Finally, Councillor Ian Scandrett’s motions were before the meeting. Not one single councillor would seconded his motions—which were precisely what we all wanted to hear discussed. The meeting was over and we marched out. 

We want to know about whether the council has an updated economic benefit analysis; we care about all the affected trees and want to know which ones they are going to destroy and which ones are at serious risk; we dread the loss of the interchange at Bowral station. Even more worrying is the lack of information about the actual legislative approvals. Does council actually own the land they plan to use for their ‘upgrade’? Has the RMS (Roads and Maritime Authority) given approval for the new proposed roundabout? Is the state government aware of the community opposition to this project which not only uses state money but also $5m from rates?  The difficulty for council is residents in the Southern Highlands are not fools and we have, among us, experienced professional planners, public servants and landscape architects. We look at projects with professional eyes. Don’t try to pull the wool over them, councillors.

Wednesday’s performance by councillors refusing debate on critical issues of the Station Street “Upgrade” project, at the same time council is seeking public response to its $15.075 million budget, is an appalling denial of our rights.

Not only has the estimated cost increased from $9.5 million to $15.075 million, vital elements of the project, approved by the NSW Government in the $7.5 million grant, have been dropped: a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the railway lines next to the Wingecarribee Street bridge, over 100 all-day parking spaces adjacent to the railway station that will destroy the rail interchange, no replacement commuter car parking will be provided adjacent to the station. 

There is no cost/benefit analysis relative to $15.075 million to show any economic benefit to the community for this extravagant and wasteful expenditure. There is no concurrence by the RMS for alterations to its Main Road (Mittagong Rd and Bong Bong St); the council has not done an environmental assessment as required by legislation; and the major deficiency in the whole scheme, the council does not own or control land parcels that it needs to build this destructive road (independently confirmed by RP Data on May 8,2018). And the mayor has the arrogance and effrontery to imply that these issues that affect our lives and the community’s amenity have been dealt with before and need no more discussion. 

Councillors need to take a fresh look at themselves and analyse their reasons for denying the community the debate they refuse to have. 

The Council Meeting on May 9 was, quite simply, appalling. Do any of the councillors recall that when they were installed at the beginning of this council’s term they all took an Oath/Affirmation stating:

“I… swear (or solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm) that I will undertake the duties of the office of councillor in the best interests of the people of Wingecarribee Shire and the Wingecarribee Council and that I will faithfully and impartially carry out the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in me under the Local Government Act 1993 or any other Act to the best of my ability.” On Wednesday evening there were more than usual in the gallery as an item on the agenda related to Station Street upgrade and members of the community were anxious to learn more.

The meeting was allowed to drag on and consequently some of the gallery had to leave as they had other commitments. Finally the matter was reached at approximately 5.30pm. As soon as the deputy mayor rose to his feet the mayor asked that the motion not be read but a brief resume would suffice. At about one minute in the mayor stopped Councillor Ian Scandrett and asked if there was a seconder for the motion. There was not. Consequently no debate.

This is the third time that I have witnessed Cr Scandrett being denied a seconder for matters that the community are desperately interested in. Councillors read – and understand – the oath/affirmation you undertook.

Yes, it is now clear that (with one exception) the Wingecarribee Shire Council is a failing us at a time when large hikes in our rates bills and major contracts for unwanted development are in the offing. If this council (and others before it) have been unable to project-manage the millions of dollars  allocated to the Upgrade/ByPass/Distributor Road, and if the current council  resolutely refuses any dialogue about its policies, we are in dire straits as a community. A previous national liberal leader has recently suggested in print that it may be time to sack this council and bring in an administrator. This suggestion has much merit.

As for the council meeting of May 9, which ended in a noisy public walk-out and shouts of 'shame!', the sheer arrogance of the council preventing proper discussion was breathtaking. The deputy mayor was pilloried with  procedural nonsense each time he rose to speak. The question now before the community is how we can ever thrive with such representation.