COUNCILLORS could have saved their time and energy in writing to objectors of the proposed Islamic Cemetery.
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A letter signed (in print) by just five councillors, lacking the formality and professionalism of a Council letterhead, was never going to carry much weight.
As Marulan Action Group member Ross Cameron told the Post, it was “disjointed and offered more excuses than answers.”
Mayor Geoff Kettle and Cr Alf Walker didn’t sign, due to previously declared conflicts of interest.
Cr Sam Rowland refused to, branding the draft contents as “disingenuous” and likely to further erode trust.
Cr Margaret O’Neill says she makes a practice of not signing petitions and letters in the interest of neutrality.
We understand that councillors are being bombarded with emails, correspondence and phone calls about this highly controversial development application. The Post has attended several heated public meetings about the proposal. We know first hand the level of community feeling.
But councillors must hold their own. Criticism is part of the job.
They didn’t have to react and unnecessarily weigh into a situation that was already volatile.
If a response was justified, it should have been issued on a united front (that is, involving all councillors) on a personal, face-to-face basis.
Verbose jottings cobbled together on bland stationery, featuring the printed names of five councillors, tells us some in Council are too pre-occupied about what the community thinks of them.
They should be striving for a positive developmental outcome rather than naval gazing.
Nothing is achieved by accusing the community of taking “cheap shots” and making “antagonistic claims” about them.
Get on board, Baird
ELECTIFICATION, we feel, should be the number one priority for rail infrastructure in this region.
The campaign for a very fast train passing through Goulburn can’t get in the way of the demonstrated and overdue need for contemporary rail services which are enjoyed by commuters who travel to and from the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and South Coast. The State Government is rollicking in money. And Sydney is overpriced and overcrowded.
It could ease these pressures by investing more in transport links connecting regional areas to the city.
Electrification is a no-brainer.
