Berrima District Credit Union has been a resident of the Southern Highlands for 38 years.

We are a local, community-based organisation that employs 40 staff and provides financial services to individuals, families and businesses in the area.

As such, the board, management and staff take very seriously their responsibility to contribute to the welfare of the shire.

Currently there is a great deal of ongoing debate about the Wingecarribee Shire Council Strategic Plan.

Our observation is that this debate has become polarised around two competing points of view of the future.

From our reading of the strategy document we question whether there has been sufficient analysis to form a considered point of view.

We agree with the Council's broad strategic priorities of:

* The need to plan for sustainable and managed growth

* The desire to maintain the rural character of the area

However, we suggest that Council provide coherent analysis of the strategic plan's capacity to address the following key community issues before it finally commits to the draft policy options:

* Will the level of growth planned sustain the existing business infrastructure as well as the proposed additional high technology or "green" industrial development?

* Will the low-growth plan make allowance for a population growth to cater for support industries to grow alongside the preferred industries?

* Will the plan sustain a healthy demographic in the Wingecarribee Communities from which our businesses can draw employees?

* How will the plan make provision for the development of opportunities for youth to both live and work in our area?

We also have a concern that the plan itself does not define or scope many of the key decision-making variables.

It does not specify industry growth parameters, and, most importantly, it does not appear to fully consider the inter-relationship among various parts of the planned policies.

In summary, before setting a definitive date for acceptance of the draft "Wingecarribee Our Future Strategic Plan" as a concerned corporate citizen we ask that the above matters be considered seriously and addressed by Council.

The Board, Management and Staff of Berrima District Credit Union.