During the public forum I ensured that members of our community were offered additional time to speak specifically on the DA for additional bore holes at Mt Walker. I either moved or seconded motions allowing speakers additional time.
I acknowledged the views and concerns of the residents who were present and who spoke against the DA.
I have given a commitment to meet with Rob White and affected businesses in the next few weeks to listen to their concerns and issues. I have no formal position on the proposed pumped hydro proposal until I have met with residents and reviewed any formal documentation or proposal.
On Monday I voted to support the DA because I could find no legal basis that would prevent it occurring, The DA was for bore holes to allow further geotechnical investigation.
Refusal would have resulted in the matter being referred to the Land and Environment Court where council would have lost and incurred significant cost.
I seconded Councillor Stephen Leslie’s amendment in relation to the Womens Shed – which will ensure that the determination of the DA will be made by the Councillors in open Council. Supporting this motion also meant waving the s94a contributions given the facility will become a community/Council asset.
I was not happy with item 10.1.2.1 Development Contributions Review and was originally going to vote against. This fee adds significant cost to the construction of a single dwelling and is not applied in either Bathurst or Orange.
Instead, I moved a recommendation which would have excluded the application of this fee to a single dwelling constructed by mum and dad owners. An amendment was moved to defer the item and refer it to a Councillor Information Session. I was not opposed to the amendment.
I will however continue to fight to have the construction of a single dwelling by mum and dads exempt from this fee. I want our younger generations to build in our community and raise their children here – not in Bathurst.
The Greenspot Scoping Proposal was noted by the Councilors. (This was a unanimous decision) This is a good outcome for our community and Greenspot can now start to consult in more detail with community members as they prepare their planning proposal to transform the former Wallerawang Power Station into and Industrial and Residential development much needed in our community.
At the April 4 meeting of Councils Operations Committee meeting the issue of the missing bus shelter at the junction of Range Road and Pipers Flat Road was raised. The minute stated that the shelter was to be installed in four weeks. On behalf of a number of Portland residents I asked for a firm date for installation given it was four months since the meeting. I was advised it should be installed this week.