Post elections and those that were in the gallery at the council meeting last week witnessed real backflips so soon after the election by two of our Councillors (Crs).
Despite overwhelming concerns in the community re CSG mining and particularly in our farming community, Cr Youngblutt, a farmer himself, voted against the continued moratorium of CSG in our shire and pro-viding a strong voice re the many concerns of this industry.
Then to the Kings Forest development which has a long history of controversy. This site is in an area of one of the most significant and sensitive areas in our shire. Many serious concerns with the first stage of this development were confirmed in the council’s, several NSW Government departments reports and an independent review. Hence, why the development has not yet proceeded. Further confirmation this year was how precious this area is re our koalas that are hanging by a thread. Our coastal koalas that inhabits this area have been nominated to the NSW Scientific Committee as an Endangered Population and then were listed under Federal protection legislation.
Earlier this year council’s professional/expert advice to Crs was that dogs be banned from the Kings Forest residential development. Since then it was scientifically revealed the dire survival situation that our national icons (koala) were in – on the brink of extinction. During the election campaign our Mayor stood on a platform that development would not compromise our environmental values. So why did our mayor backflip, changing his position post-election?
Many of those in the gallery and voters who trusted our Mayor in the battle for the survival of our koalas that are at such a critical crisis point are deeply shocked.
L Smith
Tweed Heads
