Posters and promises are commonplace during election campaigns. They implore our attention, invoke past achievement, and offer future solutions. Amongst the rhetoric and recrimination discriminating voters are seeking answers to some fundamental questions.

Finance

• Massive losses, law suits, and ramifications of a Korean consortium’s takeover of Lehman Brothers aside, why did the largest investment in our Shire’s history not warrant a full Council debate? How is it possible for those with the Duty of Care to protect and enhance our financial circumstances, to decide that such a huge investment did not require public disclosure and debate?

• It is said WSC have failed to provide the Dept. of Local Government with 2007/08 Financial Statements? Will there be nasty, post election surprises?

Roads

• Past neglect is a poor reference for those now claiming sincere concern. How many millions have we wasted in the past four years that may have better served our Shire if spent on decaying infrastructure?

Development

• There is irrefutable evidence that big box retailers may have a disastrous impact on local economies. What businesses do the so-called pro business candidates, and their chamber allies, seek to promote?

• Why has there been such an acceleration of SEPP Seniors and commercial developments in the past four years?

• Why have developers been able to ignore specific DCP requirements? Why have major projects proceeded with no insistence on compliance with each of the approval conditions?

• Inappropriate development will devastate our Shire. Don’t those who have been in control for the past four years realise this fact?

• We know the lobbyists want it, and want it now. Many of us are legitimately concerned with the consequences of committing to such a large project given the uncertainty of our Shire’s finances. None of the Leisure Centre promotional material, including that published by the council at our expense, will admit what the real cost will be.  

• If we still had $58.3 million in the bank, and wrote a cheque tomorrow for a 50 metre indoor pool, what would it cost?

• We Support the NO Vote, and recommend exploring the redevelopment of Bowral Pool to add a 25 metre indoor pool.

Public Land Sales

• We reject the assertion that cherished neighbourhood parks and reserves, well-located swimming pools and other irreplaceable public lands are surplus to requirement. Surplus to whose requirements?

• Apparently the developers lined up to buy the properties at depressed market prices think they are of value. We want to protect and save our public green space. We support the NO vote.

Please Value Your Vote

Highlands Eye supports Group C headed by Geraldine Turner, and we ask you to seriously consider voting for this Save The Highlands team ticket.

We hasten to add there are other candidates who may well serve to protect the integrity, character and heritage of our Shire.

Please cast your ballot for the Shire’s future with great care. Habitual voting based on party political allegiance may be inappropriate at this time, and past choices may no longer be in our Shire’s best interests.

It is no exaggeration to claim September 13 will be a day of great significance in our Shire’s history. Do we really want more of the same?

Thank You

This is the final edition of Highlands Eye to appear in this publication. Sincere thanks to our many readers whose positive feedback and support have made this column possible.

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Written and authorised by L M Coulson, Save The Highlands Inc, Old Mandemar Road, Berrima, 2577