NEWSFLASH 11 July 2016…I’m told that
Robyn Davies will be interviewed at 7 pm tonight on ABC TV News about her reaction
to SITA/SUEZ’s decision to pull the pin on its Allawuna landfill proposal.
It is now certain that there will be no rubbish dump at Allawuna Farm.
Niall Stock (pictured) general manager of SUEZ (formerly SITA) in WA, has issued
a media release confirming that his company does not intend to proceed with its
proposed landfill.
Here is the full text of the release. I have altered the format to make it easier to read.
'From: Turnley, Laura <laura.turnley@suez.com>
Date: 6 July 2016 at 15:42
Subject: MEDIA RELEASE: SUEZ DECIDES NOT TO PROCEED WITH ALLAWUNA FARM PROJECT
Date: 6 July 2016 at 15:42
Subject: MEDIA RELEASE: SUEZ DECIDES NOT TO PROCEED WITH ALLAWUNA FARM PROJECT
SUEZ DECIDES NOT TO PROCEED WITH
ALLAWUNA FARM PROJECT
Leading recycling and resource recovery company SUEZ, formerly known as
SITA Australia, will not proceed with the Allawuna Farm landfill project near
York.
SUEZ State General Manager for Western Australia, Nial Stock, said the
decision was made for commercial reasons following the company’s acquisition of
waste management business Perthwaste.
“While the Allawuna Farm project was acknowledged as an environmentally
safe and appropriate development for the site, the Perthwaste acquisition
delivered additional waste management infrastructure to SUEZ in Western
Australia which removed the need for the new landfill facility,” Mr Stock said.
The $87 million purchase of Perthwaste became effective on June 1 and
has expanded the SUEZ portfolio in WA with additional infrastructure including
an operating landfill at North Bannister, two waste transfer stations, two
materials recycling facilities, three depots, and a composting
facility. The North Bannister facility opened in 2015.
“SUEZ is excited by our expanding footprint which enables us to deliver
innovative and efficient waste collection, recycling and reuse solutions to
even more local authorities, commercial customers and the broader community in
Western Australia,” Mr Stock said.
End of press release.'
This is not only a victory for the people of York. In view of the many environmental
issues and potential traffic hazards associated with the proposed landfill, it
is even more a victory for decency and common sense.
SITA’s decision won’t please everybody. There are a few individuals who appear to have been looking
forward to what I have called ‘a rubbish-led recovery’ for the town. To those people, I have pleasure in
extending my somewhat less than sincere commiserations.
Let’s hope the effects of the decision will result, over time, in
rising property values together with a surge in tourism, more jobs and greater
overall prosperity for our shire.
In his latest column—I almost said ‘encyclical’—in YDCM, Shire
President Wallace says that we are entering a new era for York. He is right.
Mr. Stock’s announcement gives extra force to the Shire President’s
opinion. It brings an end to a
major existential threat that has hung over York for the past four years.
Congratulations are due to everyone—especially Kay and Robyn Davies and
members of AVRA—who took part in the struggle against the landfill. Without such fervent and relentless
opposition, work on the landfill would have begun in 2013.
York’s future is now firmly in our hands. Let’s make it as happy and prosperous as we can.
And now, I’m off to crack open the champagne.
Kay and Robyn Davies, who did so much to save York from the landfill
Wonderful news and Robyn and Kay should be justifiably proud of themselves. Same with the good folk who join in with the AVRA group.
ReplyDeleteYaayyy.
I have noted for some period of time that the company, formally known as SITA, had changed their name. No sure why, but am sure they go the spelling so wrong.
'SUEZ' is what has been publicised, however I do think that the spelling more appropriate would have been "SEWERS".
Much more suited to those associated with the process!
Great news. It has been a long stressful four years.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Kay and Robyn, you did York proud.
OK. It is 08.09 on Monday morning, July 11, 2016. I have just heard on the radio, the news that the C.C.C. are going to be in Dowerin today, to hold a town meeting, as part of their investigation into the corruption within their Shire and the Theft and Fraud undertaken by their former Shire CEO.
ReplyDeleteUnderstand this man has already pleaded guilty, due to indisputable evidence that he took the ratepayers for anything he could.
PEOPLE - DOES THIS DOUND FAMILIAR????
Why is this NOT happening in YORK?????? What the hell is it, that we have to do, to get some Justice and perhaps recovery of funds for the ratepayers and townsfolk in general?
Understand that the public are welcome and can sit in on the proceedings, and actually HEAR the evidence.
As I have only just heard about this, this morning , is way too late for me to go and listen, and probably too late for anyone else, as well, unless people had prior knowledge. And this has probably been put out there for a while, but just kept low key.
As I tend to switch off to most stuff on the radio, adverts, football, and all the rest of the rubbish that is considered 'news', it may well have been mentioned before and I have missed it, but I think I might make a 'phone call, or two, today and ask a few questions.
What is it that we have to do to get a hearing into our mess and get some action? And stop the current shire councillors and others preventing the publishing of info and allowing us to get equal justice.
Admittedly, Dowerin makes a yearly, high profile name for itself, but they are only a small country town, like us. If they can do it, why can't we? Now we at least have some info from the Police, even if it has been shunted into a dark corner again, but it is there.
Time to get some action happening, perhaps from a different angle.
The police indicated poor governence Jan not theft. We can thank Boyle and P.Hooper for showing such poor governence R.Hooper was able to get away with so much. If they signed off on his expenditure then its not stealing its just taking the piss.
DeleteHere's a thought to chew on: if you con money from a stupid person, or diddle an old lady out of her life savings, have you committed a crime? The maxim is 'Volenti non fit injuria' - you can't be held to have injured somebody who consents to suffer the injury. I'm not sure that it applies in every case, though.
DeleteWhat annoys me as much as somebody 'dodging a bullet' is that the information and processes leading to such a conclusion are withheld from the public gaze - presumably because it's deemed not to be in 'the public interest' for us forelock tuggers to know about such things. After all, some local dignitaries might be embarrassed!
Consider if residents started legal proceedings against ex Shire Presidents Boyle and Hooper for failing in their duty of care to show diligence on good governance.
DeleteThey would both start squealing like little pigs to save their own bacon!
Back again, with some further info. Rang Dowerin Shire and understand RADIO, has incorrect info.
ReplyDeleteThe hearing by C.C.C. is to be held on July 28 & 29th. The situation in this case is somewhat different to York, in that the actual SHIRE, put in the complaint, regarding the misbehaving CEO.
First contact made was to Public Sector Commission, who advised contact with the C.C.C..
To get actual help, this has been an Internal Process, from within the Shire itself. The report/complaint, must be specific - e.g. - in our case, what happened to the monies from the sale of the Old Convent?, or something equally specific.
Lady I spoke to at Dowerin Shire, was lucky, in that she got a very helpful, and dare I say it, Honest, Investigator. Lots of stuff I asked about was restricted info, mainly because the person I spoke to was one of the witnesses called to give evidence to the hearing.
To work within the framework of specific items of complaint, there must be actual evidence and factual information, that the Investigator can follow up and track. If that track comes to an unsuitable end or a divide, the interest is increased considerably.
Now, as I was away occasionally, for some periods of time and not here to follow all the info at the time of happening, apart from getting info from friends, blog etc., I most certainly don't know everything that has happened in regard to evidence, again with the exception of documents that James has published on the blog.
However, as I understand it, it will be those documents relating to one specific item of interest, that would provide evidence to an Investigator.
I know we have some absolute crackers of paper trails, so a choice has to be made as to which one we should complain about. Perhaps the now 'hidden' the Police Forensic team report, into finances??
Further, this complaint needs to come from within the Shire - our current C.E.O, Mr. Martin for example.
But, as his instructions come from the current Councillors, this may never happen, unless of course, this comes from within Mr. Martins' area of expertise and under the umbrella of his legislated duties. Let's hope it is.
I have heard some say that Mr. R. Hooper wouldn't get charged for any of the stuff he did with his 'Company' credit card, because he had 'carte blanche' permission from the Councillors.
I disagree with that premise, because I consider that as the Councillors have been elected by the public to
run the business of Council, with Honesty and Integrity. ( now those are two words the you never hear, combined with the other words - York Shire Council)
I believe these people have a duty of care to those who elected them. They are responsible for their actions and should be brought to task for those 'indiscretions', associated with corruption.
The Shire Councillors may consider themselves voluntering or giving of their time, but they do get paid, and out of our rates and taxes. Previously someone tried to excuse them of this, by saying they get paid to cover their expenses. Yes, this is an 'Honerarium', but it is still a fair wack and they don't have to accept it.
The Shire President, last time I looked could receive up to $20,000! Yep. that much. That is a lot of 'phone calls, advertising, and travelling to meetings and postage!! Councillors get a bit less - graduated payments. While that may have changed, I can't think of a single person who would refuse the payment, pay it back or hand it on to a charity. York Town is a charity - well a least we need the money, if only to pay the interest on the loans we have.
What do you think, people??
It wasn't 'carte blanche' Jan, it was retrospective and the problem is that Smythe, Randell and Walters were guilty of giving that approval. I very much doubt these three will vote to refer anything to the CCC in case they are held to account.
DeleteAnonymous14 July 2016 at 01:59 Cr. Walters often voted against issues and requested her name to be recorded but Hooper made sure it never happened.
DeleteAnonymous 14 July 2016 at 18:53
DeleteIts irrelevant if the name is recorded. That means nothing. Smythe did that all the time, her way of making a stand I suppose.
Instead Smythe should have reported all the dodgy stuff going on to the DLG.
Imbeciles voted her ack in though because she spruiks about her unhappiness in the goings on behind closed doors. Sorry Smythe that dosen't count for anything in my book. It's mearily gossip instead of action.
Jan, several people in York still have copies of the documents relating to the Convent sale, including the Shires Financial records - the sale of the Convent was never listed.
DeleteA Shire Staff Members Husband was the Registered Sworn Valuer.
The Sworn Valuation Certificate used in the Tender process did not comply with State Tender Laws because it was out of date.
The Shire of York Administration handled the Tender process.
The successful Tender was David Lawn, a part time employee of the Shire of York Administration.
David Lawn had previously been employed at the Shire of Chittering when Ray Hooper was the CEO there and moved to York when Ray Hooper became CEO here.
Ratepayers paid for the sewerage connection to the convent after the property was transferred to David Lawn even though it was not listed as a condition on the tender contract document.
When questions were asked about the Sewerage connection during Public Question time, Ray Hooper claimed he 'forgot' to include the notation in the written contract.
Several residents challenged the Councillors and CEO regarding the Tender process and for their troubles, they were all relentlessly targeted.
The message of poor governance from the Fraud Squad should be a clear warning to residents of York to be far more careful when selecting Councillors in the future.
ReplyDeleteJust because a person is an ex Head Master or has a York 'family' name does not a good councillor make.
I hope all the councillors (we all know who they are) responsible for accepting the ex CEO's poor governance are suitably ashamed of themselves and even more ashamed of the disgraceful legacy they left. Shame on the lot of you.
Unfortunately some of them are still making decisions on our behalf.
Jan, Involvement of the CCC or forensic audit needs to be requested by our Councillors.
Will the Shire President and Councillors be prepared to put the community ahead of friendships and school connections and instruct CEO Martin to implement an independent Forensic Audit?
Are you people silly or what? There are two very good reasons why Council will not vote to have this tabled, people forget that Councillors Smythe and Randell were guilty of retrospectively signing off on Hooper's credit card expenditure as well other inappropriate uses of municipal funds.
Delete'Poor governance' is all you're going to get, every Councillor from 2006 to 2013 is guilty of 'poor governance' sadly, its not illegal to be stupid, if it was Smythe and Randell would have been locked up years ago.
If the authorities are not going to do anything to bring these people to task, then at least they should be named and shamed, but again, theres the problem, Smythe and Randell.
The CCC did an investigation already when JB was here, so are unlikely to do another one. As much as I'd like to see RH rotting in some prison he only ever did what his contract and the Council at the time allowed him to do (spend our money on himself.) So, its a DLG issue which should have been addressed, not a criminal matter.
DeleteP.Martin dosen't seem like a foolish man to me and I doubt he'd take responsibility for cooked books.
Therefore it pains me to use the words "move on" but its time to put energy into positive future outcomes for York not crying over spilt milk. It's a waste of energy.
I'm fairly certain we now have a strong CEO and at least one vigilant Councillor. The two key senior staff responsible for creating a toxic culture in the Admin have been removed. We have a comprehensive future plan in place and have caught up on nearly 12yrs of outdated policies.
No, Cookies and Cream, the CCC didn't carry out an investigation. Instead, they returned the material handed over to them back to the Shire for Best and Simpson to investigate.
DeleteYou may remember that Best told everyone, in a letter to residents, that the CCC had found nothing wrong and the Shire was clean as a whistle. As we've since learned, that was an outright lie.
I agree that 'governance' was a major problem in the past, but credit card statements and other documents (or the lack of them), as I've pointed out before, indicate potentially criminal misconduct that ought to have been properly investigated by the CCC. I'll go so far as to say that York residents have been seriously short-changed by the CCC, and also by the DLGC, which is supposed to keep a weather eye open for breaches of the LG Act but has done nothing for us except sweep everything that went wrong under the carpet.
Scoundrels, the lot of them.
Anonymous11 July 2016 at 15:32 - You are right, we had very stupid councillors between 2006 and 2013.
DeleteAny reader wanting to know who they were can view the official Clown photo's upstairs in the Town Hall.
The only people who were silly (conned), are those who gave their vote to Smythe and Randell at the last election.
James Plumridge 13th July 1.32pm.
DeleteI agree the CCC investigation was a sham. For that reason there is no reason to expect they would ever open another investigation which would cause themselves embarrassment is there?
I don't get why readers want to spend more money and time investigating the finances, the YRCC, the credit cards, the old convent, Chalkies, the Fitz report or anything else. We know it was all dodgy in more ways than one, that we got shafted, that imbeciles allowed it to happen, that he DLG and CCC covered it all up and that we have a lot of work to do.
We got shafted by imbeciles because people failed to believe the few who realised what was happening. Those people were tagged as trouble makers, in hindsight they are local heros.
DeleteThank goodness we have the blogs.
Does anyone know what JB gave the CCC? He let us down on everything else he did he in York so why would we expect him to have done this right. Who selectively compiled the file for the CCC - Tyhscha and Gail?
ReplyDeleteRay Hooper may have dodged the 'legal bullet' in the short term but he will be living on his nerves for the rest of his life wondering when York Administration will blow up in his face. This scenario also applies to the two senior staff and all the Councillors involved.
It took years to bring Alan Bond to justice.
I suggest anyone with documents/evidence should keep them very safe in case they are needed in the future.
Instead of Boyle, Hooper, Randell, Scott, Lawrence, Duperouzel, Smythe and Randell being remembered for their committed service as York Councillors, they will only be remembered for the worst period of Local Government in York's history because they were too arrogant and pig headed to listen to anyone but Ray Hooper.
Shame on the lot of you.
I agree with Cookies and Cream - we have a strong CEO and one vigilant Councillor.
That Councillor deserves the admiration of the whole community for offering her expertise, considering the appalling treatment metered out to her and her Husband by the Administration during the Ray Hooper era.
We now need to vote in more Councillors who won't break the promises they made before they were elected and DO NOT have hidden agenda's.... like 'being the first female Shire President', a stooge for ex Shire Presidents or doing the bidding of outside power brokers.
Can someone confirm if the Yorkie's Coffee Carriage lease has been sold on without going through the Shire?
ReplyDeleteI believe the Shire of York manages the lease on behalf of the people of York because the land belongs to the Shire.
That's what it says on their FB page.
DeleteThe same thing happened when Yorkies was leased before and those involved found out the hard way it is illegal to 'on lease' the Carriage or try and short circuit the lease process without going through the Shire of York - no matter who the idiots involved are.
DeleteIt's certainly true that if you lease premises from the Shire you have to get Council's prior permission to sell or sublet your interest in those premises.
DeleteAt special Council meeting in May 2014, Council approved a fresh lease to Mr Grimshaw who had purchased the business known as Yorkie's from Mr York.
Reading between the lines at http://www.york.wa.gov.au/profiles/york/assets/clientdata/document-centre/2014_minutes/may_special/minutes-special-council-meeting-29-may-2014.pdf, it seems that the 'prior' requirement may have been overlooked.
The motion to grant a lease to Mr Grimshaw was moved by Cr Boyle with Cr Wallace seconding. It was approved as resolution 360514.
Local gossip has it several York notables each chipped in to buy the business from Mr Grimshaw. I can't find anything in the Council's minutes covering that transaction, but if the premises were sub-let to the purchasers, or a fresh lease granted, Council must have given approval.
Subsequently, that group of purchasers put the business on the market. They included, so I'm told, a former Shire president and a local estate agent as well as Mr Rob Cameron who managed the business. If a former Shire president was involved - particularly the one I have in mind - I'd be astonished to learn that they hadn't sought Council's prior permission to dispose of their interest as lessees.
Come on James, when did that Shire President ever stick to the rules?
DeleteGood Governance was non existent under Shire Presidents Boyle, Hooper.
DeleteThanks to the blogs, they will go down in York's history as the worst ever Shire Presidents.
Shame on you both.
Great state wide promotion for York on prime time TV last night - ABC news. Thanks Kay.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteKay and Robyn should be awarded 'the freedom of the Shire' in recognition of their efforts to save us from the landfill.
How about it, councillors?
Yes, I agree James Robyn and Kay deserve to be acknowledged by the Shire for all the work they put in over the four years on the grounds they personally funded their efforts without asking for, or receiving, any public donations.
DeleteThey are both Local Hero's.
I don't understand you people the new tip would have bought a lot of much needed employment to York. I think its a sad day and those people who were against it should be ashamed they have prevented future employment opportunities.
DeleteAnonymous13 July 2016 at 02:59 -I suspect you are either from our local waste family, one of the stupid councillors or close acquaintance of those involved up to their necks in the dodgy secret meetings with the Waste company led by Ray Hooper.
DeleteWould you please provide proof to us the Landfill would have provided employment for York?
I was one of the many residents who attended SITA's presentation in November 2012. I remember Niall Stock telling us that the landfill would create '6 or 7' jobs for York. Later, the figure swelled to the low twenties, then we heard no more about it. The SAT presiding member, Mr MacNab, wasn't convinced that the landfill would boost employment in the shire.
DeleteI'm certain that SITA promised maintenance work to at least one local automotive business. I suppose that might have created a job or two.
Residents voted almost unanimously against the landfill. For most of them, I suspect, that opposition arose from concern to preserve the culture and character of York as a tourist destination and a pleasant place to live. Other concerns related to possible negative impact on the shire's natural environment, especially as part of the Mundaring Weir catchment area; potential traffic hazards resulting from an increased volume of heavy traffic to and from Allawuna; the possibility of earthquake or powerful tremor disrupting the landfill's plastic liner, causing toxic leachate to pollute the soil (and watercourses); the integrity of the agricultural zone; and the impact of such a development on our tourist industry, already doing it tough as a result of the global economic downturn.
For most of us, those concerns weighed very heavily in the balance compared with the dubious promise of a possible handful of jobs and the probable enrichment of business people connected with the local waste industry.
In the UK recently, a majority of voters in a referendum decided to leave the EU. They were warned of serious economic consequences for Britain, but wanted to leave anyway. For them, the major issues weren't economic but loss of national sovereignty and largely uncontrolled immigration from the EU and elsewhere that has threatened Britain's indigenous culture and way of life. 'Man doesn't live by bread alone'.
I think something similar, though of course on a much smaller scale, happened here in York. It deepened my respect and admiration for our community. I'm not ashamed in the least of my own small contribution to the war against the landfill. In fact, I'm proud of it, and overwhelmed with admiration for doughty fighters like Kay and Robyn Davies who kept going when most of us thought the battle was lost.
Dear Anonymous,
DeleteRobyn and I are far from ashamed of our hard work and efforts to stop the Allawuna Landfill. Not only was the positioning of the landfill an environmental disaster it was sure to cost many lives by being situated along the Chidlow-York Road section of the Great Southern Highway, the second most dangerous road in WA.
If you had bothered to read the full proposal and all of its revised additions you would have understood as we did that the only full time work was for personnel to collect the rubbish that would have blown across and caused pollution to the water catchment area. SITA already had their own staff that would have re-located to York when their Cardup landfill closed.
During our research into the landfill we also found that much of the work was to be outsourced to companies outside of York and that the contacts for the transport of rubbish were already held by existing drivers sub-contracted to SITA. Just because a business in York was asked for a quote on a job does not mean they will win the contract.
You should also consider that with Mundaring only 20 minutes from Allawuna and Bakers Hill and Wundowie so close that employees could be sourced easily from any of these communities and not just York.
York does need employment but should we not be looking to attract businesses that will improve the quality of York itself and stay in line with our strategic plan for our future!
Anonymous13 July 2016 at 02:59 - What jobs? If you believed that bullshit you probably also believe the moon is made of cheese.
DeleteJust because someone acknowledged the work the two Ladies did on behalf of the majority of the community, you have to try and spoil it by being unkind.
Have you ever considered volunteering at the Visitor's Information Centre - that will help create jobs in Town.
Being acknowledged/accepted by SAT as the only third party intervenors to argue the case against the Multi National Companies' Lawyers is something you can be very proud of.
DeleteIt was David against Goliath.
You put your lives on hold for four years, did countless hours of research, presented facts and did not ask for any donations.
It would be appropriate for the Shire president to acknowledge the work Robyn and Kay did, particularly because they did it unfunded.
DeleteIn comparison, the Avon Valley Residents Association continually asked residents for donations. From memory the thermometer on display in the gift shop showed they were given over $10,000.
So yes, the two Ladies deserve Shire acknowledgement.
Kay and myself have broad shoulders. We can accept anything people want to say about us and everyone is entitled to their opinion. Personally I cannot stand rubbish and yes- I too am a consumer - but I (and Kay) am aware of how to reduce, reuse and recycle. The promise of employment for the local people was false and if you read through and do as much research that Kay and myself did on this over the past 4 years you would have read where SITA/SUEZ kept changing the amount of people they were going to employ and also the comment was made by SITA - also written - they only wanted to employ people with no previous experience in the industry. No qualifications were needed and they would employ a few uneducated, unqualified locals. That in itself proves to me what the amount of wages you were dreaming of weren't going to be very high. Not that money is everything - God only knows that Kay and I worked for no money whatsoever from any other source except our own. Kay and I took on the fight together for the good of the whole community - not just York either. As stated once in court by one of the lawyers - this was the biggest issue that a small community has had to face. Since the decision of the landfill not to go ahead Kay and myself have had numerous calls from other wheat belt communities who were so worried. One chap rang from Beverley the other day and said his 90 year old Mother still drives this York/Chidlow road and he didn't want her independence taken off her - but he rang to congratulate the people of York for winning a David and Goliath battle. Before anyone makes any more negative comments - THINK 1st - because it could have been your families that drive that road regularly, drink the scheme water, take your kids and future generations out into the clean environment and not be worrying about their health. Kind regards to a cleaner future for us all. Remember: WHEN LIFE BECOMES INJUSTICE - RESISTENCE BECOMES DUTY. Kay and did our duty.
DeleteHas anyone heard about Christmas?
ReplyDeleteYes. This year Christmas Day falls on 25 December, and most people can expect to receive presents.
DeleteSilly Billy I know that, no I was referring to the CEO dressing up as Father Christmas and distributing presents.
DeleteIn that case, I might volunteer to help as one of Santa's elves, or perhaps as Rudolf the reindeer.
DeleteMany years ago, I agreed to play the part of Santa Claus at a primary school where a friend of mine was teaching. I wore the usual red suit and a big white beard cunningly crafted from cotton wool. The kids took one look at me and burst into tears. I hope CEO Paul has better luck.
Is an elf the same as a dwarf?
DeleteNow the Christmas grouch has gone, can we have decorations in the CBD?
DeleteCan we also have a Street Christmas Party in the CBD like we used to? It could be combined with the Peace Park Children's party.
Yorkies deserve a celebration after all we have been put through.
Anonymous 14 July @ 1:28 - Crikey, not you again! No, an elf is a mischievous creature originating in Germanic myth (Old English 'elf', pl. elven'; cf. German 'Alp', a wicked sprite or goblin, and Old Icelandic 'alfr').
DeleteIn Middle English, 'dwarf' signified a real person of small stature, but the word has since acquired a medical meaning referring to a genetic condition called 'achondroplasia' which inhibits growth, causing a person's limbs to be unusually short in relation to their trunk. Technically, a dwarf is a human being whose adult height is no greater than 147 cm (4'10" in the old money) and who displays the achondroplasic features mentioned previously. The term is used botanically and in zoology to refer respectively to small varieties of plants and animals. The word 'dwarf' and its cognates in other languages have a very ancient origin, perhaps in proto-Indo-European '*dhwergh'(the asterisk means we don't really know and have reconstructed the word on the basis of etymological and phonological evidence).
The polite term for a human dwarf is 'little person'.
Please don't ask me if a dwarf is the same as a goblin, I shall go mad.
Lets have Leprechauns instead. They are real and no one will be offended.
DeleteAnonymous13 July 2016 at 02:59 -
ReplyDeleteOnly after the last tree has been cut down,
Only after the last river has been poisoned,
Only after the last fish has been caught,
Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten.
Cree Indian Prophecy.
Anonymous13 July 2016 at 22:49 - the CEO has already delivered our Town the best gifts ever.....he dispensed with the three senior staff.
ReplyDeleteTo the last vestiges of dross, still floating around the extremities of York, trying their best to uphold the insupportable and support the inadequate - get a bloody life and grow a brain.
ReplyDeleteTo Robyn and Kay, you both should be justifiably proud of yourselves and the folk of York should be justifiably proud of you and the work you undertook at your own expense and under great duress at times,to fight against the unthinkable. AND succeed. Well Done to both of you.
The end result, even though the Head of "SEWERS" said it was a commercial decision, I do think that with the constant refusal by the Town of York to sit idly by and accept the rubbish they constantly pumped out and then at the last moment, the Supreme Court throwing put the 'Roe 8' Environmental decisions, I do suspect
probably gave them pause for thought.
On the upside, it appears the folk down the Perth road might be getting some new power lines, there will be more fuel pumps, better ablution facilities and a new restaurant down at the Lakes and who
knows, someone might even do something about the Perth road, although now, don't hold your breath!
Further to the work that Robyn and Kay undertook, on our behalf, I understand that they have in their possession a vast array of maps, geological and hydrological data, plus a huge amount of extra information relating to our waterways etc., The Shire should request from Robyn and Kay at least a copy of all this stuff and hold it in Shire archives, for future reference - 'JUST in CASE'
Pressure, not just from York but from other Country Towns (e.g. Toodyay) be applied to the Government to change the legislation on waste management for the future. - This is an idea from Robyn and Kay - and a very good one. The 'girls' still working on behalf of the Community.
I think that York hasn't just dodged a bullet, it has dodged a great cannon ball. All will be back to normal (I hope) from this point on and give the Town a chance to reset the compass and charge onwards and upwards. We can all imagine what the outcome would have been, if this repulsive industry had gone ahead, but I do suspect that our imaginations, wouldn't come even close to what may have been.
I think we have been extremely lucky, this time.
We need to remain vigilant and make sure nothing of this type of imposition is never foisted upon us again. EVER!
From this point on, we should be questioning everything. That includes applying pressure to our own Shire Councillors and President,to expand and increase question time for the ratepayers and further explanation provided to ratepayers, regarding any new proposed Industries aimed in Yorks' direction.
As an example, the Shire of Subiaco, regardless of how many ratepayers turn up to Shire meetings, at question time, EVERY ratepayer, gets 3 minutes EACH, to ask questions. All Councillors are required to turn up at these meetings and questions are answered on the spot. Those questions which require further investigation are noted, and info supplied at the next meeting. ALL Councillors are required to respond. It is NOT left to the Shire President to do the 'mouth work' All Councillors are supposed to be on equal footing. It is called living in a 'Democracy.'
No more of this Councillors should be seen and not heard and the President will answer everything. What rubbish. Next he will be calling himself 'Hitler'
Well, we've been there and done that. Only he called himself (or themselves "HOOPER").
"Open and Accountable" is the turn of the phrase, used.
Just a thought: I do understand that the Shire are (again) setting up a 'reference group' to assist them in naming new roads, parks etc. etc.
How about a "Robyn Road and Kay Close" - "Davies Park" perhaps? Yeah, some form of community recognition would be nice for our hard working Ladies.
How about if you have a question Jan, you write to the CEO? I'm sure he'll be only too happy to respond.
DeleteWith great respect, Laurie, to you and CEO Martin, I think the issues Jan raises in her comment are for Council to consider and decide on - not the CEO.
DeleteJan, interesting you mention the Subiaco Council and how they handle public question time, including allowing ALL Councillors to be involved in answering questions directly during Public Question time.
DeleteOne important benefit of this practice is, it provides a good indication of how 'informed' and 'well read' the elected members really are on the subject in question.
From personal experience, the refreshing form of democracy Subiaco Council uses is not unique to them, other Councils also do the same.
Subiaco Councillors also have their own email lists and are permitted to send out newsletters to residents.
When I moved here, I found the 'code of silence' from York Councillors, limit of questions permitted and the 'selectively abbreviated' questions recorded in Shire Minutes bizarre.
Didn't take long to realise it had more to do with control and power. Anyone who questioned the council under the 'Hooper regime' was swiftly dealt with.
It would be good to have our Councillors contribute to answers during public question time AND openly debate issues in front of the gallery.
The verbal "bouquet" handed to these two people may well be deserved of more than just they. Many people contributed to the Land Fill not going ahead and well deserve as much recognition. Regretfully, some made it so difficult for a united group of people to stand together and put forward their opposition to the Land Fill. The majority of those involved, are honest, "salt of the earth" people, who do not need accolades as do some. I believe in our lives, the way we conduct ourselves towards community, family & friends, defines who and what we are, despite any efforts we may put forward publicly to "other causes".
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