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Ratepayer’s persistence uncovers another Council resolution officers failed to act upon

At the March Council meeting Ms Penny Hamlett submitted written questions and responses are provided as follows.

Question 1 Did feedback from the community consultation contribute to the closure of the Franklin River Reserve and Bass Valley Camping ground?

Response Bass Valley Campground was closed due to a public health order. Franklin River Reserve was closed due to infrastructure and environmental issues, a report was presented at the 24 June 2020 Ordinary Council Meeting.

Council asks for your say on the Economic Development and Visitor Economy Strategies

How to have your say on the Economic Development and Visitor Economy Strategies

South Gippsland Shire Council is encouraging all community members, local businesses and visitors to share their thoughts on how to best position South Gippsland as a prosperous and thriving economy and a key visitor destination.

Community consultation is now open and participants have the opportunity to shape Council’s 10-year Economic Development and Visitor Economy strategies.

These strategies will be developed with consideration of all feedback received and with the support of expert Economic Development and Visitor Economy Advisory Groups.

VCAT mediation fails to stop Fish Creek quarry expansion and reveals South Gippsland Council’s appalling levels of hypocrisy

The Fish Creek community delegation came up against an army of barristers, lawyers and South Gippsland Council officers as quarry owner Cameron Goldsmith of Hallam Based Goldsmith Quarries used his economic might to force his environmentally devastating project on our community and its stunningly beautiful landscape. The community members aren’t against quarries but are completely against the inappropriate position of this proposal and also note that the quarry is deemed non-essential with over 10,000 acres of similar rock available on flat ground not hanging over our water supply or requiring the destruction of some of the very last stands of our local old growth.

Foster has a history of gold prospecting from the 1870 era

In 1869 some timber harvesters discovered alluvial gold at the present site of Foster township on Stockyard Creek. Within a year the about 30 miners were exploring for gold on their working claims. By the start of 1871 there were around 200 miners and after a dispute arose between two of the miners a local magistrate had to be brought to the area to settle the matter. The magistrate was named William Foster from Sale and the “locals” decided to name the place after him and so the township of Foster was born.

5 ways to spot if someone is trying to mislead you when it comes to science

It’s not a new thing for people to try to mislead you when it comes to science. But in the age of COVID-19 — when we’re being bombarded with even more information than usual, when there’s increased uncertainty, and when we may be feeling overwhelmed and fearful — we’re perhaps even more susceptible to being deceived.

The challenge is to be able to identify when this may be happening. Sometimes it’s easy, as often even the most basic fact-checking and logic can be potent weapons against misinformation.

But often, it can be hard. People who are trying either to make you believe something that isn’t true, or to doubt something that is true, use a variety of strategies that can manipulate you very effectively.

Here are five to look out for.

Community Infrastructure Advisory Committee (CIAC) appointed

A recommendation from the Internal Audit – Budget Management for Capital and Major Works Budget, December 2019, recommended the establishment of a Community Infrastructure Advisory Committee (CIAC) that captures a broad cross section of demographics, interest, and knowledge within the community.

At the September 2020 Council meeting, Council approved a proposal for a new committee called the Community Infrastructure Advisory Committee (CIAC). The closing date for applicants was initially set at Oct 19th, 2020 then October 29th but was then further extended to December 13th according to a Council spokesperson, due to a concentration of applicants from one town.