The Editor,

Dear Sir,

Thin skinned? Maybe.

Ever attended a local council meeting and on hearing something you consider or blatantly involves you and others, wish you could respond.

I certainly have, but the rules are, you remain mute.

This occurred at the meeting of the Wingecarribee Shire Council on November 14 - the matter of discussion included the installation of two retention basins at Burradoo, to attenuate stormwater flooding in a section of Holly Road, which is nearby.

The utterance was made by Cr Wood, and if I’m not word perfect I stand corrected, the words, “some people have built houses in Holly Road, but, that’s another story, I won’t go any further”

Then on to say “No! these retention basins must be built as a matter of urgency, certainly not delayed”.

Why? Wouldn’t people build houses in Holly Road, I thought, the ex-Mayor Springett developed land next door to us.

But, you the reader may wonder?

Why, would anyone affected by stormwater flooding want the “possible/part remedy” delayed?

My wife and I via five councillors had attempted to have the matter deferred, so that all parties involved could have on-site meetings, with “all” councilors and senior staff involved in this exercise and have access to and scrutinise the design criteria of these basins as proposed, if such documentation existed.

But no, no way.

The motion was defeated when Mayor Yeo cast his second vote, thus 6-5 against.

You now may ask why query the design criteria?

Well, at council’s two previous attempts (various contractors) to controlling flooding in our vicinity, council’s five engineers, designers etc, for easements culverts etc, instead of relief we get greater flooding.

Ofcourse the installation and works were managed by council’s senior staff, together with the costs on private property.

Thus, the reason for concern, and the necessity for complete transparency by this council in whatever they propose.