Friday, April 29, 2011

Job Losses On Straddie Add To Negative Job Growth in Redlands

On Wednesday evening I moved a motion asking Council to request a repeal of the recent Nth Stradbroke Protection and Sustainability Act 2011 for various reasons.  (See below)  Interestingly, rather than discussing the real issues , they decided to make it personal - as only some Councillors know how! Just because I don't support their position they haul out the personal attacks alleging political affiliations,  donations from mining companies etc.  Quite hilarious really – The Mayor insinuated I was an LNP member because I laid a wreath on ANZAC DAY on behalf of the Federal Member for Bowman?  For the record, I am not a member of any political party and have not received donations from any mining company but I did lay the wreath upon the request of the MC at the ANZAC Ceremony.
  
The motion was lost 9-1.  In response, the  Mayor put forward a Mayoral Minute which is included below. 

Some Councillors claimed not to know about SaveStraddie campaign was about, yet are members of the organisations that fund it. (WPSQ, CARP, FOSI, SIMO etc)

For the record, I refuse, regardless of party politics, to accept dodgy legislation done on the run that does not adequately consider and mitigate the impacts imposed.  Unfortunately, we are increasingly exposed to this from the State eg Water Reform, Pool Legislation, etc. The more we accept it – the more they dish out!

The debate clearly demonstrated that Council's position was not to request a repeal of this legislation therefore they must support it. In fact, you will read in the Mayoral Minute that the Mayor actually "welcomed the announcement"

Welcome sign at Dunwich before Easter Saturday Rally.

While Councillors sat on the fence watching these jobs evaporate in Redland City, they were quietly hoping that no-one would notice their silence and they could secretly support the very green groups that support them. 

I was hoping to give you a link to the Redland Times online article but it seems it has been withdrawn after a stern email from the Mayor!


19.2.1  REPEAL OF NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABILITY ACT 2011


On the 20 April 2011, Cr Williams gave notice that she intends to move as follows:

That Council resolve to put forward their complete rejection of the recent “North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability Act 2011” to the State Government requesting a repeal and outlining concerns with particular objections to:
a)    The loss of direct and indirect jobs in Redland City and in particular  North Stradbroke Island;
b)   The transitional economic planning being removed from Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation and transferred to Department of Environment & Resource Management;
c)    The lack of consideration for Native Title discussions by allocating 20% National Park without broad consultation prior to an ILUA being signed; and
d)   The mapping of National Park being placed over the Water Treatment Plant without any explanation of how that will impact on future water supply.