Platform promises were revisited at the April 26 council meeting, where transparency was they key concern of one particular debate.

Councillors Larry Whipper and Gordon Markwart suggested Hume Coal and Coal Free Southern Highlands be invited to make public presentations at the May 10 and 24 council meetings, respectively.

Councillors asked about the meeting’s length, structure and venue. Cr Whipper proposed a public meeting at the council chambers and took on feedback from fellow councillors for a 90-minute meeting, rather than the 60 minutes proposed.

However, he was not on board with a suggestion from Cr Duncan Gair’s that the meeting not include questions from the gallery, though Cr Graham McLaughlin was. “It’s a good idea that we hear information from both sides but I don’t know that doing it in here with a packed gallery with placards, t-shirts and emotions running high – I don’t think that’s where we need to be as a council,” Cr McLaughlin said.

Debate turned to arguments for and against involving the public, including logistics such as whether the council chamber could accommodate the number of residents who would be interested in attending, and if Hume Coal would agree to the meeting. 

Mayor Ken Halstead said although he saw merit in both suggestions, he favoured the involvement of the public. “I won’t be part of a situation where the public goes berserk or misbehaves because they’ll go through the door. They either sit there, do the right thing while both groups are here, or maybe we terminate it. I’m quite capable of terminating a meeting,” he said.

Cr Whipper said he was disturbed by councillors’ suggestions the community be excluded from the meetings.

“We go to every election saying we’re open, we’re transparent, we don’t want to hide anything,” he said. “But when we get the opportunity to prove that what we’re saying is close the doors, keep the public out.”

Cr Whipper’s argument resonated with Crs Halstead, Markwart, Peter Nelson and Ian Scandrett who formed a majority vote, quashing Cr Gair’s suggestion. All councillors bar Garry Turland then voted in support of a public meeting.

When contacted for comment, Hume Coal spokesman Ben Fitzsimmons said Hume Coal would host its own public information sessions in May, which the public and all council members would be welcome to attend.

“All will be welcome to use the opportunity to ask questions of experts and Hume Coal staff about the project and the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS),” he said.