Yes Minister
Sir Humphrey would have been justifiably proud had he had the opportunity to read the account of the TDCRG meeting with Minister Rees printed recently in the Dungog Chronicle. From reading the account it was difficult to determine if it was in reality an interview with the TDCRG, an advertisement on behalf of Hunter Water or a leaked government intention to fund road maintenance. Of course with no opposing view or reminders of the destruction that flooding of this valley will cause, why would the minister not open his doors to the TDCRG, welcome them with open arms, then pat them on their collective head send and them back to spread his message through the media.
It would appear that the TDCRG in adopting a dismissive attitude to recent letters to the editor has failed to properly address with the minister the concerns expressed by many of the ratepayers of the Dungog Shire regarding the proposed dam which will impact is some way on all of the residents of the Shire and beyond.
Given that the elected representatives of the Dungog Shire have been totally excluded from the planning and approval process and appear to be muzzled by the government and the hand picked TDCRG is viewed as the mouthpiece for the proponents of the dam, our local media is one of the few ways through which ratepayers may express their concerns.
It should be remembered that we live in a democracy and as citizens, taxpayers and ratepayers regardless of where or for how long we have lived here we are all entitled to express our opinions particularly on matters as important as this. Any community representative group should be encouraging community debate and addressing concerns rather that attempting to stifle any views other than those of an increasingly unpopular government. Perhaps a return visit to Keepit Dam to see how an effective community representative group operates would be appropriate.
It must be stressed that if the proposal to build the dam is successful the destruction of the valley and its long term effects are irreversible and maybe the TDCRG may care to take back to the minister the following concerns – the destruction of 3,500 hectares of prime farming land, the effects on those members the farming community in this valley wishing to continue the traditions of their forefathers, the possible increase in Dungog Shire Council rates resulting from the loss of revenue from these properties, the cost to the town generally from removal of these families from the area, the devastation of a pristine river system, the destruction of habitat of the Williams River platypus, the potential effect on down stream fishing, the long term affects on climate change, the construction costs that Hunter Water will levy through increased water rates, the loss of young people from our communities forced away for work – to state but a few.
Regards
Geoff Berry
Wallarobba
Letter to the Editor, Dungog Chronicle 7 January 2008