Bungendore Community Action Group

Newsletter, September 2002

Since the last newsletter your Community Action Group has continued to work behind the scenes in raising issues and concerns about the development with the Yarrowlumla Shire Council (Council).  

The problem we now face is that, quite simply, Council are really not interested in public opinion and this is evidenced by the flat out development currently being undertaken. 

Unfortunately without a concerted effort by the whole village, this development will proceed along the lines that have been proposed by the developer, together with any last minute changes that they may see fit.

What will it take for Council to listen to us, the residents of Bungendore?  Residents who, incidentally, elect our councillors to implement our wishes.

So far this year, in response to many concerns regarding the Bungendore north development, there have been two community meetings, possibly the largest in Bungendore’s history.  These meetings have articulated several key outcomes that we requested the Council implement.

Further to these meetings was a petition containing over 300 signatures specifically against a crossing through the Common.  This was also the overwhelming opinion of Bungendore residents in 1993 when the initial concept plan was introduced. 

Clearly, residents want the development to maintain the village environment that is the motivation for many of us to live here.

Clearly, residents do not want the Common to be bisected by a road.  Rather than be a wedge between the two, an intact Common will provide a meeting place for every resident, a safe haven for our children to play, and an important recreation area for all citizens.  A road would destroy this amenity.

Clearly, residents want the development to provide access for horse riding, cycling and walking.  After all, this is what defines a village and a people friendly environment that is not dominated by the motor vehicle.

And Clearly, you want a Council that is transparent in its dealings, that communicates openly and that is a servant of the people. 

The community meetings endorsed Council’s suggestion that they select a representative group of residents to act as a ‘focus’ group and represent the village views to Council on development and proposed development issues.

This line of communication has been stifled by Council’s inaction while the development continues to proceed unabated.

We recently wrote to Council asking, among other things, who comprise the focus group, when the meetings took place and where the minutes are posted.  We are waiting on a response.

Some of our Group also met Mr David Rouse, Director, Environment and Planning.  Several issues were addressed during this meeting including the Elmslea water situation.

Mr Rouse advised that sufficient quality water has now been found for the development.  At a recent meeting of Council it was agreed that the quantity of this newly found water would be ‘proofed’ by pumping the water flat out for 48 hours to see if the level dropped.  Council would then seek a licence from the State Government to start full-scale extraction of this water.

The written information we have available differs widely from that which Mr Rouse has put forward.  With this in mind, a request was made to Council for supporting documentation as to the changed water circumstances. 

The Council’s response stated, in part that,

“..the ownership of the report prepared by Hydroilex (drilling contractors) does not belong to Yarrowlumla Shire Council and as such” (Council) is “not in a position to copy and release the report to yourself.  In accordance with the requirement of legislation, this report was tabled as part of a report on the 23 July 2002 and members of the gallery and public were entitled to review the Hydroilex report at the conclusion of the meeting or the day following.  This is a working document to assist council in making it’s decision on the matter before it.”

All we are seeking is evidence to support the claims made by Council that there is sufficient water for the development, and that, by sufficient water we mean: no reduction in supply and quality to the existing village.  The development supposedly hinges on there being sufficient water of a suitable quality and quantity.  It is not unreasonable to request documentary evidence that this is the case.

Section 94 funds

The community has been repeatedly told of a ‘pot of gold’ in the form of Section 94 funds which will be spent on community facilities and will be evidence of the tangible benefits from such a major development. 

We have requested information as to the amount per block Bungendore will receive from these Section 94 funds.  In response, we were given a table without supporting notes and we were left to try and interpret this information.  We do not want to interpret.  We want answers to simple questions.  We have asked for clarification and we will in turn, advise residents.

But let’s be clear, most real estate development is about making money, not about bringing advantage to the established community.

Those involved in the development have constantly spoken of the concessions we need to make, such as sacrificing the Common for a road link to make that long drive into Bungendore a millisecond quicker.  But at no stage has the request for concessions been made on the part of the new development.  There is no real attempt at trying to amalgamate the new with the old.  Just the old with the new.

Why shouldn’t there be swales (grass verges) in the new development (instead of urban kerb and guttering) and compulsory (garden) rainwater tanks?  This would slow the flow of run off into the open drains and into Turallo Creek and finally into the closed catchment of Australia’s largest inland fresh water expanse, Lake George.

Reducing pollutants, saving water and reducing the effect of flooding.  All good sensible ideas.

And if people really want the convenience of city living, Canberra is only 30 minutes away and Queanbeyan a mere 15.

Further action is now up to you, the concerned residents of Bungendore.  The Council cannot ignore People Power.

Make your concerns known by writing a letter explaining your opposition to:

§         a road through the Common;

§         the lack of any action to maintain and enhance the village environment;

§         the obvious lack of consultation and transparency exhibited by the Council.

Don’t sit back and wait for your neighbour to do something.  The success of a campaign to give Bungendore residents control over their future rests with each of us. 

Please write or email the people listed below, copying in the Council rather than writing to the Council direct as our experience has shown, issues of concern seem to fall on deaf ears.

There is a sample letter on our web page (address at the bottom of page).  Alternatively, if you do not have internet access, you can contact Graham on 62380073 and one will be posted.

We welcome writers copying our Group on your correspondence also.  Postal/email addresses detailed at the bottom of the page.

Bungendore is our village and we have a right to determine its future and the future of its people.  And then,…maybe, in 10 years time, you can look back and say “I made a difference”.

Addressees

Mr Peter Webb (Member for Monaro, National Party State Member)
PO Box 716, Queanbeyan NSW 2620
Phone: (02) 6299 4899 Fax: (02) 6297 9998

Email: monaro@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Mr Gary Nairn (Member for Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party Federal Member)
PO Box 232, Queanbeyan NSW 2620
Ph: 02 6297 3952 - Fax: 02 6297 5768

Email: G.Nairn.MP@aph.gov.au

Mr Steve Whan
(President of the ALP Eden-Monaro Federal Electorate council and was the Labor candidate at the last Federal election)
PO Box 490, Queanbeyan NSW 2620
Phone:   0418 469932
Email:  stevewhan@bigpond.com