So why then are ever increasing numbers of the community expressing their lack of confidence in the Council? Could it be that they see that the very reasons why people are choosing to move to this shire are quickly being eroded?  

The current proposal to remove more than 100 car parking spaces from our excellent interchange at Bowral train station is surely a retrograde step. 

I encourage people to drive along Martha Street and observe the almost completed appalling development that was allowed to proceed. Luckily the proposed destruction of Bowral’s Southern Entrance was able to be stopped in time, but it did take more than four years of constant work, not only by the council, but also by many residents who understood that the proposal would forever alter the character of Bowral. 

At the time of writing there is currently an appeal by a councillor, who is also a property developer, before the court to build an edifice at the Northern Entrance to Bowral. This, coupled with the proposed “Station Street Upgrade” will completely destroy the ambience and character of this place where we have chosen to live.  

Then there are the proposed “Boarding Houses” that are currently being considered by council. I do understand that when developers submit their plans to council the staff obviously have to accept what is placed on the counter. But when the developers have their pre-lodgement meeting with council’s planning staff why can’t the staff then strongly advise the developers what is and is not appropriate for the particular site? 

What do people understand of “community consultation”?  There is no doubt that this does take place, however, taking Station Street Upgrade as an example, the feedback from the community has been completely ignored by council.  

There seems to be a lack of respect from councillors towards the members of the public who make an effort to attend council meetings. It is a matter of public record that the (former) mayor was obliged to publish an apology for his behaviour on at least one occasion. 

On another occasion a large number of people attended a council meeting as they were interested in hearing the views of councillors on a particular matter. Cr Markwart took the chair and his first action was to raise the gavel and state that he knew what this was and would not hesitate to make use of it. And this was before anyone had uttered a word!   

The behaviour of councillors at the regular council meetings is not acceptable in a civilised society. The comments directed to members of the gallery are simply appalling. And unfortunately the gallery has no right of reply.  

No wonder the community has lost confidence in this council.

Public Health First has identified some deficiencies in the Environmental Impact Study for Bowral hospital that the EIS fails to address. One specific deficiency in the proposal will have a widespread impact on all of Bowral.

Parking.

Bowral presently has insufficient parking. The EIS doesn’t identify this as a major problem. 

There is competition between visitors, doctors, staff attending the public and private hospital, delivery vehicles etc. Overflow parking requirements is met by the use of already crowded adjacent streets.

This EIS does not account for the busy nature of Bowral Street as a major through-road nor does it reflect the busy nature of Bradman Oval and Cricket Museum.

Council’s 2016 parking analysis cites the already full adjoining streets to this area with most being over 80 per cent full. This 2016 information is now well out of date yet it is the foundation for the EIS’ solution to handling the pending increase in traffic. 

During the 18-24 month construction phase there will be very significant disruption for current users of existing parking and for local residents. An influx of vehicles, construction workers, concrete trucks delivery trucks and heavy machinery will be felt by the entire town. 

This huge increase to the congested streets surrounding the hospital would be laughable if it weren’t so serious and potentially quite dangerous.

PHF understands earlier options to purchase land from council to increase available parking in streets adjacent to the hospital are not being taken up by the NSW Government.

Local residents and visitors to the hospitals and Bradman Museum should not have to bear the money wasting habits of this government which believe money for Sydney and suburban growth is a top priority and vote winner. 

The Wagga Wagga by-election should have been a clear message that country people demand to be heard and are willing to change allegiance to get better representation.