An artist's interpretation of what 421-425 Bong Bong Street would look like if the development went ahead. Photo: supplied

Environment Levy funds needed

I applaud Clive West objections re: Council taking money from the environment levy.

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If the levy money was not needed there could be an argument, but if there is spare money, why haven't the blackberries been poisoned.

The Wingecarribee River is lined with them as is the creek through bowral, which propagates the problem.

Nick Campbell-Jones

'Hiding behind legal advice'

I read with interest the article in the most recent SHN (May 27) about the proposed development at 421-425 Bong Bong Street.

I have to say, as a long time resident of the Southern Highlands, I'm frankly very disappointed that this DA was rejected.

I am even more disappointed with the council response to your article.

Hiding behind "legal advice" about what council can and can't do is unprofessional and unethical.

As the Hayne Royal Commission found, large organisations should not only ask themselves what they can do but also what they should do.

I have been following this DA with keen interest and support and believe, in this instance, councillors have failed to consider what the community wants and what they, as our elected representatives, should do.

I do hope Mr Todorcevski takes this further. I for one, and many of my friends, are big supporters of this project and want to see an abandoned site redeveloped by someone with vision.

Jenny West

Reconciliation Action Plan

This year's National Reconciliation Week ran from May 27 to June 3.

Every year this week gives the Australian community a chance to raise awareness and have an open discussion of issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

This year the theme of the 2019 Reconciliation Week was Grounded in Truth: Walk Together with Courage.

Reconciliation is ultimately about building effective relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.

In order to do this we must have an open conversation about our history that is grounded in truth.

It is important to engage with Aboriginal history and culture and the only way we heal is to acknowledge the truth of our past.

Teaching our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people about their culture and history is so important for building connections to their communities and families.

We don't shy away from our history; rather we believe that there is courage in truth and that we're all walking this journey together.

I encourage all Australians to continuously learn about our country's cultural history and to be culturally aware.

Through all of our services at Youth Off The Streets we encourage our young people to attend cultural events, participate in programs and learn about the world's oldest culture and they take immense value from this.

As part of our dedication to reconciliation, we have created a Reconciliation Action Plan to ensure all our staff are culturally aware and formally trained in cultural competencies and will actively embrace the principals and practices of reconciliation.