I WISH to reply to the responses sent by John Dudley and Mike Shaw regarding my letter Credit Where It’s Due for the Emerald Library.
Firstly, I apologise if I upset any individual who was part of the Emerald Library Working Group. When I mentioned “residents dedication” I was referring to this group and all who signed the petition. No offence to this group was intended and I thank you for your hard work and dedication in helping to deliver the library.
But no wonder Emerald struggles to get its fair share of funding from Cardinia – they must think we are a bunch of “hillbillies”. John calls the library an “inadequate little leanto” and states that it is located in the wrong place. A total project of $3.2 million a ‘leanto” just a little insulting.
Located in the wrong place? The Emerald Strategy devised in 1998 by the community forum and adopted by council in 1999 had the library and community complex positioned exactly where it is being built. Now years later, when it is approved, we want to build it somewhere else.
If I was part of the next council I wouldn’t want to spend a cent in Emerald. You can’t win – damned for not doing and then kicked when you do.
It is time we as a community speak up, and drown out the moaning critical voices – when will we learn constant criticism gains nothing.
Dale Sayers
Emerald
THE members of The Upwey Village Consultative Committee (UVCC) wish to advise the resignation of chairman, Peter Marke.
If you live in Upwey there is a great chance that you already know Peter, as he has been a strong community leader for many years. He formed the UVCC some years ago to ensure that there was a clear voice for the Upwey residents to all levels of government, especially the Shire of Yarra Ranges.
Under his chairmanship he has been personally involved in many of the major developments of the Upwey township major milestones that have clearly kept the town a vital hub for the residents.
Some of these implementations are noted as the View Street Park, the Upwey Town Square with its commanding mural, the arrival of Medicare, the streetscapes and gardens and not the least, the establishment of the first Hills district Community Bank, of which he is chairman. His work with the Bendigo Bank for Community Bank establishment has expanded to Belgrave and Cockatoo where new branches have recently been opened.
Being a board member of the CFA and captain of the Upwey CFA, plus growing involvement in the Community Bank national rollout, Peter has said that his time is now more limited than before and some rationalisation was needed.
The UVCC members, on behalf of the Upwey community, sincerely thank Peter for his strong resolve in making Upwey a better place to be.
The members also have given their firm undertaking to continue his work in maintaining the future of the township.
Mark Addison
UVCC secretary
Upwey
WE do give credit where it is due and add some criticism. Many Emerald people had long petitioned our council for a library but, until Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato offered advice, the council did not know how to obtain funding.
Some members of Emerald U3A who worked hard to gain council’s interest in a library were stunned at being told that their expected meeting room would only be built at a later stage as an addition to the library.
No credit is due for the multipurpose walking trail, due to be opened in May last year but still awaiting completion. Its uncontrolled drainage is eroding an everdeepening gully in Pepi’s Paddock, just beyond our councillor’s back fence.
No credit is due for selling another acre of the paddock in a hurry in May last year, saying the proceeds would keep council out of the red and that work would begin on the park immediately.
While BMX salesmen must appreciate the provision of a bike track, people wonder why the decision was hurriedly made, just when the Emerald Village Committee was asking the public what was needed on the paddock and the public was waiting to be shown a map indicating how much land was still available. No credit for building the track.
It is not to the council’s credit that it has run up a debt of $49 million. The present CEO, officers and councillors are free to walk away any time, leaving ratepayers to repay the debt for many years.
Give credit that there does seem to be a willingness to consult now a change of council is likely.
Beryl Bartacek
Emerald
I REFER to the story Libs Deny Plot (Mail, 18 October). As an actively involved member of this community, a local resident of more than 30 years and living on an allocated pension, I attended the inaugural meeting of Knox Ratepayers Association on 14 October 2003, along with more than 650 other disgruntled ratepayers.
The following month most of that group plus members of the also newly formed Knox Action group attended a Knox Council meeting, where the chamber was overflowing, to voice our concerns at the hefty rate increases imposed on our community.
My husband and I have attended all subsequent meetings of KRA and not once have we ever heard any mention of support from any political source.
Since KRA and KA have joined forces as the Knox Reform Coalition and are fielding candidates in most wards at the forthcoming council elections, the worms have come out of the woodwork to cast aspersions on the integrity of members of the group as well as some candidates.
The suggestion of socalled support from the Liberal Party is unjustified and totally untrue.
Sure I’m a financial member of the Liberal Party as well as KRA but then again, I also have been involved in many other local groups over the years (school committees and councils, sporting groups etc), and have been a collector for Red Cross, financial supporter of Save the Children Fund, a member of National Seniors, Knox Branch plus many other personal pursuits.
Their decree that revenue from rates will increase by a further 26 per cent over the next five years, following the shocker of two years ago up from 8.5 per cent to 17.3 per cent is unacceptable.
L. Stephenson
Ferntree Gully
RATEPAYERS in Cardinia should be looking closely at the management of the Cardinia Shire Council. The seven councillors elected in 2002 had the credentials for a good council but somehow it appears they have been outnumbered and overpowered by council officers.
Only one, Cr Bill Ronald, has had the strength of character to stand up and represent the people but has been penalised for so doing.
What has happened to Pepi’s Land, a wonderful gift of 30 hectares from the State Government to the Emerald township in 1996, for longterm community uses and relocations as required and managed by the shire? So far the best parts have been sold or leased without a community use.
The old BMX cycle track was closed several years ago, the performing arts were stifled, the Emerald lake closed to aquatic sports many years ago. These needs and others could be addressed.
Village committees formed to represent the people have been dismantled or discouraged.
Has our valuable asset slipped into a sea of bureaucracy without responsibility?
A thriving community needs a council it can trust and respect. A council needs the strength and common sense of the people and we all need a fair go with goodwill and without intimidation.
Joyce Hazard
Emerald
IN addition to Greg Pargeter’s letter (Mail, 18 October), I would like to remind the electorate that when the GST was introduced, Prime Minister John Howard exempted educational books from this nasty little reform. What happened to that? It was thrown out the window.
As for this laughable attempt to "win us over" in the form of newspaper advertisements "selling" the IR changes, we are told that some things will be preserved, like annual leave, parental leave, maximum working hours, the right to lawful industrial action when negotiating an agreement etc.
I don’t believe him.
Iznaya Kennedy
Upwey
