Time to move on

The results of the ratepayers vote on the Sunderland Bay and Surf Beach special charge scheme are done and dusted. 53 per cent no, 13 per cent yes and 33 per cent didn’t vote. I think that’s called emphatic.

Over the last two years, the Say No group, representing 80 per cent plus of the voters in the suburbs concerned, have fought an honest, democratic and ultimately successful campaign resulting in a victory for the majority.

During this period the Say No group was demonised by proponents of the scheme on all fronts. Door knocking, petitions, letters to the editor and so on, were deemed inappropriate and undemocratic very vocally by the yes supporters. The lowest point of this period was when the former (and notably still) Deputy Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead publicly labelled opponents of the scheme as bullies of elderly citizens; an accusation which remains unsubstantiated (and unsanctioned) to this day. The Say No group wore all of this and remained focussed on our purpose and goal.

Surprisingly (to some, not all), now that the democratic process is completed, the yes group, is seeking to reverse the result, embracing what they formerly claimed to be unreasonable and undemocratic. Door knocking and a petition, being first and foremost…

So, the “Failed No Group”, as some yes proponents (you know who you are) gleefully chose to call us, simply stayed the course and fairly and democratically won. Now the yes group refuses to accept the result of this democratic process. The name-calling and criticism have continued (if not increased) unabated on social media.

Predictably and unsurprisingly, BCSC and its newly elected Mayor, has continued to provide yes proponents with hope and public support for this overwhelmingly rejected scheme.

Simply put, it’s time for all concerned, including you, Bass Coast Shire councillors, to move on.

The people have spoken.

Ross Bencraft, Surf Beach 

*Letter has been cut