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.
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