This week the IPCC released their current reports - that's a whole other post also - the release of the report has been rightfully overshadowed by the current climate change driven catastrophe that has been unfolding in SE Qld and NSW with a slow moving storm front that has been causing havoc with some of the worst recorded floods in Northern NSW.
Meanwhile in the Shoalhaven preparations are under way for when the slow moving storm hit's the coast. Getting storm prepared is one of those things we do on a regular basis in the Shoalhaven as we have a number of really low lying communities that experience flooding.
Shoalhaven Heads is one such community at the mouth of the Shoalhaven River, where an intermittently opening and closing barrier dune system exists. Over many decades the community, State Government Agencies and Council have developed an Entrance Management Plan. These plans are created with science as the basis of good decision making as opening an entrance is a fraught process. Open too early and a place could be inundated with ocean water, or there might not be the perfect confluence of outgoing tide and flood waters to move the maximum amount of sand. The State Government are the ultimate responsibility, council has a role to play being the agent on the ground and the level of government closest to the people.
Flood times create a lot of anxiety and the role of civic leaders is to help our community through the hard times - not to super pump anxiety and make them feel like flood planning isn't happening as it should.
Enter one of our local members, who seemed to think the exact opposite. What's even more disappointing about this members actions, is that he used to be on Council and knows exactly the parameters of the entrance management plans - so there is zero excuse for these nonsense actions at a time when our community need us.
The local member then proceeded to try and use a narrative that has been used against his Federal Leader, that somehow I was missing in action, not doing what was supposed to , he declares to the world that I need to 'get a grip', I think sir the opposite is true, you need to get a grip on what leadership is meant to do during times of crisis and not just run unhelpful political interference.
The irony isn't lost on me for the leaders that have been missing in action are the currently elected Liberal Party.
*Missing in action on climate change ( they say they are acting but its just not enough)
*Missing in action for real leadership on how our state will manage the impacts we are now seeing from a changing climate
*Missing in action on managing coastal communities with sea level rise and increased storm ferociousness
*Missing in action with funding to assist Council's to deal with the aftermath of deadly storms
Oh and the so called letter of request - missing from my inbox - written, posted on line for political purposes, never received in my inbox, yet a whole bunch of 'reply all' with more misinformation that Shoalhaven Heads will benefit from a permanent opening.
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| The never received letter |
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| Just another day at the office for local member rubbishing people - |
