PROPOSED MOTION
Moved by: Cr Murray
Seconded by: Cr Reimers
1. That Council resolves not to adopt the Cleveland Centre Master Plan and Implementation Plan 2010.
2. That Council resolves to engage the following persons or their representatives to give their considered opinion on the future viability of urban koalas in the Cleveland area as a result of Council adopting the plan as proposed:
Dr Frank Carrick UQ
Ms Diedre de Villiers UQ
Mrs Deborah Tabart AKF
Mrs Debbie Pointing KAG
Mr Simon Baltais WPS
3. That the future of the Cleveland Master Plan be based on the best outcome and viability of the urban koalas in the Redlands
Was Cr Murray's motion really intended to further defer the Cleveland CBD Masterplan? Was she trying to prove another point in putting this motion as she threatened Councillors never to wear a green T Shirt again if they supported it?
Interestingly, I am told that two of the local names put forward in her motion have no scientific qualifications to offer. They are clearly committed to the “Save The Koala” and the “Green” cause – that is no secret! Was it a test for them or their councillor colleagues? Maybe Cr Murray was putting on trial their loyalties to the “koala” cause? Was she challenging their claim to power suckled by the success of placing the current Hobson/Elliott Council in office? CARP, Wildlife Preservation Society Bayside Branch, Qld Conservation Council, Koala Action Group – all of these groups both openly and discreetly supported Hobson and her green team of Councillors in the 2008 Council Elections.
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| Page from Koala Action Group Website pre-election March 2008 |
Cr Murray actually raised some very important questions and points that we should all consider. Who is really running Redland City Council? Are there faceless people driving the decisions (or lack thereof) of Council? Do they have more influence than other residents? If so, why?
Thankfully in this instance good sense prevailed and the plan was passed. Apart from Cr. Murray who voted against?
ReplyDeleteAgree with Damien. Surely instead of impeding every development Council should build a koala 'sanctuary' and make it a BIG tourist attraction!!
ReplyDeleteI am watching for those Council meeting minutes to be on their web-site.
Groups try to put pressure on politicians because by their very nature they are peopled by activists. They exert far more weight in the media than they deserve because they know how to get good media attention and they very often succeed - as the Rate Reform Group did with the resultant rates convergence.
ReplyDelete* The Councillors who supported Cr Murray were Cr Kathy Reimers and Cr Toni Bowler.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it interesting that Cr. Bowler is against development in the Cleveland CBD but not on North Stradbroke Island…
ReplyDeleteVision without action is a daydream - Action without vision is a nightmare
ReplyDeleteSo another plan ... when is there going to be action!
In answer to who is running our Council? Environmental activist groups are! Many Councillors are allied with these groups? Surely, a conflict of interest exists when environment and planning decisions are implemented over the welfare and well-being of a Councillor's own electoral constituents. Free hold land??? No such thing ask those who live in Cr Bowlers electorate who submitted a formal request to investigate "the conflict of interest" claims - of course the investigation was dismissed same as other allegations made toward Cr Bowler and her unique approvals related to her development activities on Stradbroke Island - what is good for the goose never seems good for her gander!
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