Cr Jeff Johnson Newsletter – October 2013 CSG Update The NSW Government has recently made changes to CSG (Coal Seam Gas) legislation. The changes include the introduction of a two km exclusion zone around existing residential zoned areas. This came into effect on 4 October 2013. The Government has also released maps of ‘state-significant agricultural lands, which identify areas that will be subject to higher levels of assessment in association with coal seam gas activities/approvals. The Ballina Shire and the Northern Rivers have a large amount of agricultural land that is classified as regionally significant. These areas have not been included for higher levels of assessment. The mapping is currently on exhibition for public comment until 8 November 2013. Last week Ballina Council resolved to write a submission calling for these agricultural areas to be included. We also restated our opposition to any CSG related activity in the Ballina Shire. With these new legislative changes there is an opportunity to make a submission on the Stage 2 coal seam gas exclusion zones, critical infrastructure mapping, and strategic agricultural land mapping. Go to planning.nsw.gov.au/srlup to make a submission. On the 31st October the NSW Parliament will be debating the merits/dangers of CSG, thanks to the tabling of a 10,000 plus signature petition organised by Janelle Saffin and Justine Elliot. This week is the perfect time to email or call our local national party MPs to voice your opposition to CSG activities in the Northern Rivers. Local National Party MP’s Don Page and Chris Gulaptis are both in favour of CSG mining and need to be reminded how the majority of local residents feel about this issue. Email or phone them today!!!! For more information visit : lockthegate.org.au or jeremybuckingham.org/csgexclusionzones/ 100% Renewables Future – Presentation by Dr John Kaye Wednesday 6th November 5.30pm @ Ballina RSL You are invited to attend this important public presentation that charts the way towards a 100% renewable energy future in NSW. One that is based on existing technologies and is affordable, in fact it could be argued that we can’t afford not to. Dr John Kaye (NSW Greens MP) will be presenting the NSW Green’s plan for transforming our electricity network. A 100% renewable NSW is within reach if the NSW Government invested in renewables instead of continuing to approve new coal mines and CSG licenses. The technology exists to build an electricity system that will create tens of thousands of secure new jobs, slash carbon emissions and lay the foundation for an employment-rich export industry. The Northern Rivers could soon be powered by renewable energy instead of coal-fired power from the central coast. All it takes is political will. Come and find out how. Northern NSW Coastline Cycleway Survey – Presentation by Dr Avigdor Zark The Ballina Greens are pleased to invite you to a presentation on the Northern NSW Coastline Cycleway. The presentation will start at 5.30pm on Monday 18th November at the Cherry St Bowling Club. For those who can’t attend but would like a copy of the report, I’m happy to forward it on. Dr Avigdor Zark, a program coordinator in the Northern NSW Health Promotion Unit will lead a discussion on the health benefits of commuter cycleways, and present the findings of the above survey. The presentation will also include a section on the NSW guide for health services when commenting on development policies, plans and proposals. This is a healthy urban development checklist that was published in 2009 and includes sections such as promotion of healthy food, physical activity, transport, public open spaces, and social infrastructure. Protecting public open space At last weeks Council meeting I moved a motion calling for a staff report/councillor workshop that looks at the decline in public open space in the Ballina Shire. A recent local government performance report found that Public Open Space in NSW had fallen by up to 20%. Over the last few years locally weve seen 2 community centres and 1 child care centre build on public reserves. Council has also taken steps to allow another child care centre to be built on Crawford Park in Alstonville. Given that the Ballina Shires population is predicted to increase by more than 30% over the next 20-30 years it’s important that the amount of public open space also increases. Combined with this has been an increase to the building intensity in both Ballina and Lennox that will result in a reduction of private open space. This issue will become increasingly important as our population increases. I called for the workshop to look at ways Council can increase funding for our Open Spaces and Reserves department, look at how the existing funding is spent and to encourage Council to place a greater social value on community land. Lennox Markets Council recently resolved to move the markets from Lake Ainsworth to the Lennox Community Centre. Lake Ainsworth is an ecosystem that is under threat. The water quality, particularly in the SE corner has been described as poor. Council has also resolved to close the Eastern Road, which would have inevitably forced the markets to move. Reasons to move the market include - reduced compaction of the eastern bank, the location in the CBD provides an economic benefit to local businesses, it is close to the skate park and Williams Reserve (allowing children to play while parents shop/wander the market), the community centre provides shade and an all-weather venue, increased parking, improves parking and access to the Lennox Surf Club, reduces congestion around Lake Ainsworth, etc. Its disappointing that there has been an orchestrated campaign against moving the market. This has largely been generated from market stall holders who feel that they will lose business or be excluded from the new location. Im in favour of moving the market to the community centre for many reasons. I also think that the most important considerations for Council is the water quality and the proposed improvement to the amenity around Lake Ainsworth. The sooner the eastern road is removed and remediated the better. No road would mean less run off, more grass and wetland plants (improved water quality), a cycle way, and additional picnic/BBQ facilities. Im sure the day will come when we look back and think we should have done this years ago. Community infrastructure not a priority? Ballina Shire Council recently engaged a consultant to conduct a feasibility assessment of a 15 lot subdivision in Wollongbar. Council has the option of selling the land (valued at $577,500) or developing the lots at a cost of $1.7 million. The consultant estimates the development will generate a profit of $395,800. Additional costs were identified in the council meeting which raises questions in respect to the commercial viability of the project. This development carries significant risks, for example cost and time blowouts, and the future sale price of the land. Instead of allocating the $2.3 million to community infrastructure, Council is going to spend this money (cost of development plus land value) in the hope of making $395,800 Council, has also resolved to allocate $1.5 million to modernise the Wigmore Arcade. These two projects will cost ratepayers almost $5 million dollars with little, if any, return on investment I raise these two matters because I believe that ratepayers money should be allocated to long overdue and much needed community infrastructure projects like an indoor pool, sports centre, Lennox to Ballina cycle way, etc. I believe that the continual delay in delivering these infrastructure projects is increasing their cost by more than any additional capital that may (or may not) be generated by Councils speculative property development activities. This council gave a commitment to deliver these projects yet continues to divert money elsewhere causing further delays on building the infrastructure and facilities that our growing community needs. Council Policies Council is always updating and amending its policies. On last Count Council had 89 Policies ranging from Commercial Activities on Public Land to Code of Conduct to Community Donations. Whenever policies are amended they are placed on Public Exhibition for comment. If submissions are received they will then be reported back to the Council for either comment or suggested amendments. To view the current policies on exhibition (or any policy that may interest you) visit ballina.nsw.gov.au. If you have trouble finding them, call the reception desk.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 12:42:21 +0000
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