I am not a Microwave-more a crock pot

Its Christmas Eve.....there is a lot of different meanings in those two words culturally and religiously.

Today my aim is to join the religious cult of restfulness.

A few loose ends to tidy up today, I will be the only one in town smiling not frowning as I refuse to be dragged into the tension of Xmas ( I hope there are a few more smiling).

Some tucker to pick up, gas bottle for the BBQ and some book keeping so that Glenn's BAS is done on time.

My brother turns up tonight, I'm looking forward to a cool ale on mum's veranda with him
-I haven't seen him in almost a year I think it was March when Tannar and I caught the train to Brisbane for cousin Jessica's wedding-but you know that could have been last year- time seems to not make sense sometimes, especially when I loose track of it!

Last night Glenn, the girls and I sat on the bench seat at the farm talking about the meaning we put into Xmas and how all year is like it. Special happenings, shopping for needed items, holidays, days when mum decides we should have a feast, when our lives are so spectacularly blessed all of the time you can see why the 'build up' for Xmas can be so intense. Buy Buy Buy catalogues, everyone talking about the shopping list, tension building, family strain, I'm really very glad that our little family has managed to keep that at bay and make our holidays about family and friends.

Last Xmas the girls taught me how to make friendship bracelet's and we sat around in hot moments with our heads down weaving colourful bands for friends, trying new designs and colour combos. I'm sure we will find something equally crafty to do this summer, for when our heads are down and we are hanging out together is when we have some fine conversation.Of course there will be lots of swimming, a bot of time spent on the tractor and lots of time spent with friends.

Oh and we have to work out our 7 minutes of heaven routine which takes around 40 Min's and is a family fitness routine we set ourselves so that we don't become to slovenly, its a bit of a laugh really and there is lots of noise and moans.

It will be so nice to give my head a rest. Its so very tiring behaving like a microwave...issues in..ping..a debate or ping...an opinion.

 I much prefer to be a crock pot- or slow cooker...issue in...mm...might add a pinch of something else......do I like that .....no it needs a little tweaking.......ahhh now that's a much more satisfactory position........time to think of the angles, reaction vs action, cause and effect, contemplation, call it what you will but often times there is little space for this.

So whatever the holiday season brings to you...may it be safe and may you join the cult of restfulness.

Planning Minister Throws Out Shoalhaven Spot Rezoning

I've got a lot more to say on this issue but here is a copy of the press release I put out today.
 

The Shoalhaven Green are delighted to see Planning Minister Brad Hazzard take steps to get the Draft Shoalhaven Local Environment Plan 2009 back on track and more reflective of community concerns.

‘The Minister has advised Council that many of the spot rezoning’s that were awarded during the Council’s consideration of the community submissions simply cannot be supported’ said Greens Councillor Amanda Findley.

‘I feel personally vindicated that the stance I took to not award the spot rezoning’s has been validated by the Minister’ said Clr Findley.

‘During the course of the many Council meetings to consider the submission, I was subjected to a continual stream of Green bashing, my stance on these matters was labelled anti-development and I was often negatively characterised by fellow Councillors, so for a Liberal Planning Minister to now seek Council’s cooperation in rolling back non-strategic rezoning’s is a great step forward for better planning in the Shoalhaven.’

“Along with then Clr John Fergusson we were the consistent voices for the Shoalhaven to follow strategic and state recognised plans such as the Nowra /Bomaderry structure plan, the South Coast Sensitive Urban Land Review and the South Coast strategy.’ said Clr Findley.

‘Im pleased also that Mayor Gash has given consideration to the Ministers comments and seems willing to roll back the inappropriate up-zonings’.

‘On an environmental level is great to see the Minister doesn’t support intensification of housing in flood prone lands, and that Minister Hazzard also supports the protection of environmentally sensitive lands’.

“The use of the Local Environment Planning template is not without its problems and there are still a number of issues that need further strengthening, but the Minister’s letter can give all Shoalhaven residents confidence that there is broad support for a more sustainable model for our area’.

 

Amanda Findley : Greens Councillor: Ward 3: Shoalhaven City Council: 0434 151 730 or 44543257

Gash-Doesn't want to hear the reality!!!

At a Councillors briefing yesterday (Monday 10 December 2012), Council staff were advising Councillors on the progress of the Shaolin Temple- Part 3A application for Comberton Grange.

The Shaolin Temple project has been around for about 6 years and has been subject to community scepticism and questions about the Comberton Grange Land sale.

Council staff advised Councillors that the environmental assessments that were part of the application were lacking as were the traffic reports.

Of course Councillor Watson butted in with his sentiments- 'If you make them do any more studies we will loose the project'. 'They have already spent a $1mill and should not have to spend any more'. and 'If Council wants to kill the temple then this is the way to go about it'.

My response to this was that the community expected Council to act on its behalf and to be thorough in its representations to the State government.

About 15 minutes into the briefing Mayor Gash exploded, her face as red as beet- pushing her chair back as though to leave she said raged 'I don't want to hear this, its ridiculous, I want to hear how we can help, this presentation is so negative'.

I couldn't let this intimidation and bullying go through to the keeper and raged back 'Did Madame Mayor only want the staff to present 'happy' reports instead of offering up frank and fearless reports about Councils responsability'. It was a very subdued 'no' in response as Clr Gash has already demanded that staff make their reports shorter so that it doesn't take so long to get through reading the paper!

I hope that the community campaigners, especially on the environmental side of things are prepared with their submission for there certainly is no appetite from Council to make further representation on environmental issues. The Councillors are of the belief that Environmentalists will make enough noise that Council wont need to.

Seems that Shaolin have overwhelming support from Gash, Watson, Wells and Kitchener has now weighed in with his support-saying its an excellent project.

If the project is so good and will generate the so called big bucks for tourism-then why should it not be compliant in all forms of legislation including environmental legislation, heritage and culture.

Nowra CBD Action-The Tail that wags the dog?

Junction Court- Photo by Graham French from the Power Fm website

As you know I am participate in many of Councils committees - one that I have a current interest in is the Nowra CBD Action group. I'm interested as I want to see how my suggestion for Street Art for Nowra progress'.

At the CBD Action meeting - the property owners wanted Council to suspend its current planned capital works - like the upgrade of the Nowra Pool, Basketball stadium and the Ulladulla Civic Centre and to re prioritise the projects important to the CBD group.

The Action group also inferred that it was Councils responsibility to implement the graffiti program although I did submit to them a paper giving suggestions for a way forward. Seems that perhaps the CBD ratepayers are not willing to help themselves-I hope not as it was positive to hear that some private sites had been identified for murals. Council has a role to play and perhaps submitting a funding submission to the Attorney Generals anti graffiti program is part of that commitment.

Thankfully Clr Gemma Tribe was able to guide this bunch to a much more palatable motion than the original version that was offered up- moved by Paul Dean and seconded by Lance Sewell.

What I find most irritating about these types of meetings is the following.

This small minority of ratepayers are considered by the neo-liberals to be of far greater importance than the majority of ratepayers in the Shoalhaven. They seem completely oblivious to the fact that council should be working for the 'greatest good' and that if Council does so that the flow on will benefit their own long term viability. The sycophantic approach to this group of rate payers by some is galling to watch as they completely ignore broad ranging community consultation on the other hand.

The most recent meeting was help Monday 3 December- Clr John Wells was appointed chair and Councillors Gash, Tribe, Wells, Findley and Guile attended.

Community members of CBD Action are mostly from the Nowra CBD ratepayers group and in attendance were Stephen Nall, Paul Dean, David Goodman, Peter Price, Lee Carmichael, Lance Sewell, Scott Baxter and Mark Crowther- there are a few other members who were unable to attend.

The CBD ratepayers have a few major issues which they seem to think rank far higher than the issues of the rest of the city. They are concerned that there rates are too high, they want increased all day parking by way of a multi million multi storey car park. The want additional services to the CBD including cleaning and refreshed street scaping and of course the never ending need for all to remove graffiti.

Prior to the election the CBD ratepayers invited mayoral candidates to give their position on the above items and because I had the hide to disagree with their position they booed and laughed at me, but that didn't stop me from telling them what they didn't want to hear.

Council is doing its bit and keeping its properties graffiti free - but it has trouble compelling private property holders to do the same.

I don't believe that the CBD ratepayers should be getting a rate cut that will eventually affect the residential ratepayers of the city. The increased rates that they pay goes mostly towards advertising the business that occupy the CBD properties, campaigns to increase tourist visitation and increased services in the CBD-that includes frequent cleaning of toilets and high quality finishes to the main street footpaths and projects like junction court. All of these additional services make the CBD a more desirable place to rent at high end cost.

Novembers Notices of Motion

Novembers notices of motion

Conjola Boardwalk 
That the boardwalk project at Lake Conjola be replaced on a like for like basis I.e. it be replaced with an elevated accessible boardwalk that protects vegetation and provides easy access to the beach.
Background

The Lake Conjola beach boardwalk is falling apart and needs replacement. There has been a suggestion that this be done 'at grade' the community are outraged at this prospect and request that it be replaced like for like. The community needs to be consulted on any changes and appropriate funding should be sought from current budgets and infrastructure grants.

Signed

Clr Findley

Supported by all Councillors after a minor amendment from Clr White.


61. Skateboard Facility – Yulunga Reserve, Manyana File 2069E

 A report be brought to Council addressing the development of a small skateboard facility at Yulunga Reserve Manyana.
Background

Manyana, Bendalong, Cunjarong Point are a cluster of small villages that are quite a distance from any of Councils skateboarding facilities. The Yulunga reserve is a focal point for the community with the community centre, playground, tennis court and sport field and the addition of a small skate facility would be a great addition for the young permanent population. This motion seeks a report on the feasibility of such a facility and the costs associated.

Signed

Clr Findley
Supported by all Councillors


62. Future Park / Aquaculture Recreational Research Centre Ulladulla File


Council convene a briefing on the Future Park / Aquaculture Recreational Research Centre Ulladulla with the various stakeholders i.e. The local committee, economic development officer, Shoal Water, Councils development staff, Fisheries NSW and Regional development representative. The briefing is to update Councillors on the project, with a view to reaffirming Councils support for the project and subsequently to extend the deadline for investigation and discuss remediation of the site with Shoal Water.

Background

This project has been gaining momentum and is widely supported across the community, however some 'Catch 22's" exist before the project can move forward. At a recent committee meeting it was put forward that the current Council be brought up to date and some discussion take place on 'were to from here'. The time frame for exploring the concept expires in 2013 and for continuity an extension needs to be sought.

Signed

Clr Findley

I was unable to vote on this motion as I took on the role of Public Officer for this not for profit community group. However it was supported by the majority of Council.


63. Development Control Plan Reform File
Index


That Council

1. Recognises the importance of Council's Development Control Plans which are the fine-grained planning regulations that set out important planning controls to protect the amenity and character of local areas.

2. Notes with genuine concern that the Government's proposed Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Bill 2012 will make a number of changes which will greatly reduce the capacity of DCPs to protect local amenity and character including:

(a) Proposed changes will prevent councils from considering the cumulative impact of developments.

(b) Proposed changes so that maximum entitlements under DCPs such as the height and size of buildings will become "as of right entitlements" rather than the maximum allowable.

(c) Providing developers with a "get out of jail free card" if they don't want to comply with DCPs if the DCP is thought to "unreasonably restrict development";


3. Notes that this proposed change comes in the middle of a State-wide review of planning in NSW and pre-empts the outcome of this process.

4. Expresses its concern that these proposed laws are in breach of this government's "Contract with NSW" where the current Premier promised that his government would 'return planning powers to the community' and 'give communities a say again in the shape of their community'.

5. Calls on the Government to not proceed with those aspects of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Bill 2012 that limit and restrict Development Control Plans.

6. Asks the Mayor to write to the Minister for Planning, local state representatives and planning spokespeople for the Labor Party, the Greens, The Shooters and Fishers Party and the Christian Democrats seeking their support to prevent these aspects of the Bill becoming law.

Signed

Clr Findley
This motion was substantially changed by Councillor Guile and then failed to get the support fo Council. I was surprised in the seeming lack of engagement of other Councillors on state issues that ultimately have a huge impact upon our communities.

Eventually though a  report was brought to Development Committee rather than the breifing that Clr Guile insisted on in his amendments and Council did end up supporting that a letter be sent to the NSW State Governement expressing our concerns over the lack of consultation in regards to the changes to development control plans.

October 2012 Notices of Motion:

One way for Councillors to bring items onto the agenda is via the Notice of Motion. At Shoalhaven we have to give  seven days notice. Sometimes the General Manager makes comments on the content of motions and sometimes other Councillors will offer amendments in order to support or to stall the motion. Many of the motions that I have put up over the years fail to recieve support unless of course they are fairly gentle in nature. I will aim to put up each months motions and the result-if they have been supported or not. Following are Octobers motions.  59. Bus stop - Wandandian File 27829E
Council work with the Wandandian Progress Association to assess the safety of the current location of the current bus stop, and the community desire to relocate it. Any subsequent budget issues be reported back to Council for consideration along with avenues for safety funding.

Background


The Wandandian progress association has brought to my attention their desire to relocate the current bus stop to safer location. This notice of motion seeks to start a formal process of negotiation with the community and affected stakeholders to seek a solution. It has also come to my attention that funding may be available through the roads safety officer for improved safety around bus stops, it is therefore the intent for any funding opportunities to be sought to complete any project that should come from the consultation.

Signed

Clr Findley

Supported by all Councillors

67. Strategic Regional Land Use Policy and zero protection for Shoalhaven Agricultural Land File 1753E  
That Council:

1. Note the NSW Government’s renewal offer for PEL 469 which covers much of the Shoalhaven LGA.

2. Expresses its disappointment that the NSW Government’s Strategic Regional Land Use Policy has failed to deliver adequate protections for productive agricultural areas and sensitive environmental areas.

3. Makes clear its opposition to CSG development within the Shoalhaven LGA.

4. Expresses its interest in being actively consulted and involved in the updating of the South Coast Regional Strategy as highlighted in the new policy.

5. Calls on the NSW Government to release the scientific evidence relied upon to lift the moratorium on Fracking.

6. Calls on the NSW Government to give local councils a greater say over extractive industry activities within LGA’s.

7. Write to the NSW Planning and Infrastructure and Resources and Energy Ministers detailing these actions.

Background


The NSW Government has recently released its Strategic Regional Land Use Policy (

http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=DkJI33ytuKs%3d&tabid=495&language=en-US) , which in the words of many has effectively green-lighted the coal seam gas (CSG) industry in NSW. The NSW Farmers Association have stated they are "bitterly disappointed" (http://www.nswfarmers.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/79609/088.mr.12.pdf) by the policy and the NSW Irrigators Council is "profoundly disappointed" (http://www.nswic.org.au/pdf/press_release/2012/120911%20NSW.pdf).

The main concerns about the policy are that no areas are ruled out from coal mining or CSG development meaning all quality agricultural land is still exposed to possible mining and gas extraction. The proposed Aquifer Interference Regulation has been downgraded to a policy failing to adequately protect groundwater sources. The moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (Fracking) has also been lifted but none of the science relied on to justify this change in policy has been made public.

The policy also makes clear that the South Coast will not get its own Strategic Regional Land Use Plan, instead the Government has committed to updating our South Coast Regional Strategy. I am not aware of any consultation that has been undertaken by the NSW Government with Shoalhaven City Council in relation to this commitment.

# At the same time as the Government announced the new policy, it offered a renewal (
http://www.resources.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/443123/Proposed-petroleum-exploration-licence-offers-of-renewal.pdf) of the petroleum exploration licence (PEL) 469 that covers the Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands Local Government Area (LGA). The Leichhardt Resources PEL expired in April this year but remained valid until a decision on renewal was made. Drilling company Planet Gas has a 50% interest in the licence area and is the company undertaking exploration drilling. The licence renewal if accepted by the company will mean the area from Sussex Inlet around Jervis Bay along the Shoalhaven River, Kangaroo Valley and up to Kiama will still be exposed to possible CSG exploration and future extraction (map attached).

The sensitive environmental and agricultural areas around the Shoalhaven is unsuitable to coal seam gas development given the potential groundwater contamination impacts and surface disruption.

The new policy and renewal offers for 22 licence areas around the state have been offered despite significant public opposition to CSG. Polling during the council elections showed 87% opposition to CSG in the Lismore area. A Galaxy Research poll (
http://www.jeremybuckingham.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Coal-Seam-Gas-Poll-Galaxy.pdf) conducted in August 2011 found 74% of people in NSW supported a moratorium on coal seam gas, with only 17% opposed.Ordinary Meeting-26 October 2012 Page 53

#
Background Documents (included in the Councillors Information Folder)

Planet Gas ASX announcement on PEL 469 licence renewal offer (
http://www.planetgas.com/index.cfm/linkservid/B9E33113-D8A9-56BC-03E903AB546D2A4F/showMeta/0/)

NSW Government’s Strategic Regional Land Use Policy overview (
http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=DkJI33ytuKs%3d&tabid=495&language=en-US)

Signed

Clr Findley

This motion failed to gain support it was only supported by Clr Patricia White and myself.

68. Managing requests for Men Sheds File 1753E
That Council liaise with the NSW government to establish a register of land appropriate for the use of Men’s Sheds within the Shoalhaven LGSA, and that be reported back to Council.

Background:


The Men’s Shed movement is building in popularity across NSW, with new sheds seeking to be established. One of the key issues to establishing a shed is the availability of land. Many sheds outgrow their humble beginnings on private property and seek the ability to expand and have secure tenure through utilising Crown Lands. The NSW Gov. has given an undertaking to assist the movement. The Ulladulla Men’s Shed is one such shed that is seeking to utilise crown land to facilitate secure tenure for their existing group. (Media release attached)

Signed

Clr Findley

this motion was supported by all Councillors.

Soft Intimidation is still Intimidation ; Wells plays the soft glove in Gash's presence

Little bit of background for this story.

Prior to the Local Government Election, I met with Federal Member Joanna Gash to discuss the election and the passing of preferences.

Of course it would be extremely unlikely for The Greens to ever suggest that voters pass a preference to the Conservatives in politics regardless of the any claim of independence. They simply are not progressive enough.

One thing though the Mrs Gash and I did establish at that meeting was that we both didn't want to see Greg Watson resurrected as Mayor. I also told Mrs Gash that she didn't need to bother with preferences as her personal vote would be so high that no one else could really assist her- voila- 6 weeks later and Team Gash announced with a fanfare ' NO PREFERENCE DEALS!' which is such nonsense anyway as no one can give a preference other than a voter- Party's can make suggestions but it is the voter who ultimately decides. In Team Gash's fanfare they made out that The Greens had done some sort of dirty deal with Watson.

 The Greens certainly don't make deals, but suggest to voters- well if you like us and we are unsuccessful the next best candidates are from party XYZ. We make these decisions with input from all our local group members,regardless of what any other group does.

At that meeting I also advised Mrs Gash that I would be a team player but as she well knows there are times when our ideologies will be so far apart the word team wont figure.

Little did I know that my definition of team player and Team Gash's was so different.

Deputy Mayor John Wells called me into the Mayoral office after committee a fortnight ago to discuss 'how I thought Council was going' and that he would tell me how 'he thought I was going'-woo hoo lucky me, my personal critic.

However when the office door closed behind me it was a different story and they immediately queried why I was supporting things written by Fiona Phillips. Fiona is well known for her stance during the election on Mrs Gash holding down her Federal Members job and that of Mayor.

They asked me since I had a problem with the Mayoral Minutes being bundled why didn't I say something to them- umm HELLO...Wells and Gash were both in the meeting when I discussed this issue at length and even raised the code of meeting practice that seemed to direct that the Mayoral minute should only address one issue ( there can be multiple minutes). Fiona Phillips attended this meeting also and astutely picked up the issue and wrote a blog piece on the issue. I reminded them both of this meeting.

Wells did actually ask me how I though things were going and why wasnt I being a team player....Mr Wells I was not elected onto Council via TEAM GASH and the community expect me to report issues on process and accountability to them not just roll over and play cute puppy for the sake of good relationships. In fact this questioning astounded me-two people well versed in the world of politics who seemed to equate team playing to NOT exposing the issues! That is the 'game' of politics....disagree on issues and remain civil and listen to your colleagues.

So once again I reiterated my version of team playing....reminding them of the expectation my constituients had.

Wells then went on to imply that somehow we had bargained and they had lived up to their bit by giving me chair of a few commitees (not major ones, but committees that they did not want to deal with)- this was a strange little veiled threat.

Finally Wells played a sympathy statement asking me to be kind as it was a stessfull time for Jo- he did apologise to Jo for doing so but I still found it a little strange.

It was an oddly executed session of intimidation and  in an odd way I am thankfull for the hardening up that I have had to do over the last 4 years. I certianly wont be bowing to that sort of pressure anytime soon.

Arrogance, Ego, Fear and Loathing-make Berry Mga Mansion decision worse

 

Check out how this issue was previously reported in the South Coast Register

Arrogance, Ego, Fear and Loathing-make Berry Mega Mansion decision worse

Berry residents were stunned at Shoalhaven City Councils Tuesday night development committee that gave the green light to a mega mansion for Borrowdale Close.

In a debate that was often heated and interrupted multiple times by the Team Gash, Chairperson Clr Patricia White, no amount of rational argument could sway the decision of the majority of Council.

Greens Councillor Amanda Findley said, ‘The debate centred around protecting the rural amenity of the this quiet corner of Berry from a mega mansion that is resort like in its proportions’.

Clrs Findley, Guile and Kitchener were the only Councillors not to support the mega mansion and gave a variety of reasons why the application should be refused.

‘The applicant submitted the same plans to Council on a previous occasion and they were rejected, Council staff helped pre-condition Councillors by advising that an appeal in the Land and Environment Court would be lost” said Clr Findley.

‘Councillors should not be frightened into supporting an application just because of the threat of going to court, the applicant has refused to negotiate a reduction in the size of the mega mansion in the past, the mega mansion is 1500sqm. The court would force Mr Battaglia to negotiate an outcome that was more satisfactory to all parties’ said Clr Findley.

However in Mrs Findley opinion Mr Battaglia’s negotiation with the Mayor and development staff was a cynical exercise that produced very little outcome.

“Mr Battaglia has since agreed to reduce the size of the mega mansion by 10% but on a development of this proportion its barely noticeable and this agreement was made only if the application was approved, and he would take the original application to court if council rejected it”.

Councillor Findley also has concerns that an emotionally driven decision was made based on personal politics.

‘Clr Guile argued vigorously for the community of Borrowdale Close, many of his comments were ruled out of order by the chair, who later commented to me that this type of debating didn’t help the community. I advised the chair that it was her job to make a decision on the facts not on the emotion, which she advised was a hard thing to do under the circumstances’.

It’s a real shame that Council cannot take into consideration further circumstances that could warrant a deferment of the project. Mr Battaglia has links to the construction company Southern Cross that has gone into receivership owing millions to their creditors. Many people in the Shoalhaven know the pain of not being paid by a head contractor and have sought assistance from Federal member and Mayor Mrs Gash.