2012-07-25
2012-07-21
In regard to failure of the council to honour the resolution passed at the council meeting held 13th April 2011 at item 14.6 of the minutes.
We wish to show why we need to view the design plans for the Council’s proposed Sewerage system.
1. The intent of the resolution was to allow the community to view and comment on the preliminary plans on completion of designs by the engineering consultant. The purpose of which provides the community with an opportunity to see the design and to assess whether it would impact on them favourably or not. It was intended to continue with the consultation processes which still need to be done.
2. The important change over previous plans is the planned location for the sewerage pond,
Penneshaw sewerage-pond planned location
with its potential adverse effects on wildlife and vegetation which is known to the community and could be overlooked by the Council. The intention was not to wait until all matters pertaining to the proposed system were finalised which may take months to complete; particularly as the area is a feeding area of the rare and endangered Glossy-Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami). Development may be denied by the various authorities due to threats to endangered species of wildlife and/or vegetation.
3. It is not appropriate to go to such lengths of ignoring the resolution mentioned above. I suggest that the Council would benefit by revealing the design plans in a transparent way to the community. Some people in Penneshaw have been able to view the plans at Cr Denholm’s invitation. I believe this is a social justice issue, due to it being unfair and discriminating against the majority of the community who have not seen the plans.
4. The Council should understand that the community are being discriminated against. Due to dissatisfaction by some community members this matter was raised at the July council meeting where the matter was discussed, leading to a Resolution moved by Cr Denholm, Seconded by Cr Liu:
That Council place on display the Penneshaw CWMS preliminary design, with the drawings clearly endorsed, subject to continuing assessment and possible amendment, forthwith.
The motion was lost, 3 for, 3 against, on casting vote by the Mayor. Councilor Walkom called for a division:
For: Crs Walkom, Liu & Denholm.
Against: Crs Willson, Boxall, Clements and Mayor’s J. Bates casting vote (her prerogative).
5. As it became clear that the council were not heeding the communities call for the plans to be displayed a Petition calling for the plans to be viewed was placed in the Penneshaw Petrol station. It was only started a short time ago and already there are 35 signatures. The 2011 census states a population of only 276 people in Penneshaw. Our previous petition was signed by 220 signatures.
6. Cr Walkholm and Cr Liu have indicated that they will endorse my letter to you and if you need any clarification they will be happy to receive an email from you.
Cr Walkolm grahamwalkomATgmailDOTcom
Cr Liu kenDOTliuATbigpondDOTcom
Shirley Knight
PO Box 658 Penneshaw SA 5222
Phone +61 8 8553 1115
2012.07.07
Hi Gabriel,
Attached is my letter to The Islander last week which the Editor chose not to print. I do not see anything wrong with it however, if you feel you cannot include it in KIpolis.net you may wish to let me know otherwise please place it on the website.
Shirley Knight, Penneshaw
In regards to the proposed sewerage for Penneshaw it appears the goal posts are being shifted from month to month and it has gone on too long. Fourteen months so far. Now is the time for the people of Penneshaw to be let into the council’s secret and be shown the most recent plan of the project. My request to have them shown was denied again and now September will be the month!!
The resolutions carried in February and April 2011 which obliges the council to display the plans when they are completed are still being breached. The plans are completed and approved by council and some people of Penneshaw have seen them. Does the rest of the community feel discriminated against? The community need to know how this project is going to impact on them and the values of their assets.
We also have our rare glossy black cockatoo (endangered species) which will be threatened by this scheme. We are told that they will not mind a little disturbance – they will get over it even though they are known to be sensitive to disturbance but does the CEO know this? Apparently not but he will take the “expert’s advice”!! Why not take the expert’s advice before he makes these statements?
I take this opportunity once again to the CEO to display the plans to the community of the Island to release the plans of this unwanted scheme.