Reply from Clr Amanda Finlay to ShUT
Dear John,
My apologies for relying on the media to convey my position on the "Tomerong Tip" proposal and not writing to you directly before now.
I do not support the proposal for a number of reasons, and I base my judgement on the information that has been supplied by the applicant and analysis of the arguments put forward by the community.
I do not believe that the current practices in dealing with major development applications are adequate or appropriate. A starting point for any developer should be to take a large project to the community first, to listen too and embrace the ideas of the local community. It should also be the job of the elected Council to decide the outcome of development in our area- after all how could a state elected body know our district like we do or be accountable to our community.
With major issues, there should be an extended time frame for scrutiny and comment. NSW Planning though has been, and remains to be, not about community needs but that of the developer, NSW planning sets up guidelines and regulations in the bid to fast track development rather than allow scrutiny.
I am willing to speak on this matter and enter into the debate, and it appeared early on that some Councillors where also willing to do so and claimed the media. There is nothing to inhibit debate other than Councillors possible 'fear of the unknown' in regards to the joint regional planning panel, however I can not speak for other Councillors.
Many of the statements in your letter I agree with, I am particularly concerned with the lack of information in the applicants environmental impact statement. In appraising this project I find that most of the issues could be categorised as not economically just or ecologically sustainable and as I espouse the use of the 'precautionary priniciple' find the presented 'risks' unknown, unpalatable and simply not worth taking.
The issue of increased heavy vehicle traffic through the Shoalhaven and more intensely around the Basin in my opinion is not acceptable, adding extra risk to those travelling on the highway and beyond.
The issue of waste in general is problematic, we should be looking for innovation not just burial off our ongoing waste generation. Governments should be mandating for whole of life cycle use, to drive the innovation process, and we should demand high end use for waste products not just a 'down cycling' that eventually ends up in a hole somewhere. There could be an appropriate use for the quarry when its operational life has finished, yet at this point we as a community have not been given a opportunity to have that conversation.
The ongoing operations of the quarry requires further scrutiny to ensure that it is complying with the development consent conditions. To achieve this it is my intention to request that a report be prepared for Council outlining the current operations and any non compliance issues. I believe that in the interest of transparency that such a report should be on the public record for the community to interrogate.
I look forward to attending the Joint Regional Planning Panel, when this matter is before them, and it is my intention to make representations to them on behalf of the community.
Please feel free to publish this response on your web page and to read my personal blog post that outlines the Shoalhaven Greens position on this issue. I look forward to ongoing correspondence with the group.
Yours faithfully,
Amanda Findley
The Greens
Councillor for Ward 3
http://amandashoalhavengreens.blogspot.com/
My apologies for relying on the media to convey my position on the "Tomerong Tip" proposal and not writing to you directly before now.
I do not support the proposal for a number of reasons, and I base my judgement on the information that has been supplied by the applicant and analysis of the arguments put forward by the community.
I do not believe that the current practices in dealing with major development applications are adequate or appropriate. A starting point for any developer should be to take a large project to the community first, to listen too and embrace the ideas of the local community. It should also be the job of the elected Council to decide the outcome of development in our area- after all how could a state elected body know our district like we do or be accountable to our community.
With major issues, there should be an extended time frame for scrutiny and comment. NSW Planning though has been, and remains to be, not about community needs but that of the developer, NSW planning sets up guidelines and regulations in the bid to fast track development rather than allow scrutiny.
I am willing to speak on this matter and enter into the debate, and it appeared early on that some Councillors where also willing to do so and claimed the media. There is nothing to inhibit debate other than Councillors possible 'fear of the unknown' in regards to the joint regional planning panel, however I can not speak for other Councillors.
Many of the statements in your letter I agree with, I am particularly concerned with the lack of information in the applicants environmental impact statement. In appraising this project I find that most of the issues could be categorised as not economically just or ecologically sustainable and as I espouse the use of the 'precautionary priniciple' find the presented 'risks' unknown, unpalatable and simply not worth taking.
The issue of increased heavy vehicle traffic through the Shoalhaven and more intensely around the Basin in my opinion is not acceptable, adding extra risk to those travelling on the highway and beyond.
The issue of waste in general is problematic, we should be looking for innovation not just burial off our ongoing waste generation. Governments should be mandating for whole of life cycle use, to drive the innovation process, and we should demand high end use for waste products not just a 'down cycling' that eventually ends up in a hole somewhere. There could be an appropriate use for the quarry when its operational life has finished, yet at this point we as a community have not been given a opportunity to have that conversation.
The ongoing operations of the quarry requires further scrutiny to ensure that it is complying with the development consent conditions. To achieve this it is my intention to request that a report be prepared for Council outlining the current operations and any non compliance issues. I believe that in the interest of transparency that such a report should be on the public record for the community to interrogate.
I look forward to attending the Joint Regional Planning Panel, when this matter is before them, and it is my intention to make representations to them on behalf of the community.
Please feel free to publish this response on your web page and to read my personal blog post that outlines the Shoalhaven Greens position on this issue. I look forward to ongoing correspondence with the group.
Yours faithfully,
Amanda Findley
The Greens
Councillor for Ward 3
http://amandashoalhavengreens.blogspot.com/
