home estates throughout the region as it is the last thing we need to compound some of the problems we face with aging and missing infrastructure and the lack of sustainability that this type of so called 'affordable housing' supports.

The Department of Plannings representative did not give us the unequivocal answers that we wanted but there was a great sign of relief to know that the relevant state environment planning policy's (21 and 36) relating to caravan parks and manufactured homes have been tagged for priority review. Brett Whitworth indicated that he favoured a site compatibility certificate which would help weed out the really speculative proposals.

The Red Head Villages Association executive are a well prepared group of people, who have spent an extraordinary amount of time getting to know and understand the local environment planned changes. I think they understand it more than some of the Councillors do. They have weighed up the implications and asked the serious questions-it is a rare day that the bureaucracy's meets with the people to at least understand their perspective. For me it was a pleasure and honour to facilitate the meeting and represent the people of my ward in a forum that is surely a first.

Cancun Climate Talks- an Epic fail?

Monday mornings are often contemplative for me as I enjoy the remnants of the weekend mixed in with the diary review of the week ahead.

My thoughts this morning turned to the Cancun climate talks, which in my opinion have been missing in action in the media that I generally enjoy (mostly radio and online) or else I have been like world leaders and put my head in the sand when it comes to the issue of Climate Change.

I dont think my head is in the sand at all- I feel as though I have moved through the stages of mourning for a world in climate chaos- from anger and disbelief onto acceptance and hope, but it is the moments of lack of action that send you packing back down the scale to depression-almost to despair.

Last year when the Copenhagen talks happened just before Christmas, I felt as did many an air of expectance, that surely there had been a level of maturity reached in the conversation that no one could possibly deny firm action and yet the world came away from the talks no firmer in its will to do something!

No wonder then this years talks are a little of the radar, like a child avoiding punishment who could lay blame for not wanting to turn up to once again 'COP a flogging'.

The outcome recieved without fanfare includes a

Green Climate Fund to support money transfer from first world to majority world to adapt to climate change.

A technology executive to get green technology transfer to those who need it.

A commitment to cease clear fell deforestation- It is this one that I find so woeful on a local level.

With deforestation (aka Forestry) contributing up to 120Mt CO2 per annum in Australia we are well placed to make an easy and popular decision to start tackling emission by ceasing to harvest native forest and make sure that plantation timber is a carbon neutral industry- creating green jobs in the process.

Yet the very agreement from Cancun that Australia signed up to exclude our home grown industry- seems that Colonial attitudes still abound that our forests are not as valuable as rainforest in tropical locations. Our forests provide essential natural services and are excellent carbon sinks.

So rather than vent my entire spleen here my course of action for the week goes something like this.
Contemplate and try hard not to dwell. Continue to talk about climate change it is the biggest issue of our time and no one should think they have the excuse to say 'but I didnt know'. Work on resiliance for my family-grow more food- install more solar. Remain focused on getting a community wind project realised.

Climate Camp 2010-

On the fence

or on the track . All united to stop run away climate change

Climate Camp 2010 an absolute success.

I had the great pleasure to attend Sundays direct action @ Lake Liddell - a man made lake that feeds water to the Bayswater coal powered generator.

For me- not only participating in my own small way was empowering-but spending the time quietly listening to the stories of people assembled. Some of them telling their stories as official speakers others in conversation with friends, stories about climate change, hope and renewal.

The event was populated with mostly young people which by itself is inspirational as they are taking action into their own hands and not waiting for anyone else to express their desires for a safer world.

Recent media once again reiterated that current climate change indicators are trending way beyond the limits of climate models. With the pace of warming we can expect an increase of global temperatures of 6-7 degrees-which is a catastrophic warming which is extincting species on the plant already at a pace that outstrips historic mass extinctions.

We are a society hell bent on our own destruction.

Bayswater was a significant site in the lead up to State Government announcement which will see Bayswater B awarded to some electricity supplier who will invest billions in more pollution when the solution is renewable energy.

Renewable's are not a green fantasy but an imperative if we are pull anything from the wreckage of climate change.

Beyond Zero Emissions have been moving from state to state presenting their Zero Carbon Australia Stationary energy Plan which clearly outlines our renewable future. Read at least the executive summary to be convinced that it is possible and we have the technology now.

So the 70 plus people arrested during yesterdays action will have to deal with the system of law, but where is the accountability on reckless government leading us helter skelter to climate catastrophe.Without direct actions helping the message cut through, political webs will continue to make poor decisions that effect us now and well into the future.

Glad I took the drive in my bio fuel driven vehicle to be part of the message and to be re-inspired and hope filled-thanks people-you truly are specially amazing.

Assulted and Insulted by Local Developer

Today the Joint Regional Planning Panel gave approval for the master plan for Claydon Park Retirement Complex ( see previous blog).

I look for silver linings and appreciated the recommendation that came from the panel that tied the development of the Residential High Care Facility to the second stage of the development rather than the fourth stage. The removal of the high care facility from the first stage in the original concept had raised suspicion amongst the community that it would never be delivered.

The second stage of the development brings online a large portion of the self care home sites.

The panel had taken the time to check out the location and consider the context of the development and the pressure that would be on the local hospital and existing high care facilities especially when it comes to palliative care.

As I was leaving the meeting the developer David Matthew approached me grabbed my arm and started to aggressively accuse me of not representing the community and for not coming to see him to discuss the plans, he slapped my chest twice with the back of his hand while telling me that I had sensationalised the issues without giving him the chance to address.

In my opinion Mr Matthew was certainly well supported with at least 4 people speaking in favour of his development.

To say that I was not representing my community is a gross insult. I represented the people who didn't agree with Mr Matthew's point of view- and he shouldn't expect that all people will be on his side during the journey.

It must have upset him greatly to have such a reaction from him- maybe he didn't approve of the high care facility being brought forward.

Now we as  a community will await the development applications as they come in for each stage and give our response to Council.

Claydon Park Retirement Living and the Joint Regional Planning Panel

Tomorrow the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) will deliberate an outcome for the Claydon Park Retirement Complex a master planned village which will be home to 260 self care dwellings and an 80 bed residential care facility.

The proposal sits on Class 1 agricultural land next to the village of Milton at the bottom of the hill.

Council is supporting the application, but I believe that they haven't looked at the application in a strategic context for projected retirement living already planned for the area. This will be one of the points I will make in a presentation to the JRPP.

The proponent of this development has been working on this project for many years and has in my opinion given the town 'developer fatigue'-where he started out with a plan that was completely hideous, moved on to a manufactured homes park and then has turned out this proposal covered in real estate gloss promising a complex that will have everything a resident will ever need including a boutique dairy to produce ice cream, fruit and nut groves and a well being centre.

 Sounds appealing- but the likelihood of it ever coming to fruition is again in my opinion very slim. I think this way because this developer gave glamorous undertakings for one of his in town projects and has subsequently put the land with its plans on the market with a substantial mark up from the original purchase price. There was also the promise of the high care facility being the immediate need and therefore stage one.  For the first project gone are the promises of artisans using quality materials to build unique terrace homes with a quality retail element. This mode of operation can be seen all across NSW.

what is in the pipeline for aged care across Milton area

A recent extension to the existing retirement village.

An approved 80 bed high care facility just 5klms down the road.

A rezoning of  30hect to allow for retirement living (on more marginal agricultural land) again within 5 klms of the village.

Extra home care packages for people who wish to stay at home.

what is needed

More palliative care and the staff to operate.

Better planning so that smaller retirement units are clustered within existing residential areas giving older people a real connection to community.

Pressure from state government for those care packages that have been released but not in use to be activated.

Most Coastal towns and villages are heading in the direction of having more than 60% of their population over 60, we have a real challenge and obligation as planners to make sure that any new homes built today have doors and hallways wide enough for wheel chairs, reinforced walls for railings in bathrooms and at least one entry to the home accessible without stairs-you get the picture-just basic changes for adaptable housing. Adaptable Housing was not supported by Councillors as the cost made homes not affordable. It is far more affordable to prepare for change at the outset of a project than to retrofit a poorly designed house. If more buildings used higher standards it would soon be accepted as the norm.

The other challenge/obligation is to not forget that vibrant and functional communities are blended with all ages and stages not dense clusters of one archetype-this type of social engineering has failed before and will be destined to fail again as we just don't seem to learn from some of our mistakes.

We have to make provisions for our young people who are ending up not only in the minority but also without a voice.

So I'm of to prepare some speaking notes for tomorrows panel and try my best to convince them that this project is speculative, doesn't meet demand, and shouldn't be abusing the State Environment Planning Policy SEPP (Housing for Seniors or People with a Disability) 2004

Lake Conjola and Community representation.

Photo Courtesy of DIPNR: Note the sand spit which is the favoured
nesting site for visiting shore birds.

Last Thursday the Southern Natural Resources and Flood Plain management Committee made the decision to delay any action in regards to opening Lake Conjola.

The bulldozers were due to start work this morning to cut a channel to open the lake to the sea.

The committee came to a consensus decision that spending the meagre budget to open Lake Conjola at this point in time would not only be a waste of money but a serious imposition on the nesting endangered shorebirds ( Little Terns), and likely to fail given the low volume of water in the catchment.

Opening a lake is more likely to have a sustained effect if there is a good head of flood water behind the entrance cut to help force away the gazillions of tonnes of sand that have migrated via tidal forces to the northern end of the beach.

The opening of Lake Conjola is a hot button issue that sparks all sorts of reactions particularly on the lead up to Christmas holidays- so to come to this decision was not just logical but could even be expressed as monumental and proves that community does have the capacity to make decisions that may go against a preferred policy position but are the most beneficial given the circumstance.

Lake Conjola's entrance management plan has always sought to keep the Lake opened as it used to be an unsewered area and was subject to rogue spills in the catchment. It is also a low lying area that is flood prone. Since the development of the policy the sewer has been put on reducing the risk of human waste entering the system. Floods however can not be planned for or manipulated. The current position taken by the committee makes sure that if the threat of flood is imminent then  the lake can be opened.

Natural Burials in the Shoalhaven

My request for a report and feasability study for natural burials in Shoalhaven has lead to a trial for two years.

Council have set aside a portion of the main cemetry at Nowra to accomodate natural burials- the move has been well recieved by berevment services across the city who see it as a progressive move.

heres what Council had to say in its press release.




Shoalhaven Council resolved at its last meeting to approve a trial Natural Burial Portion at the Shoalhaven Memorial Gardens.


The 24 month trial is to determine the community’s reaction to the concept which is a growing trend throughout the world.


The term Natural Burials refers to the management of the deceased body using more traditional and natural methods.


This usually means the body is covered in a shroud and buried in an environmentally friendly box made of cardboard or organic materials such as wicker or plantation timber enabling a natural decomposition that then nourishes the earth.


After interment, a natural burial would see the ground restored to its natural state as soon as possible, as the grave would be marked with a rock or natural shrub rather than a monument.


The land set aside for natural burial could then be used for alternative, but appropriate purposes in the future.


All practices involved with natural burials must comply with the NSW Public Health Regulation (Disposal of Bodies 2000).


This sustainable funeral practice dates back thousands of years but has been interrupted in modern times by technological advances, however since the 1990’s there has been an increasing popularity in this greener alternative.

I hope that people catch on to the idea of natural burial as it is certainly a alternative to spreading ashes in different locations ( I think that this is also a great method of ritual ).

Please Weed, Proetct Biodiversity, Build Resilience

One of the first things I did today was put a new blade in my trusty pocket saw a sleek Wolf Garten that has assisted in many murders-of Privet and Lantana. I topped up my poison bottle and headed of to the gully prepared to do real damage.

Its a funny thing going to 'war' with plants for the real agenda is building resilience. The little patch I've been working on for the last 7 years with lots of help from friends and relatives is showing signs of greater resilience and today's expedition was a real treat.

The first sounds when entering the patch was the fantastic calls of whip birds I find them kind of elusive as their big sounds lead you on a bizarre meander in search of the utterer. I put my head down and got to work- close to the soft brown earth that was alive with all sorts of creatures going about their business and even though I was creating a path of destruction little brown birds or lbb's and blue wrens were curious enough to come and check it out. I think they like the disturbance as it produces things they like to eat.

The perfume from the Privet was overwhelming but the best bit about working during flowering is the ability to search and destroy - so it is well worth the immersion if your body can stand it.

I found myself in all sorts of weird positions as the creek bank was very steep but the best position was the base of a Koda tree that was getting close to blooming. Unfortunately Honeysuckle had decided to try and squeeze the life out of it. I set to work at the base and chopped honeysuckle coils that were as thick as bananas I was obsessed with releasing the tree from its bonds it was as though the struggle of the tree became the metaphor for what has been happening around me- but this time I was in control, I could take direct and firm action- not waiting for decisions to be made on my behalf. I was going to improve the chances of survival in an uncertain world.

Coming to the end of the task I laughed aloud to whatever was listening, joyful and empowered I felt a little like Harry from Carey's- Bliss who had overcome the weeds and planted the nectar trees for the love of Honey. Successful in building resilience and supporting biodiversity on which we depend.

Boundabah Creek maybe a Privet central but today's efforts unveiled tree frens, young Eucs, a special Lilly that is at its most northern reaches , and a Koda free from the bonds of honeysuckle a day of protecting biodiversity, a day of renewal from weary battles that feel as if they have no relevance in a dying world.

I left behind the ticks and leaches and was rewarded with a cup of tea and a garden salad with crunchy asparagus fresh baby beets and the words ringing in my ears- Please Weed, protect biodiversity, build resilience.

NSW Takes step towards cleaner politics

Media Release


John Kaye MLC

Greens NSW MP

28 October 2010

NSW takes step towards cleaner politics

Negotiations between the Greens and the Keneally government have produced an election funding and donations reform package that will significantly reduce the impacts of big money on politics in this state, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: "The final package is far from perfect but it is much better than the current laws. It creates a starting point for driving money politics out of NSW.

"It can now pass through the Upper House with the combined votes of Labor and the Greens who together can form a majority.

"We spoke to the Coalition but there was little progress that could be made with parties that are expecting a flood of corporate donations for the March 2011 election.

"The outcome is a big step forward but we were unable to convince Labor on a ban on all corporate donations, smaller caps on expenditure and a more effective model for restricting third parties.

"The package provides a public election campaign funding model that will protect political diversity.

"Labor met us half way by abandoning their original tiered campaign finance model which would have destroyed new and emerging parties and locked in power for the Coalition and Labor.

"The new progressive tiered funding model and start-up money for new parties will maintain a dynamic political landscape that will allow new ideas to be tested before the voters.

"While the new public funding model will not deliver a significant increase in campaign funding for the Greens, it will allow smaller parties the opportunity to put their case to the people of NSW.

"We would have preferred more progress on key areas of corporate donations, caps and third parties but we believe that this is the best that can be achieved at this time.

"This is only a first step and there will be an on-going need for reform until corporate money politics are driven out of this state.

"The Greens will be voting for the package, recognising its imperfections. It is a big step forward over the current system that does not limit donations or expenditure.

"We expect the Coalition will be unhappy and to try to destroy progress on limiting campaign donations.

"We will not allow progress towards cleaner politics in NSW to be undermined by cheap tricks.

"The progress that has been made is a tribute to my former colleague Senatorelect Lee Rhiannon and her staff, the Director of Democracy for Sale Dr Norman Thompson and the community groups and academics who have worked hard to end the influence of money over politics," Dr Kaye said.


Key points negotiated between the Greens and Labor

Positive outcomes of negotiations

Donation caps apply across groups of companies

• Labor's proposed cap on corporate donations of $5,000 to a party and $2,000 to a candidate will now apply to a group of companies, closing a dangerous loophole.

Fairer public funding for parties and independents

• Labor abandoned its tiered funding model that discriminated against new, emerging and small parties. The new model is based on capped reimbursement for expenditure. Public funding will help end reliance on
corporate donations while providing funding to support diversity in politics

• A modest new and small parties start-up/policy development fund.

Issues where Labor would not move

Expenditure caps

• Legislative Assembly party candidates capped at spending $100,000 with independent candidates capped at $150,000. This is too high but better than no cap.

• The state-wide party spending cap is $100,000 for each of the 93 seats a party contests. The maximum cap is $9.3 million and a party cannot spend more than $50,000 in one seat. This is too high.

Third parties

• third parties can still receive donations of $2,000. This is too high but better than no cap.

• Overall third party cap of $1.05 million with a limit of $20,000 spent in one electorate. This is high, but previously there was no cap at all.

Mixed messages on Crabon Taxing and Electricty Bills.

In a newspaper clipping last week Liberal Joanna Gash made some very odd statements.

Firstly -that power companies were putting up electricty because of uncertainty over carbon taxes.

Then- requested residents place stickers on their electricty bills demanding that the Labor party do nothinig about a carbon tax.

The article then went on to becry the story of Mrs Blogs having a $1000 power bill.

We need a carbon tax and we need it yesterday- we have to do more in this country to kick start action against climate change and a straight carbon tax would be useful, easy to understand and hopefully not put billions of tax payers funds into the hands of big polluters.

As for a $1000 electricty bill-I think Ms Gash would be better of referring such a person to the Department of Environment who sponsored the training of many 'energy consultants' who come to your palce check out how you live and then suggest ways to do it better and ultimately reduceing your monthly outgoings.

I still can not believe how many homes I see with mega amounts of power hungry downlights and air conditioners set at antarctic temperatures.

Mrs Gash should use her parliamentry position in a much more clever manner and lobby for improved energy ratings for day to day 'time saving' devices such as washing machines, fridges and dishwashers. How nice it would be to see under performing items have additional tax added and the most efficient devices have little to no tax at all.  How bizarre that some of the most efficient devices are not available in Australia.

Just another day in mixed message land

Liberal Scheming and Conniving at Local Government Conference Albury 2010

I was voted unanimously by Shoalhave City Councillors to be the alternative delegate for the Local Government Conference in Albury. Being the alternative delegate should mean that ALL voting rights for the conference are passed onto me should one of the delegates be unable to attend the conference.

Liberal colleagues Gareth Ward, Andrew Guile, David Bennett and would be Brumerskyji stitched up all the voting rights for the executive elections by handing on Guiles proxy to Brumerskyji- a voting right that should have come to me because of Guile's no show for the conference.

It was all part of the machinations in an attempt by the Liberals to claim a majority of the executive positions on the association, they tried to seize as many votes as they could. I spoke to many other Councillors from other Council areas who had similar things happen to them.

So the result of their scheming at this point is not known as the executive ballots have not yet been finally cast- although I do know that an independent has been voted in as president.

It seems that the NSW Liberals will stop at nothing in gathering as many positions of power in all manner of associations across the state.

I spoke to a member of the Aboriginal Lands Council who claims that Gareth Ward effectively threatened members of the Council should they not tow the line and vote the Liberal candidates in. It made for some very angry delegates from the Aboriginal Land Council- and makes the mind boggle at the low level of politics being displayed by some.

Manyana Bendelong- face massive commercial development

Tonight's Ordinary Council meeting (19 Oct 2010)saw Council support a massive Commercial Development for the sleepy coastal holiday villages of Manyana Bendalong.
The area currently has around 900 dwellings which are 70% unoccupied for most of the year with the population exploding over the Xmas period as people visit their holiday homes.
A developer has put forward an application for 14 shops in a commercial area-with the first stage building 7 shops. In an attempt to bring the development to be more in scale with the village- I put forward with the support of Clr Miller and Clr Fergusson a consent condition that would have seen only five shops built and further justification brought to Council before the next stage commences.

I thought that this was a reasonable option that would be a better outcome for the community in that there wouldn't be a great big commercial white elephant in their midst and the developer would have half a chance at filling the smaller amount of shops.

However Clrs in their wisdom seemed to think that my reduction in shop numbers was against business and couldn't see the writing on the wall that shops will sit empty until the permanent population increases. Meantime the two small business that exist in the area will have to close when the development is complete and in my opinion the one with the ability to fund a larger operation will get the prime spot in the new shopping centre.

The developer will have 5 years to commence the development- so I wonder when the new shops will emerge and what the outcome will be.

Wind Power in the Shoalhaven

Government time moves more slowly than regular time, especially when

a) there are perceived financial constraints

b) the political will doesn't exist

c) a combination of the above where the political will creates financial constraints.

This afternoon Shoalhaven Council will take some tiny baby steps towards furthering a sustainable future agenda, when it holds a briefing for Councillors on wind power options for the Shoalhaven.

This is not a new topic by any means as the Council showed support for wind power generation on rural land by including it as a valid use in the upcoming Local Environment Plan.

Also Council supported a joint initiative with the Southern Councils group (which includes Shoalhaven, Wingecarabbie, Eurobodalla, Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama) to pursue a wind power future for the South Coast area. This was the birthing of the Green Jobs Illawarra project which hopes to see our very own steel supply network start to manufacture wind components rather than import the lot from other countries and to train people in the necessary skills to develop the industry.

Anyway back to the wind briefing at Shoalhaven- The briefing will hopefully bring Councillors up to speed with the wind industry and what benefits there are for being part of the early entry into the wind market. from my perspective I see it as a fantastic opportunity for a community driven project that STOPS big power companies coming into our area and dictating the terms and conditions to us- but the reverse- a wind power project that includes people who want to be included through the issue of a prospectus. This idea is not new either and is based on the Bendigo bank model.

So what are the advantages of a community wind power project-it helps us to set the agenda and not wait for federal or state funding to provide us with non polluting energy-it wont happen- or it will be to little action too late.
We help to buffer ourselves from outrageous power costs as the state government seems to be struggling under the weight of rundown infrastructure and its desperate case to sell of power assets that are an uncertain investment in a carbon constrained world.
Its much easier for a community to get behind a project that is being driven locally. Unlike the Capital Wind project in Bungendore that was put upon the community -not to drive Canberra's power needs but to supply the massive amounts of power used by Sydney's desalination plant.
We don't have to have a massive wind installation- just one or two turbines within our landscape to help generate local power needs.
The installation of turbines sends a clear message to visitors to our area that we are serious about tackling climate change (as we should be with so many coastal assets  at risk).

Of course we will have to weigh up the positives with the negatives and hopefully today's briefing will at least give Councillors some background knowledge based in fact and not some gut reaction based on propaganda. It will be an interesting afternoon.

Tree Vandalism- The Outcome

So the outcome was to be expected really with four Councillors supporting the motion and nine against. The debate as reported on radio was mostly mature and not the usual ridicule and lambasting that occurs in the chamber- maybe because it had been a somber evening of unusual outcomes - maybe because there was genuine interest in debating the issue.

Some of the debate went like this.

Clr Proudfoot: Thought that the very thought of putting up screens was extreme and obscene when it was the trees themselves that were the problem and needed to be cut down.

Clr Brumerskji showed his mocking immaturity when he described the screens as bunches of sheets between poles that would make the city look bad.

Clr Guile- wondered how it would look to visitors when we are perceived as being a pristine and sometimes iconic location ( i.e. Jervis Bay)

Clr Ward, pointed out that there were considerable penalties for anyone who was caught tampering with vegetation and that ought to be enough.

what did emerge just after the debate was that one of the most hotly contested areas of Jervis Bay- Collingwood beach, was one of the original Soil Conservation success stories of the late 70's early 80's. After severe storming and beach erosion events in 1974, the beach side residents were so concerned about the safety of their homes that they worked with government departments to return vegetation to the totally naked front dune- the homes along 1500m of beach were severely exposed, sand was drifting across roads and blocking up infrastructure such as storm water outlets and generally being a nuisance. The active management of the dunes and the reestablishment of vegetation was heralded as a great success.

Another point of view that I hadn't considered was how beach front property owners felt who lived with tree vegetation vandalism in front of them which they hadn't caused and how they felt guilty just by association and how uncomfortable it was to have people walk past and point at their homes in an accusatory manner.

What I had to reiterate throughout last nights debate is that using screens isn't the answer in every instance only where education and management had failed to deliver results and there was continuous vandalism from known parties who rangers couldn't catch.

I don't want to walk our beaches and look at screens, I want to admire a lovely landscape, enjoy glimpses of wildlife, sit in the shade of a tree to escape the heat of the day, swim in crystal waters and not have to look at eroded dunes with houses perched precariously a la Belongil beach style.

Tree Vandalism and Blocking the Illegal Views

Tuesday's (21 Sept 2010) meeting sees a notice of motion go before Council that attempts to put screening in where tree vandalism takes place. This motion is mostly targeted at the foreshore areas that cop a hiding from view seekers, who are almost impossible to catch red handed- which is what needs to happen if they are to be fined. These illegal view choppers get the so called bonus of improved views without ever having to pay the price.

Places like Byron Bay have been using screens to firstly impede the view and then to provide some sort of shelter for regrowing native vegetation.

On many of the Shoalhaven foreshore's there has been volunteer restoration activity to make sure that unsightly weeds don't take over where native vegetation should be. The native vegetation does a number of services in return. It helps to stabilise the dune and in storm situations acts as a barrier by slowing down sea surges. The NSW coastal management manual  lists vegetation as one of the tools to help reduce the loss of sand from dunes, it also list vegetation as the first line of defence when it comes to sea level rise.
The coastal vegetation also provides a lovely natural ambiance to the beach where beach goers aren't subjected to looking at coastal development. And of course the vegetation provides habitat for many living creatures and the contribution they make to life's great web.

I expect that the Council wont have the courage to support the motion, as the recent push has been to remove so called 'inappropriate' plantings from the foreshore that block views.

What some councillors don't seem to get is the fact that you can not buy a view and that the reserves are the commons of the people and not all people want to have to look at housing on the beach front-in fact that is why so many holiday makers make the journey to places like Jervis Bay and Narrawallee so that they can enjoy feeling like they are in a natural environment.

One cheeky journalist dared to suggest that a holiday maker would feel ripped off if they came down and rode on a beach side cycle way and couldn't see the sea- I don't think so- first of all they would be so happy to be out of the city that they would feel exhilarated just being able to ride and then might stay another day just to walk on some of the magnificent beaches the region has to offer.

Anyway back to tree vandals for views-to date the message has not been clear or strong enough- Don't Vandalise the very things that are helping to protect your property- and if we cant catch you we will inconvenience you. Regrettably some innocent neighbours will be caught up in the shadow of a sign but they can pressure the wrong doers into leaving the bush alone to do its thing- maybe even mature and provide a lasting and beautiful frame to a more tantalising view.

Image Courtesy of the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner

Sample letter to Stop woodchipping

here is a sample letter to the government regarding stopping wood chipping, letters don't have to be complex or long but it is better that they are sent snail mail (in my opinion). If you include a CC to all house members and federal senate then all should get a copy- or you may just want to target a few individuals. This is the link to the feds web page for contact details.


http://australia.gov.au/directories/parliament-of-australia-contacts#localmember

its not about a technically correct letter, but getting something in front of the noses of those who make decisions- some of them I'm sure would be oblivious to the wood chipping issue


The Hon Julia Gillard MP


Prime Minister

Parliament House

CANBERRA ACT 2600
 
CC All members House of Representatives and the federal Senate
 
I call on the Federal Government of Australia to intervene and cease Native forest wood chipping for export immediately.


In NSW the industry is recording losses up to $14 million and yet as a country we continue to provide subsides directly and indirectly to an industry that has obviously failed. These figures appear to have been hidden and absorbed by the plantation industry in the same state under Forests NSW stewardship..

While we continue to subsidise a failed industry we are missing out on redirecting these valued funds into research and development opportunities for replacement fibre for paper and cardboard production and the extension of the plantation timber resource.

More critically though we are missing out on opportunity’s to mitigate our intense carbon use and tackle the issue of climate change.

There is much talk about reinvigorating regional Australia and intensifying population in different areas. Without a clean, green workforce for people to participate in a migration back to the job centres will occur. Instead of small aging forestry workforces there are many opportunities to provide good forest stewardship jobs to young people and help ease the outward flow of young people from regional areas.

There are many environmental benefits for ceasing native forest logging operations for woodchip, yet the environmental argument has been eclipsed by economic interests-the time has come to recognise that the current economic arguments are fallacies and fantasies.

I challenge you to uncover the economic truth that is a failed native forests woodchip industry and think laterally about the possibilities’ that are currently passing us by.

I look forward to the end of native forest ‘mining’ and hope that you can make this issue a priority for this government early in its parliamentary life.

Shoalhaven Business Chamber planning for the future

Have been running from one thing to the next so no letter yet as a sample on the wood chipping industry.

Spent the evening at the Institute of Design Ulladulla- meeting with the business chamber who are looking at setting themselves a strategic direction with some sub groups to work on issues that people are passionate about rather than leave everything to a time poor executive. Still in the modern day it works- a lot of people contributing their piece to a larger outcome.

The chamber identified quite a few issues that they could see would help to improve the town and hopefully business. From the simple issue of customer service and trading hours to the long term issue of parking and what we might expect in the future. The frustration for some was that things seem to take such a long time - but I really think that the town has changed quite a lot in recent years- maybe not in outward appearance but in attitude and growth wise.

My contribution was to tell the facts on Councils budget and not to make false promises for this does no one any good, and for things to really progress we need people power not to wait for government to take our good ideas and sit on them. Our community like many has the capacity to take responsibility for its own destiny and work with our best asset- people- to get results.

Interesting times just keep on getting more interesting.

Putting the carbon back in Native Forests.

Ok- So here is the promised policy review that I put together- it is a little wordy but hopefully captures for you the situation as it currently stands and where we need to go. I havent modified it for the blog.

The reference list is at the end if you need further reading and I hope the format is a little intact if you need to copy and paste for use offline.

Aiming to have a draft letter up tomorrow and some contact details.


Putting the Carbon back in State Forests: A Review of Regional Forestry Agreements in a Carbon Constrained Policy Framework aiming for Zero emissions by 2020

ISSUE.


This review will look particularly at the NSW Forests Act 1916 and how the prescribed management practice extolled can help NSW achieve a zero Greenhouse Gas Emission target by 2020. The Forests Act 1916 underpins the management of Australian forests in four States, which has been regulated by Regional Forestry Agreements since 1997. The Regional Forestry Agreements were founded on a basis of settling conflicting views on forest management practice.

BACKGROUND

Deforestation has a significant impact on Australia's Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) with an estimated 77000 Gg tons of Carbon Dioxide equivalent emissions . A proportion of this impact is mitigated by reforestation projects delivering a net amount of Co2 equivalent at 56000 Gg tons . Forested land is held in multiple ownership including, private land holdings, National Parks and State Forests. Government must take a leadership role in mitigating GHG Emissions and make changes to its own portfolio while commencing on a parallel process with private land-holders.

NSW Forests are a highly contested area of natural 'mining ' and have been subject to many conflicts especially with conservationist in regards to the management of the forest estate. The argument that forests are excellent natural carbon sinks and should be valued more in this context is juxtaposed against the reality of a 6000 kiloton per annum export wood chip industry and logs for a local timber industry .

Growing trees and retaining forested land is acknowledged as a one of the many actions required to reduce GHG. It is a low technological area that can provide employment across a mixed age workforce, backed by sound research and development into the attributes and quality of planted forest estates. The current workforce for timber harvesting and mill workers is faced with an aging workforce crisis and is finding it difficult to find and retain younger workers in a physically demanding and often dangerous occupation.

Regional Forest Agreement have been adapted to provide security for the saw mill and woodchip industry by forecasting the volume of logs available from numbered forestry compartments over a twenty year period. Anecdotal evidence suggests that high quality saw logs are still in demand and are more difficult to come by .


The use of Forest logs for high-end aesthetic product is acknowledged as a unique and valued added product. However, exporting of native forest wood chips to other countries at highly subsidized rates has been the practice most questioned by the conservation movement. Wood chip exports are reported as using up to 80%of the native forest resource . Wood chip exportation is a carbon intense process that takes raw product (wood chip) and ships it long distances for processing and then returned as a value added product to Australia and elsewhere. Wood chip export industry has a negative public image and draws criticism from a wide range of people who are disappointed with the lack of transparency and ability to have information released via Freedom of Information to make sound analysis of the industry value.

It is within the context of carbon constraint, conflict, ability to supply and value of the industry that this review takes place.

ANALYSIS

The NSW Forestry Act 1916 (the Act) is a policy with a primary function to support the use of native forests for timber harvest. Section 11 of the Act,' Powers and duties of the commission' clearly outlines the taking of timber powers that are conferred to Forests NSW as the principle authority to carry out and enforce the regulations under the Act and ancillary agreements such as the Regional Forest Agreements. Other features of Section 11 include the ability for Forests NSW to supply timber, seedlings, procure land and manage the forest estate. Forests NSW are to pay any dividend from a net surplus to the States Consolidated Fund at the end of the financial year.

Forests NSW under the act are also to ensure that a minimum area of no less than 3 250 000 hectares of land remain dedicated as forest and 600000 hectares is kept for the purpose of pine plantation . The dedication of these lands is to happen with consideration for public interest. Section 17.3a binds Forests NSW to providing economic and effective control over timber and other forest products. Land can also be managed that has special conservation values under section 21 A of the Act. Land that is under reserve cannot have timber operations commence without the consent of the relevant Minister . Royalty payments for removal of timber are expected and are set by Forests NSW . Forests NSW native forest operations ran at a loss in excess of $14 million and had to rely on the productivity of plantation operations to balance its trading sheet and create profit. The loss of $14 million that was absorbed by the plantation operations of NSW begs the question as to why the native forest estate continues to be included in forestry operations.

The Act under Part 4a- Carbon Sequestration rights gives Forests NSW the right to develop a carbon market and provide services in respect to qualifying carbon sequestration . The Act does not provide a directive in regards to Carbon sequestration but leaves it optional. Regulations that are prescribed further within the Act relate to retaining the quality of the timber products through land management practices such as weed exclusion.

The Forestry Act of NSW (1916) along with Regional Forestry Agreements (NSW 1997) take a 'sustainable management' approach that allows for the removal of trees for multiple purposes but mainly wood chip and saw logs. Forestry NSW is supposed to apply principles of Environmental Management Systems to the forest reserve to ensure that a comprehensive assessment is made of the reserve before commencement of an extraction operation. However, the value of the forest reserve as a carbon sink has not been considered as an economic instrument.

Recent Australian position papers on policy have begun to recognise the contribution to Carbon Pollution levels by deforestation. The recent NSW Greenhouse Plan identifies Forestry as a medium priority in dealing with the emissions from the sector . However the Australian Governments Green Paper on Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme deliberately leaves out deforestation. The reasons sited for this are that Australia has significantly improved land protection and that a move to include deforestation is difficult due to the active forest industry .

Deforestation is recognised by Governments internationally as a contributing factor to Climate Change. The United Nations have made many recommendations in regards to this issue including the landmark Agenda 21 adopted in 1992 which adopts a preservation and enhancement approach to biologically diverse areas . A preservation and enhancement approach to forest assets would ultimately produce a forest reserve that is growing in size and in quality.

A brief analysis of the quantity of logs harvested Australia wide across both hardwood and plantation softwood sends 60% of its volume to export wood chip. The export wood chip market is valued in the same report at $344 million. This compares to the much lesser volume but higher valued saw log market, which contributes $788 million to the industry from the remaining 40% . These figures are presented in a manner, which makes it difficult to scrutinise deeply the proportion of volume to income coming from NSW native forests.

Australian data sources for calculating the amount of emissions generated by the forest industry and the amount of carbon sequestered in the forest estate seem to frustrate those interested in pursuing a policy position according to Dr J Ajani . The current policy position would see the forest industry continue to extract high value carbon store logs from the forest estate and contribute to the overall increase of Australian and Global harmful Green House Gas inputs. Opportunities exist to replace forest industry jobs with data collection and forest management careers that are far less harmful to the environment. There is also a strong argument to cease native forest operation and to leave the estate intact for carbon storage purposes.

COMMENT
Forests NSW are facing many challenges in the coming years including an aging workforce and the costs of haulage of logs from the forest estate. Forest compartments for logging are further away from the infrastructure needed to process them into consumables. Add to these emerging issues the significance of Climate Change and the challenges presented by rising fuel costs a compelling case is arising for a significant change in industry direction.

With the aim to reduce NSW to a zero emissions target by 2020 the forestry industry will have to make significant changes through a major policy review that reflects a carbon constrained economy. Forests NSW are well positioned to make a valuable contribution to easing the carbon burden of the state. The current Forestry Act needs to aggressively pursue carbon storage as a major part of the forestry portfolio particularly in native forest operations. Forest accounting needs to accurately reflect the carbon value of the standing forest, with an afforestation program that creates positive growth in the amounts of carbon captured and not a decline. The focus must be on the amount of carbon held in the estate, which will have a monetary value, if the asset was available for sale in the marketplace. The carbon that is sequestered in forests must be for the benefit of the public good and only be applied to the balance of the NSW carbon account and not applied as an offset to particular projects or sold to outside agents.

Closing down of the native forest operations in NSW will have an impact on the availability of wood chip for export and high quality saw logs for aesthetic timber product purposes. With less wood chip available pricing for remaining stock will be forced upwards and result in an industry review in regards to viability which will include the carbon costs of shipping. Up ward pressure on hardwood building materials would result in a greater timber take from private landholdings, which will require continued monitoring and provide income for landholders. Landholders need a compensatory rating system that allows them to put land in reserve for forest income. A result of this upward pressure on viability will have a positive result on the recycling industry and could lead to a revival in onshore processing. Plantation timber products will remain firmly placed as a leading building material. Australia currently runs a trade deficit on forest exports to imports of $2.1 million .

Ceasing operations in native forest will have a positive social benefit and remove the stigma from forestry operations. With a newly positioned forestry industry that focuses on being part of the carbon pollution solution and the cessation of native forest operations, the industry will become a more attractive career option. This in turn could assist in solving the aging workforce by attracting younger persons who wish to be part of a solution for climate change. Taking steps to reduce emissions to zero by 2020 without impacting on jobs will be motivational for other states to follow suit and build key industry knowledge that can be exported from NSW.

Increasing the amount of plantation timber in NSW must not be at the expense of native forests or first class agricultural lands but seek out crown land holdings, and private landholdings to enter into partnership with. Private land holding partnership should be targeted at agricultural sectors, which are also high emitters of Green House Gas as this mix of farming i.e. cattle and timber could become mutually beneficial. Planted forests must include a mix of species to assist in building environmental resilience in the face of climate change, which is in line with the objectives of the United Nations Agenda 21.

NSW creates 34% of the nations carbon emissions and has a key role to play in influencing the Federal Government . The NSW Greenhouse Plan notes that land clearing represents only .75% of the emission from Agriculture, forestry and fishing but it also acknowledges the role that forests play in carbon sequestration . There are no explanation notes with the figures that consider wood chipping export, timber processing and manufacturing. This omission could be because of the difficulty and different accounting standards that are applied in regards to emissions.

The Federal Government's Green Paper failed to include native forests. Dr Judith Ajani recommends that this position should be revised due to the value of carbon stored in native forests and the cost of exclusion on other Australian business' trying to meet a carbon reduction target

RECOMMENDATIONS

The following recommendations are made to advance the forest industry in NSW to a Zero emissions target by 2020. When implemented a review period should be put in place to ensure that targets are being met.

Recommendation 1:
Amend the Forestry Act 1916 and replace this with a policy that focus' on carbon storage and plantation timber.

Recommendation 2:
Immediately cease native forest operations that supply wood chip for export.

Recommendation 3:
Develop a Carbon Accounting system for standing forests that is accurate and can be used around Australia.

Recommendation 4:
Commit funding for research and development into an onshore paper recycling industry to supply the paper and packaging industry of Australia including the use of non-wood fibers.

Recommendation 5:
Phase out Federal and State subsidies that support traditional logging industry and redirect to the establishment of a fiber industry.

Recommendation 6:
Remove Rural Land Protection Board land rates that tax native ecosystems that are not in use for farm production.

Recommendation 7:
Target marginal farmland for multipurpose fiber production and timber plantation.

References
Ajani J. (2008) 'Australia's transition from native forests to plantations: the implications for woodchips, pulpmills, tax breaks and climate change', Agenda: A Journal of Policy Analysis and Reform, 15(3), 2008.

Australian Forest and Wood Products Statistics-September December quarters 2008 http://www.abare.gov.au/publications_html/forestry/forestry_09/forestry_09.html accessed online April 2010.
Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, National Greenhouse Gas Inventory,

http://ageis.climatechange.gov.au/# accessed online April 2010.

Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Green paper CPRS

http://climatechange.gov.au/publications/cprs/green-paper/cprs-greenpaper.aspx

accessed online April 2010.

Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/climatechange/greenhouseplan.htm accessed online March 2010.

Findley A. Interview conducted with Davis and Herbert Mill manager March 2010.

Forestry Act 1916, accessed online via

http://www.austlii.edu.au/ March 2010.

United Nations Division for Sustainable Development

http://www.un.org/esa/dsd/agenda21/res_agenda21_00.shtml accessed online March 2010

Batemans Bay Forest Forum

Saturday was a busy and exciting day for lots of reasons. Forest Forum, Dunn and Lewis opening and of course On Stage 2010.


The Forest Forum in Batemans Bay that I attended for the morning was an inspiration to start writing letters to the new government to try and force action on the issue of native forest logging, which is still happening here in the beautiful Shoalhaven. So many reasons why logging for woodchip is wrong wrong wrong.

I was inspired by the fact that the Greens are in a strong position in both houses of government federally and I believe that if the independents can see a convincing argument that has good outcomes for regional/rural Australia they may be supportive.

The other piece of news that I unaware of was the statement from Gunns Pty Ltd believe that they have lost the battle with environmentalist for native forests and will move to plantation based business.
It is a significant statement on many fronts but means that more pressure has to come on government to make sure that we do not loose native forest cover to be replaced by plantation- we would end up with a disaster similar to the palm oil story in neighbouring countries.

I have written a short paper on the native forest woodchip industry and will post it tomorrow as background material for anyone who wants to write to government and put some pressure on. Its amazing how pester power works - I have seen first hand how council has made decisions based almost solely on pester power..
will also aim to put up a sample letter and some contacts for you all to use.

Ulladulla High Schools Exams due to start in a construction zone.

Last week I was contacted by a distraught parent who thought her child would have to sit the HSC in Ulladulla High Schools hall which is a construction zone at the moment.

I got in touch with the P and C president and we talked over the needs of the young people and using Ulladulla Civic Centre  which Shoalahven City Council usually charge for, that night I went straight to the general manager seeking a waiver of the fees and he agreed straight away.

The distraught parent had also been in touch with Clr Bob Proudfoot who is also a teacher so I filled him in on what the general manager had agreed to Bob said (tongue in cheek) arent you going to put up a notice of motion to get some votes. I replied no- there was no need as the objective had been acheived.

lo and behold I open up my business paper tonight and there is a notice of motion to waiver the fees signed by the vote seeking Clrs Ward and Bennett, who will want to put on a floor show at the meeting , which just happens to be held in Ulladulla that night.

Its hard to not be cynical in this position, actions like this just make the cynicism more rusted on,but it certainly wont stop me from acting in the best interests of my community without having to draw attention to every little deed!

The Future is in Our Hands- An alternative Vision

Milton Meadows- A Hollow Victory- Land Zoned for Aged Care

At long last the saga of  Milton Meadows @ Milton ( farm land just North of the caravan park) has been resolved.
The community fought long and hard to have the land retained in the scenic zone that helps protect the village identity of Milton and stop sprawl from connecting Milton to Ulladulla.
Last year a move from some Councillors would have meant that the land could be used as a rural subdivision and carved in 2000m2 blocks.
This was against the position that after much debate the community had arrived at- that if the land was to be built upon that it had to be for the greatest good-a retirement complex that included a high care facility.
The community came out in force and with much pressure got Clrs Ward and Guile to reverse their position and support the community.
Council then advised the Department of Planning that it did not support a change of zoning that allowed rural residential but requested the Department place an allowance clause that supported an aged care facility.
This week the Dept released a memo that supported the recommendation that ultimately came from the community- no development other than aged care.
It feels like a hollow victory - the land will ultimately be developed in an aged care fashion but must have the support of the Roads and Traffic Authority. A small amount of remnant rain forest vegetation will be retained as a watercourse buffer- but the all important ridge line will be lost as an undeveloped part of Milton's rural setting.

So now we wait and hope that an architect sympathetic to sustainable living and the rural landscape is engaged to produce a plan that creates a place for the aged that we can all be proud off and feel that it was worth compromising for.

Green and Golden Bell Frogs- population boost

Shoalhaven city is witnessing a once in a generation happening – the incredible breeding event of the threatened Green and Golden Bell Frog.


These endangered frogs are loving the timing of Xmas and Easter rains which has resulted in perfect breeding conditions.
The tadpoles have now grown to froglets and  have dispersed in large numbers around the edges of the Shoalhaven floodplain looking for food and habitat.

The Green and Golden Bell frogs are now looking for a cosy spot to spend the winter hibernateing.

This mass breeding event suggests that water quality is good and there is suitable habitat for the species to breed, feed and move to areas that havent before supported a population- a good news story for East Nowra.

Green and Golden Bell Frogs may grow to 10 centimetres, but most of the frogs around at the moment are first year juveniles about 2cm long. Individual frogs vary in colour from bright green to patchy golden/green to almost dark brown. A creamish white stripe extends from behind the eye almost to the groin.

Green and Golden Bell Frog are listed in NSW and nationally as a threatened species and protected by Federal legislation. There is concern about their future because overall numbers are continuing to decline, mostly due to:

• a debilitating fungus that attacks the frog’s skin and is transmitted by human touch

• the destruction and drainage of wetlands

• predation by the introduced mosquito fish

• inappropriate pesticide application

• and feral animals.

The Bell frog is an unusual frog in that it is active during the day.

Fines for harming a threatened species are severe. If a person is convicted of a threatened species offence they face criminal penalties of up to $220,000 and / or two years in prison under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. If the case involves harming or picking threatened species, endangered populations or endangered ecological communities additional penalties of up to $11,000 apply to each species that was harmed.

On-the-spot penalty notice fines can be issued for harming or killing a threatened species. These are generally used as a way to penalise breaches which are not serious enough to warrant prosecution in court. The penalty notice fine amounts are $1500 for an individual, $3000 for a corporation who cause harm to an endangered species such as this frog.

What can you do to help the Green and Golden Bell Frogs?

• Enjoy the frogs around your home and be aware of their presence so you do not accidentally harm them. They will not harm you.

• Do not handle the frogs unless absolutely necessary and if so handle gently. If you need to move a frog, wear disposable gloves

• Avoid mowing on wetter days or times when frogs are moving over grass; and


• Encourage your children to observe and appreciate wildlife.

Visit the internet site http://threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/index.aspx for further information about Green and Golden Bell Frogs.

Picture from the animal pictures archive available at www.animalpicturesarchive.com/

Greens MLC Sylvia Hale Raises Tomerong Tip Questions in Parliament

Following is a press release from Sylvia Hales office in regards to the Tomerong Tip proposal.
I have also included the question MLC Hale will put to the minister on behalf of the community.

The parliamentry support on this issue is no doubt appreciated by the community

Media Release




From Sylvia Hale MP, Greens spokesperson for Planning

23 April 2010   - For immediate use      
           
Greens say tip at Tomerong too dangerous to tolerate

The Greens have added their voice to concerns about a proposed major
new tip at Tomerong. Sylvia Hale, Greens MP and spokesperson for
Planning, has put questions about the tip to the Ministers for Planning
and the Environment.

“Locating an enormous tip in the Shoalhaven area at Tomerong simply
doesn’t make sense,” said Ms Hale.

“Using an old quarry site that has been the subject of blasting, and
fracturing of the rocks over many years must surely call into question
whether a proposed dam to control leachate could operate safely.

“Added to that, there are concerns about the effect of a tip on local
bushland and fauna and the impact of a massive increase in heavy truck
movements along the Princes Highway.

"The development of a major tip in the catchment of Jervis Bay is
hardly likely to improve the image of the South Coast.

“One of the region's greatest attractions is its clean, green image,
its temperate rainforests, tall trees, clean rivers and streams, and
pristine white sandy beaches. That asset must be protected both for its
own natural values and for the economic benefit and quality of life it
brings to residents of the Shoalhaven.

“Everyone should be disturbed that the Minister for Planning has
taken the decision on this major proposal out of the hands of the local
council and given to a Joint Regional Planning Panel. The majority of
the Panel's members, including chair Pam Allen, a former Labor
Government Minister, are the Minister for Planning's appointees.

“Elected local councillors, who are answerable to their community,
should make decisions that will impact on the local community. Those
decisions should be governed by strong planning laws that protect the
local environment and ensure that any development actually improves the
quality of life for the community into the future.

"Unfortunately, current planning laws and decision-making processes
simply give open slather to developers.

“While there is always a need to generate employment in the area,
this proposal may have the opposite effect with job losses due to
concerns about the leaching of toxic substances into creeks running into
Jervis Bay," said Ms Hale.



Questions on notice

 Ms Hale to the Minister for Planning, Minister for Infrastructure,
Minister for Lands—


1.      Is the Minister aware of an application for a Non- Putrescible
Waste Facility lodged with Shoalhaven City Council, which is to be
determined by Southern Region Joint Planning Panel chaired by Ms Pam
Allen, former State Minister for the Environment?
2.       
a.       Has there been a full environmental assessment of the area
prepared that examines the impact of the proposed development on local
flora and fauna, including the powerful owl?
b.      If so, what does that assessment suggest?
c.       If no report has been prepared, why not?
3.      The proposal suggests that a sediment dam on Duck Creek, 150
metres from Tomerong Creek, which feeds into Jervis Bay, will be built
to protect the waterways from leachate from the waste facility.
a.       What reports have been prepared that examine the potential for
a breach of the dam wall in extreme weather events?
b.      If so, what are the findings of those reports?
c.       If no reports have been prepared, why not?
4.      Has any report been prepared that examines the effect of
blasting on the site over the last 35 years, and whether or not blasting
on the old quarry site has fragmented the ground to the extent that it
may not be able to prevent material leaching from the proposed facility?

a.       If so, what are the findings of the report?
b.      If no report has been prepared, why not?
5.       
a.       Has an a
ssessment been made of the impact of a breach of the
proposed leachate dam on the catchment of the Jervis Bay Marine Park and
on the catchment of the environmentally sensitive weed beds and fish
breeding grounds of St George's Basin?
b.      What plans have been made to contain toxic leachate in the
event of the failure of the proposed dam?
c.       What action has been proposed to ensure that there will be no
pollution incidents during the construction, operation or during the
long-term life of this facility?
6.       
a.       What is the current amount of non-putrescible waste in
percentage terms generated by the Shoalhaven local government area in
relation to the production of non-putrescible waste across New South
Wales?
b.      Would this facility take non- putrescible waste from outside
the Shoalhaven local Government area?
7.      The EIS indicates that road haulage to the proposed waste site
will generate a very heavy ` truck movement every 4 minutes.
a.       What measures are proposed to ameliorate the additional burden
of heavy traffic on the South Coast arterial road system?
b.      When compared to transporting waste to existing waste
facilities, what are the likely additional CO2 emissions created by
transporting waste from metropolitan areas to this location by road
given there is no rail access ?
8.      Has there been any modelling carried out on the impact this
type of facility will have on the tourist industry of the Shoalhaven
region, an industry that generates $640 million per annum for the local
area, is a key employer, and is the number one tourist destination in
NSW?
a.       If so, what is that impact?
b.      If no research has been carried out, why not? Which areas of
New South Wales have been identified as requiring a large
non-putrescible tip in the medium to long term?

Big Tax this; Big Tax that : The Rhetoric is Boring

I am sick of hearing Labour and Liberal hammering each other with their childish slogans on BIG NEW TAX'S and hoping that we are all taking enough notice to not vote for new tax in the upcoming federal election.

Guess what....... I LIKE TAX.......In fact I delviered my annual tax papers to the accountant and told her that I wanted to pay my fair share and not to go looking for any deductions that were a little bit marginal.

I like tax as it delivers to us, free hospital services, free schooling, income support, heavily subsidised public transport, a reasonable road network, foreign aid helping those in need, of course this list could go on and on. In short tax pays for things we need, use or want on a daily basis, without us all paying our share things would certainly be more grim.

Somehow I still manage to be on the sitting state Liberal members mailing list, who today invited me to sign a petition calling on the NSW State government to NOT put up car registration as it would deliver more public transport services to the city. Even though I am a country dwelling girl, I dont have a problem with improving City transport- the city must have more capacity to get people off the roads and less dependent on fossil fuel.

I wont be signing the petition.....maybe I should send her a letter instead.........

Leo Drive Losses Wildlife

The Leo Drive subdivision has commenced with clearing of the site well under way.   'The Greens' Clr Amanda Findley believes that this action should be a catalyst to spark community discussion on how we the community view growth for the area.

" Focusing on Ulladulla through the development control plan review is great but we also need to look at the bigger picture for our area."

'The Federal government is insisting on 1.3% annual growth, giving us the much talked about 36 million people. The knock on effect of that is Councils are left with planning for growth. Or as it is NSW having the will of the State Government put upon us." Amanda said

There is much to talk about locally.
Do we want to see valuable farmland lost to housing.
Is urban sprawl acceptable.
Can we retain character and have medium density housing.

Clr Findley wants the community to have a conversation about how we see ourselves in the future and is calling for all interested residents to meet in Narrawallee this Thursday at 10am at the unnamed street half way along Leo Drive on the western side.

"I think it will be constructive for people to witness first hand what is happening on site and then have a discussion about the future and how we can plan for sustainable growth and think about housing expectations." A report on these discussion will be forwarded to the Times for further comment.

ACTION: 10am Meeting Thursday 18 March 2010
halfway along Leo Drive, unnamed no through road on the west side.

Photo taken on site.

SAY NO to BRITISH Beef

Thank goodness common sense ruled the day and not the pressing desire for so called "free trade". The following press release from Senator Christine Milne is cause for celebration.

Senator Christine Milne

Wednesday 10 March 2010

Milne congratulates Minister Burke for reversal of mad
cow beef import decision

Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine
Milne, has congratulated Agriculture
Minister, Tony Burke, for  listening to the concerns of
the community, the Greens  and Opposition parties by reversing his
decision to lift the ban on importing beef from countries
affected by mad cow disease, or BSE.

Senator Milne had referred the issue to a Senate inquiry
last October, immediately after
learning that the ban would be lifted. The scrutiny of
the decision from the Senate Inquiry has
now led to a moratorium on lifting the ban pending a two
year import risk analysis.

"Public health and food security are vital and must be
protected at all costs. It was disgraceful that the community had been
kept in the dark about the fact that they could be eating beef from a
country affected by mad cow disease.   "

"Consumers have the right to know if meat on supermarket
shelves comes from countries which have been affected by BSE.

"As someone who grew up on a dairy farm in North West
Tasmania, I am always vigilant about
standing up for a healthy environment and the excellent
reputation Australia's food has around the world for being clean and
uncontaminated.

"This reputation is critical for both consumers and
producers, and I am very pleased that the
Senate inquiry I established has helped deliver this
sensible decision.

"Minister Burke was clearly concerned there would be a
public outcry against this decision
when the beef industry was sworn to secrecy over the
decision to lift the ban. He wanted to push
a pure trade agenda based on pleasing overseas trading
partners like the USA and Canada before the livelihoods of Tasmanian
beef farmers and the health of Tasmanian families.

"Our local beef producers have the right to
reassurance, through a full and proper import
risk analysis, that their reputation for clean produce
will not be undermined.

"The next critical step is for Australia to move rapidly
to improve our food labelling laws to make
sure consumers know what is in the food they buy and how
it was produced."

Anarchy at Belongil Beach Byron Bay

These photos were taken on Belongil beach in Byron Bay and are an example of the community anarchy that has erupted from the coastline being washed away. Individual property owners have taken protetcion into their own hands and dumped large quantities of junk in an attempt to save their homes from the next big sea.The giant sandbags weigh about 200 kilos each and have been placed by council. The original vegetation was without doubt removed to allow 'views', one friend described one of the properties as lawn all the way to edge.As we move into uncertain times it is our natural instinct to want to find someone to blame for the problems that need to be overcome, yet we refuse to acknowledge that collectivly we have had high expectation that we can manipulate our environment to deliver our wants and needs.No one person or one government is responsible just years of compacting problems as humanities expectations are treated as a priority over environment.