ITS TIME FOR THE PREMIER TO TALK TO US
Kate Mackaness 24 July 2012
The disappointment of CAWB members was clearly obvious after this week's meeting of the Windsor Business Group.
It was a meeting that promised so much. Local business owners and CAWB members: Dail Miller (Chair), Pete Reynolds, Rod Storie and Graham Edds arrived, full of optimism and well prepared with research, new information and recommendations to support businesses in Windsor through better town planning and a more constructive approach to bridging the Hawkesbury.
They were hopeful that this would be the start of a really constructive, positive conversation with the Government.
Windsor Business Group had invited the Premier, Barry O'Farrell to the meeting.
Monday 23rd July: CAWB Chair, Dail Miller addresses Windsor Business Group about alternatives to the Government's current , destructive plans for Thompson Square.
Unfortunately, whilst he has been able to find time for a photo opportunity to celebrate the demolition of some of the Hawkesbury's other, less controversial, timber bridges, he wasn't able to come and talk with us about the looming tragedy of Thompson Square.
Instead, a local MP trotted out ancient history about the processes to date and a couple of local supporters repeated their well-known rhetoric.
None of which was surprising.
What was surprising, and of deep concern, was the final speech, made by a senior Roads and Maritime Services bureaucrat.
Mike Vesey, Director, Network Services, delivered a blunt message: the RMS were getting on with building Option One. That was what the Government's instructions were. The RMS were following instructions.
Despite previous clear assurances from the RMS (Nathan Chehoud, Iain Macleod and Roy Surace) that when the EIS was released the public could raise objections, have issues addressed and that if issues could not be adequately addressed, the Minister would not approve the project, Mr Vesey said the RMS will be proceeding with the preferred option because that is what the Government had announced.
We wonder what procedures would be followed if this Government ever decided to build a nuclear power plant…
It is very clear the NSW Government is determined to bulldoze through a project that arguably has no economic merit, makes no contribution to current traffic problems in the area and which will forever destroy the oldest public Square in Australia. This determination seems to be based on a 'we said we'd deliver a bridge, so we will deliver a bridge' mindset, rather than any strategic, visionary commitment to the Hawkesbury Region.
This just makes us even more determined to save the Square.
So, Premier, not only did you fail to turn up at the Windsor Business Group meeting. To date, you have ignored our requests for a meeting.
We need to talk. How about it? We can come to your offices in Governor Macquarie Towers (the irony of the name is not lost on us) if Windsor is too far away for another visit.
Anytime. Your call.
Kate Mackaness 24 July 2012
The disappointment of CAWB members was clearly obvious after this week's meeting of the Windsor Business Group.
It was a meeting that promised so much. Local business owners and CAWB members: Dail Miller (Chair), Pete Reynolds, Rod Storie and Graham Edds arrived, full of optimism and well prepared with research, new information and recommendations to support businesses in Windsor through better town planning and a more constructive approach to bridging the Hawkesbury.
They were hopeful that this would be the start of a really constructive, positive conversation with the Government.
Windsor Business Group had invited the Premier, Barry O'Farrell to the meeting.
Monday 23rd July: CAWB Chair, Dail Miller addresses Windsor Business Group about alternatives to the Government's current , destructive plans for Thompson Square.
Unfortunately, whilst he has been able to find time for a photo opportunity to celebrate the demolition of some of the Hawkesbury's other, less controversial, timber bridges, he wasn't able to come and talk with us about the looming tragedy of Thompson Square.
Instead, a local MP trotted out ancient history about the processes to date and a couple of local supporters repeated their well-known rhetoric.
None of which was surprising.
What was surprising, and of deep concern, was the final speech, made by a senior Roads and Maritime Services bureaucrat.
Mike Vesey, Director, Network Services, delivered a blunt message: the RMS were getting on with building Option One. That was what the Government's instructions were. The RMS were following instructions.
Despite previous clear assurances from the RMS (Nathan Chehoud, Iain Macleod and Roy Surace) that when the EIS was released the public could raise objections, have issues addressed and that if issues could not be adequately addressed, the Minister would not approve the project, Mr Vesey said the RMS will be proceeding with the preferred option because that is what the Government had announced.
We wonder what procedures would be followed if this Government ever decided to build a nuclear power plant…
It is very clear the NSW Government is determined to bulldoze through a project that arguably has no economic merit, makes no contribution to current traffic problems in the area and which will forever destroy the oldest public Square in Australia. This determination seems to be based on a 'we said we'd deliver a bridge, so we will deliver a bridge' mindset, rather than any strategic, visionary commitment to the Hawkesbury Region.
This just makes us even more determined to save the Square.
So, Premier, not only did you fail to turn up at the Windsor Business Group meeting. To date, you have ignored our requests for a meeting.
We need to talk. How about it? We can come to your offices in Governor Macquarie Towers (the irony of the name is not lost on us) if Windsor is too far away for another visit.
Anytime. Your call.