Recording of Council Meetings not On

The issue of recording Council meetings has been floating around for a few months now. I first suggested it in May as a way of providing more access to the community for Council meetings.

At present you must attend the meeting or listen to a broadcast by Shoalhaven FM (which may or may not happen).

Council has been heavily criticised in the past for its lack of consultation and community engagement, having the recorded meetings made available to the public added in my opinion another layer of accountability.

Clr Andrew Guile claimed that it was just an 'indulgence' and had little benefit

Clr Gareth Ward tried out his budding lawyer skills and regaled us with tales of liability, qualified privilege and so on ending with a recommendation that any liability issues remain with Shoalhaven FM as a continuing service broadcaster.

It is interesting to see how each of the Councillors reacts to this issue. At a previous meeting Clr Watson had a mind to support me on this issue, but not this time as he claimed it just another expense.

It is part of my role to continue to look for innovative ways to improve accountability, access and engagement for the community. Having no success in this issue certainly doesn't deter me from continuing with this mission

Berry Sustainable Living Forum

Saturday was spent in Berry with Tannar, as we attending the morning session at the Four Seasons Sustainability Forum.

Deny and Kim, put together an excellent mini expo that offerred a variety of products to follow up on and interesting lectures from local people.

The first lecture was a tag team effort by Kelly Upton and Gerrard Proust, who took the audience on a walk through their sustainable garden at Tomerong and through the garden project that Kelly works on in Bomaderry. With many photos and an enthusiastic presentation style, they inspired the audience to go away and get busy in the garden, they gave away seeds and fruit tastings from their harvest. Tannar was most impressed about this as she clutched some bags with bean and parsley seeds.

Colin Irwin gave an interesting talk on the design elements of housing and how something as simple as the placement of the home on the land can make all the difference to the comfort of the home throughout the seasons. From the delight full family home that has been completed as the Sustainable House Shoalhaven Project to the large and private residences Colin presented many options to the assembled.

Ben van der Wijngaart discussed transition and took us on a positive journey through the huge issues that challenge us as a nation when it comes to climate change-to looking at the possibilities for a post climate change world. The future can look bright, it really needs community to get together and put pressure on government to deliver the outcomes that most of the population would like to see enacted.

Tannar wanted to take the electric motor bike that was on display. She was most impressed by its futuristic look and of course the fast red colour it was painted.

I wanted to pack up the aquaponics display and take it home for instant installation in the front garden. What a practical way to achieve a water feature while growing your own vegetables and fish.

We had an enjoyable morning together and either Tannar is a remarkably patient child or she just found the day interesting ( I hope it is both) and we made it through to lunch time before heading South again.

Well done to Deny and Kim, who went to a lot of effort in trying to demystify the issue of sustainability and show that we all have a role to play from changing light globes to taking responsibility for our own power consumption.

Lies, Derision, Back Stabbing its all here in local Government!

Now for the truth!


Below is the follow up piece that the paper printed. But what they feared to print goes like this.

On Monday night, when I 'dared' challenge Clrs Ward and Guile for their roles as deputy, they decide to dish out their little petty tyrant punishment by voting me out of the position of Chairperson for the climate change committee. Of course they will deny this allegation, but I had two separate informants tell me of their backstabbing plot. Besides I have witnessed them execute similar plots on others so was hardly surprised at my fate.
Clr Ward has also threatened me in the past and delivered his vitriolic responses to some of the issues that I have raised.

I have appealed to Clr Ward's ambitious sense of self and requested that he set an example in the chamber and not reduce the argument to ridicule and derision, something he could take with him into state politics setting a new standard in behaviour. It would seem an impossible task for a young man who appears to model himself on the very bad behaviour that government is renowned for.
At least I am under no illusion as to what Clrs Ward and Guile represent.
Sometime ago I raised a notice of motion in regards to meeting etiquette, that had simple statements such as,
Listen without preconceptions and be open to new ideas.
Respect others' points of view.
Encourage quieter people to speak
Avoid negative body language
Avoid sexist language
Address the issue not the person
Avoid all aggressive verbal or non-verbal interactions
Avoid side-conversations and interjections
Leave the room if you don't want to listen

These amendments were howled down as 'unnecssacary' as they are part of an 'unspoken code which all will follow'. I am tempted to raise them again, as Clrs Ward, Guile and Co seem unable to abide them.
Such is politics :-)

Findley explains why she stood against the Shoalhaven’s young deputy mayor

25/09/2009 1:08:00 PM South Coast Register.

AFTER spending a year as Shoalhaven City Council’s youngest-ever deputy mayor, Gareth Ward was re-elected this week.

However he faced a challenge from Greens councillor Amanda Findley.

Cr Findley said she nominated to “give my peers a choice”, and while the votes overwhelmingly went against her, felt it was a worthwhile exercise.

“I felt I had something to offer when it comes to maturity,” Cr Findley said.

While saying she thought Cr Ward had done “a very good job” as deputy mayor for the past 12 months, Cr Findley added, “I’m just as capable, and maybe slightly more mature.”

She admitted being critical of Cr Ward’s behaviour during council meetings, saying he was prone to giggling, passing notes and talking while others had the floor.

“I also wanted to do it for gender equality and women’s representation in local government,” she added.

Cr Findley was supported by Shoalhaven Independents councillors Greg Watson and Josie Young, and said Cr Watson’s vote was “a surprise”.

“At least he had a choice, and that’s what democracy is about,” she said.

After his victory Cr Ward said he was looking forward to being part of continued changes at council.

Greens and Watson ally- How the paper reported it.

Here is how the paper reported my noination for Deputy Mayor

Watson and Greens join forces in deputy vote
23/09/2009 8:19:00 AM South Coast Register.

THE old adage that politics makes strange bedfellows was demonstrated on Monday night when Shoalhaven City Council elected its deputy mayor and assistant deputy mayor.
While the Greens in the past couple of years have condemned former Shoalhaven Mayor Greg Watson, and the Shoalhaven Independents Group’s links with developers who donated to election campaigns, Greens councillor Amanda Findley and Cr Watson united as leadership positions were put to the vote.

Incumbent deputy mayor Gareth Ward and assistant deputy mayor Andrew Guile were both opposed by Cr Findley.
Cr Ward retained his position 10 votes to three, with Cr Findley supported by Cr Watson and Josi Young from the Shoalhaven Independents Group.

In the vote for assistant deputy mayor Cr Andrew Guile was victorious nine votes to four, with Cr Findley also attracting the support of fellow Ward Three representative Cr Robert Miller.

Following the vote Cr Ward congratulated Cr Findley for nominating for the positions and putting the democratic processes to the test.

He also praised his fellow councillors, and the mix of qualities they brought to discussions.
"There is both experience and wisdom, as well as energy and ideas, in this room," Cr Ward said.
Cr Guile said it was "a privilege to sit around this table" with other councillors.

Tasmanian Forest defenders take heart in Forestry bungle!

This year we visited Tasmania and spent some time at Camp Flozza- a protest camp set up to keep Forestry Tasmania accountable for their actions in some of Tassies most devine old growth forest. We took part in a mass action that took us into the area that was being decimated for a  road that will create greater access to the ancient forest. Over the last 2.5years many protesters have been arrested for trespass- seems today there was light at the end of the tunnel.

Read the following Media Release from Still Wild STill Threatened

Conservationists convicted of trespass in the Upper Florentine valley will be contacted and urged to appeal against their convictions, according to Still Wild Still Threatened.


The organisation that spearheaded protests in the old growth forests of the Upper Florentine said that more than 90 charges of trespass have been laid and gone before the courts since February, 2007. Still Wild Still Threatened will put a call out via the internet sites Facebook and Myspace, as well as email contact lists, to the 90 plus people arrested in the Upper Florentine for trespass, including many international visitors, urging them to get legal advice to appeal against their convictions.

This follows the revelation that Forestry Tasmania bungled the exclusion zone boundary and gave wrong information to the police, resulting in the trespass charge against Derwent Valley grandmother Lynda Blyth being dropped. The police have also communicated that trespass charges against others accused of trespass would also be dropped if they fall into the same category as that of Ms Blyth, who was arrested over 200 metres from the exclusion zone.

“Dozens of people have stood up to the Government, Forestry Tasmania and the logging industry to defend the ancient forests of the Upper Florentine and they have been wrongly accused of breaking the law,” said Natalie Keene, Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson. “Many have been wrongfully convicted because the police blindly accepted the word of Forestry Tasmania.”

"Those wrongly convicted should have legal and other costs incurred through their arrests and trials reimbursed by Forestry Tasmania," Ms Keene said.
The Upper Florentine exclusion zone has been in place off and on according to the bungled boundaries since April 2006. Since then, there have been a constant community presence and numerous protests resulting in over 90 charges of trespass.
"Forestry Tasmania should apologise to all the members of our community they have wrongly accused of breaking the law," said Ms Keene. "We demand that the Tasmanian Government put in place a more effective watchdog for Forestry Tas, whose incompetence continues to be exposed." Ms Keene said.

"Premier Bartlett has egg on his face because he blindly accepted Forestry Tasmania's claims that people were breaking the law. We hope this development will encourage him to be less gullible - and more clever - in his approach to the forest issue." said Ms Keene.

Sex Education and the Fred Nile Group

The shocking discovery that my daughter participated in a sex education class that has links to the Fred Nile Group has led to some pretty interesting conversations over the last week.

It has also led me on an interesting journey around the Internet- trying to find more information, but I haven't been on my own.

When the beans first spilt, I contacted Dr Leslie Cannold a well known ethicist and campaigner for the rights of women to make informed decisions. I wanted to let Leslie know of the confusing identity that Choices Decisions Outcomes had created when linking itself to Real Choices Australia which has the same three letter acronym as Reproductive Choice Australia. Both organisations are diametrically opposed in regards to the rights of women to have an abortion.

Leslie pointed out to me that the organisation Federation of Pregnancy Support Services Inc which certifies the trainers (Ulladulla High School) is an umbrella organisation for the Right to Life groups that underwent scrutiny via the Federal Government Senate and had to make significant changes to its constitution to prove impartiality and gain federal government funding.

A cross party Private Members bill was introduced in 2006 to cut through the confusing state of pregnancy counselling services offered in Australia.

Senator's Natasha Stott Despoja, Judith Troeth, Carol Brown and Kerry Nettle introduced the Pregnancy Counselling (Truth in Advertising) Bill 2006. The Bill extended the widely accepted principle of transparency in advertising to pregnancy counselling services.

Sadly, anti-abortion services advertise in ways designed to mislead and confuse women. These services provide false information to women about the risks of abortion, and will not refer women to a termination service, even if they request it. The Bill draws a line in the sand when it comes too false advertising. It prohibits agencies that will not refer for abortion from disguising this fact in the ads they put in GPs surgeries, and in the Yellow and White Pages,

So three years later on we are still in a position of misleading information with the Choices Decisions Outcomes program being delivered to teens by the Right to Life followers with no choices given to parents in regards to participation. A position that has to change. Public schools should not be engaging in one-sided debate but remain secular and allow young people to thrive in a balanced environment. For religious schooling there are plenty of private school options available.

Shoalhaven a loser in electricty privatisation.

Shoalhaven will lose jobs in the public sector should the NSW State Governments electricty asset sale go ahead.

Not only Integral jobs will go, but opportunities will be lost at Bamarang Gas Fired Power Station which was approved in 2006.

Electricty in NSW may need a shake up- but it is a renewable future that it is crying out for not privatisation.

Read what Greens MLC John Kaye had to say on the situation...


As details of Finance Minister Joe Tripodi's so-called "energy reform" package emerge, it is increasingly clear that the Rees government is selling off the existing coal-fired power stations in all but name only. Their electricity privatisation strategy is in deep trouble, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: "Despite Joe Tripodi's expensive overseas trip and six months of high pressure marketing, it is now clear that the Rees government is struggling to find even one purchaser willing to pay a premium price for a slice of the state's electricity industry.
The Finance Minister is softening us up for a failure of the tradesale. Such is his lack of confidence in finding buyers with enough cash that he is preparing a stock market float of some of the most attractive assets and a potential fire sale auction of the rest. "Anyone who was not ideologically committed to privatisation would pull out at this point

"Without regards for the disastrous consequences for households, the environment and power station workers, the Rees government is pushing ahead despite the lack of interest and the risks of losing billions on a forced sale.

"Once the strategy has begun, the Rees government's commitment to the early purchasers to put the entire industry under private control will force a fire sale of the remaining assets. "The thin veneer of so-called ‘gen traders' model has finally been stripped away.
Joe Tripodi has admitted that the private sector will get almost complete control of the power stations for the duration of their technical life. "Any pretence that the coal fired power stations are not being handed over to private control has been destroyed by the admission that the traders will have day to day control over operations, maintenance and the future of electricity workers.
"Gen traders will also be given the right to invest in the powerstations to prolong their lives or increase their coal-burning capacity," Dr Kaye said. For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455

Hooded Plovers Hounded of Beaches

Thanks to well informed friends I was dismayed to find out that over the last month dogs have been hounding the hooded plovers who are trying to make good with nesting on South Coast beaches.

Hoodies as they are know to locals are rare due to the interference from humans and man's so called best canine friend running wildly on certain beaches.

Unfortunately the owners of these dogs seem to keep getting away with their pooches interfering with Hoodies breeding season and so the decline in numbers.

These small birds nest in a depression on the beach and are very sensitive to disturbance.

My task this week will be to call for additional ranger patrols particularly in and around the beaches of Bawley Point were the nesting activity is occurring.

Sex Education and the Religious Right

My 12 year old daughter came home from school yesterday and informed me that

"you can loose your virginity by pashing (kissing) some one"

WHAT THE!!!!

Call it good management or otherwise but my daughter already had 'that' talk and knew this to be a lie.

So I did what any parent would do when presented with this sort of information, I started researching what was going on at school.

Ulladulla High School has volunteers present to the children a program called Choices, Decisions, Outcomes (CDO) a so called "innovative, value based education program for adolescents encouraging responsible decision making regarding sexuality".


The young people were given a take home kit which included an appraisal card directing children to a web resource. All of this seems fairly tame but focused on the issue of teen pregnancy.

The web site is also partnered by an organization calling themselves RCA or Real Choices Australia a pro-life anti abortion organization.

RCA is a three letter acronym which in my opinion has been 'borrowed' from Reproductive Choices Australia… '[is] a coalition of organisations and individuals who are interested in ensuring that women’s reproductive rights are protected and enhanced in Australia'.

As I went about this research I also discovered that the program was delivered by the local Baptist Church. Their representative Mrs Rhonda Avasalu is a member of the Christian Democratic Party (The Fred Nile Group) and was an unsuccessful candidate in the 2007 Federal election. The Fred Nile Group are renowned for their homophobic, fanatical religious views, anti- abortion and anti- civil rights.

I find it very disturbing that my local public high school can continue to deliver such a program to its year seven student body, when a similar program was banned in June 2009 by the NSW Education department because of its links to the Fred Nile Group.

'An expert in sex education in schools, Associate Professor Anne Mitchell of La Trobe University, said it was entirely appropriate for children in years 5 and 6 to be taught about conception, pregnancy and life in the womb. Professor Mitchell states however "My problem would be if it's put in an ideological framework, if it's being used to influence people's thinking about abortion."

The program taught at Ulladulla High School needs to be brought to the attention of the NSW Department of Education and banned because like the other program it is linked to the Christina Democratic Party ( Fred Nile Group) and a known anti abortion group ( Life before Birth).

When I contacted the Dept of Eduction, I was advised that school principals have the discretion to endorse programs that "enrich learning".

Any assistance from the community on this issue would be appreciated and I urge any one with information to share it with the Minister for Education, myself or Ulladulla High School.