Dear Editor, Biosphere Project. Oct08
I, along with many others, attended a public meeting earlier in the year regarding this proposal. At that meeting the representative of the group making the proposal was unable or unwilling to provide any real details of how the scheme would work, let alone how it would benefit the community.
I asked several questions about the proposed structure, all of which received no satisfactory answer. It appeared to me that it was a scheme designed to provide some well paid jobs for a few unidentified people.
The projected outcome was some very vague branding benefits. In exchange it appeared to me that we were being asked to support the establishment of a body which would have considerable power as a pressure group to affect Council and government decisions which have the prospect of altering the local community.
I believed after the meeting that such a vague proposal would die a natural death. Imagine my surprise when I find out that our Council has promised funding over two years of $200,000. How is this money to be spent? Who is to be paid what? How will whatever is done impact on our community?
Even if the impact is only felt by those who remain large landowners and or farmers we should all be concerned. Surely we have a right to be given real information and not fobbed off by someone who was either unwilling or unable to explain the project fully. It concerns me that this group at the meeting claimed to have widely consulted with the community even when they could not accurately name those groups consulted and now no doubt are claiming to have consulted with us at this meeting. Consultation is only meaningful if it is informed consultation.
I accept that I am a relative newcomer to the area (12 years or so) and a Townie at that, however I am really concerned that what makes me love this Town and surrounds is threatened by outside influence without us having an opportunity to be properly informed.
Signed:
Address provided.
