Save St Clair Update
02/12/09
Web site; You’re on Our Homepage – If you’d like to support this cause, Join Here
Facebook; Save St Clair Reserve !!!
Great Turnout to Rally on Monday 23rd Nov – Thanks Everyone!!!
Congratulations to all the supporters who came along and to those who spoke; it was a truly great turnout.
We really made our presence felt and had good coverage in the media the following day including a great segment on Today Tonight highlighting the interesting allegiances of 11 Charles Sturt councillors as Labour party members and government employees. Check our web page or Facebook page to view this and other highlights. The media reported crowd estimates between 300 and 700 strong; those of you that were there will know that the crowd was definitely closer to the upper end of this range!
Whilst we were disappointed with the motion to swap St Clair being carried through 13 votes to 3 against, we were not altogether surprised, given the allegiances mentioned above. It was also disappointing to see that residents and ratepayers were locked out of the meeting – does this not make it an illegal meeting? When we crossed to the council chamber we found that council had opted to close and lock the doors very early (after having apparently stacked the chamber with Council employees and friends!) and the crowd of mums and dads, children and grandparents were left standing outside in the non-airconditioned foyer throughout the proceedings, looking at a screen filled with words. Again, we were treated with contempt by those whose salaries we pay and those who were elected to serve us.
We were very sorry to see that many older residents had no choice but to stand for a considerable time in a very uncomfortable and stuffy environment, and we can understand why some needed to leave because of this. Perhaps at any further gatherings those of us who are able can tuck a folding chair under their arm!
We must acknowledge the incredible amount of time that Councillor Robert Grant of Woodville Ward has put in. He has attended many, many meetings including those of our Charles Sturt Ratepayers group. He spoke so ably on the night and was well supported by Councillor Harley of Beverley and Councillor Ghent of Semaphore Park. They were the only three councillors who opposed the land swap motion and a quick email/phone call or note of appreciation for their stand would help encourage them. Of, course, similar communication expressing strong disapproval of any/all of the other councillor’s decision to approve the land swap would also be appropriate.
It is noted that Councillor Brian Massey of Woodville Ward who initially opposed the land swap, changed his mind this time and voted for the swap to go ahead. He was the only Councillor to change his vote from the earlier meeting when the motion was first put. (Although it was also noted that Councillors Anna Rau, Paul Sykes and Tom Scheffler all seem to have conveniently forgotten their earlier calls for more consultation, public meetings and answers to the unanswered questions of residents!). Interesting, isn’t it, how positions can magically change between meetings? We can only hope that a similar epiphany happens to such stalwart supporters of the land swap as Tolley Wasylenko, Chris Wallis, Carmela Luscri, Raffaele Angelino and Jim Fitzpatrick, and that they change their votes next time!
Judicial Review
As our elected officials failed us, our only possible course of action was to lodge legal proceedings asking for a judicial review of the Minister’s decision to approve the land swap without considering the merits of the proposal at the Supreme Court on Thursday 26th November. The lodgement of these proceedings did require payment of some legal fees and was only able to go ahead through the generosity of a few members covering the immediate costs. Thanks very much to those who supported us by making donations or pledging their support; it has made a world of difference and we would not have had the confidence to proceed without it.
We have been vindicated in our decision to proceed with this case, as Justice Bleby has today (2nd December) quashed the Minister’s decision and ordered it null and void, and therefore so is the Council decision to approve the land swap. However, we are concerned that the fight is not over yet (it will be given to another Labour Minister to review) and we do appeal to anyone who is able to help us financially to offer to do so. We are grateful for any donations no matter how small and are now actively promoting membership of the St Clair Reserve Ratepayers Association Inc with a $10.00 joining fee to help try to recoup monies already outlaid and help fund future action if this becomes necessary.
Ombudsman’s Inquiry AND Rally on the steps of Parliament House
When; Thursday 3rd Dec.
Rally Time; 5.00pm (arrive a little earlier if you are able)
Where: On the steps of Parliament House
David Winderlich MLC , independent member of the Upper House will move to have an Ombudsmans Inquiry into the St Clair land swap. David has been attending our rallies and both he and Mark Parnell MLC spoke to the gathering after the motion was passed for the land swap on Monday. It is pleasing to see a number of politicians supporting us. Mark Goldsworthy MP was there to represent Isobel Redmond, Leader of the Opposition; Michelle Lensink MLC was also there, as was retired Federal ALP member Rod Sawford who is supporting us and the opposition to the Cheltenham Racecourse development by the CPRA.
We have decided to rally on the steps of Parliament House at 5pm on December 3rd to highlight the appeal for an Ombudsmans Inquiry and to continue our calls for the government and the council to respect the wishes of the community and abandon this ridiculous land swap proposal, which is not equitable, necessary or in the best interests of the community (despite recent government and council spin to the contrary). We ask for your support. Please make every effort to come and join us and make our voice heard. We will begin our rally at 5pm to be visible to as many people as possible as they head home from work and further highlight the many concerns held by our community with the land swap. Wear green to repesent the green space we risk losing!!
Web site hacking
The Administrator of our web site has been subject to numerous hack attacks.
This is a matter of concern and has been reported to the Federal police.
Introductory Meeting of St Clair Reserve Ratepayers Association Inc.
Held: Monday 30th Nov
As promised an introductory meeting of the now incorporated association was held on Monday 30th; thanks very much to those who attended, we were very pleased with the excellent roll up at this meeting, which was held to update everyone on the legal action and to plan our way forward. Thanks very much for your support and the excellent ideas and suggestions made at the meeting. An official AGM will be held at a future time to be advised.
Everyone being able to help in some small way means that we will be able to continue the fight to save St Clair, but we do need YOU!
Looking forward to seeing you at Thursday’s (today’s) Rally on the steps of Parliament House!!!
Charles Sturt Ratepayers Inc. Committee
