Responsible authority

About two years ago, South Gippsland Shire appointed a new CEO, and quite right too!

Now we have a brand-new set of councillors, I’m hoping for a more effective performance in the future and in particular emphasis placed on social and environmental needs.

In my 42 years’ residence in South Gippsland, the shire has lacked intelligent, well-directed leadership. The professionals over the years have gained total powers of decision making. They appear to have lacked creativity, ideas, positive thinking and action. I amongst others have suffered from the shire’s performance in a number of ways. The future, however, is in their hands.

This week I am informed that a proposal has been presented to council, the intent of which is to sell off a small patch of forested land. I have visited the location and I was impressed with this small animal habitat. It is not the first time patches of land have been sold by the shire to the adjacent land owner for grazing purposes.

We are constantly warned about the threat of climate change, the loss of biodiversity and extreme weather changes but so many residents still want to believe they can carry on as usual. Not long ago the shire was quite happy to consider a car wash for the main street of Mirboo North and then a proposal was seriously considered to build a second petrol station. Both proposals were simply not acceptable to reasonable people.

I had an extensive conversation with a ward councillor. This person was patient with this irate concerned member of the public. The usual attitude protecting the shire and its difficulties was explained which really did not impress this citizen. I can only hope my message gets through to the various levels of governance.

My attempts over the years stressing the need to protect what is left our tree cover and the need to have a proper environment plan usually fell on deaf ears. Such proposals that further degrade should not be considered, the immediate response should be ‘such a proposal should not be possible’. I say the bureaucratic process should be modified.

I must ask the question ‘does this sale with its forest cover loss suggest that the new council is no better than the last, or, is it to be more of the same’? The section of land is approximately one acre, and is located about seven kilometres from Leongatha, on the Mardan Road. Its local name is Watson’s Park.

Ron Brown, Mirboo.

Editor: Edited due to space.