The citizens just don't understandBy BARRY BRANNANIt must be difficult being in government. You try to do good things but the citizens just don't understand you. At a forum organised by the Sullivans Cove Citizens Association we heard from DPIWE's Jeff Gilmore on the Government's proposal for a Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority. We heard how it was responding to community concern. How the community was involved in the process. How much better it will be than the current system. It was clear that Jeff Gilmore's intention was to "educate the citizens" about the proposal. He clearly doesn't believe that citizens have the intelligence to question it. Any questions we have are just due to misunderstandings. Despite this, he did start off by telling us that we were a select group of knowledgeable people. He told us that the average person though doesn't want to be involved in the whole process; they just want solutions presented. Mr Gilmore told us that the Premier, acting as the responsible Minister, would appoint a "board of experts" who would oversee development plans. They would advise the public. The public will be happy because they will have input on the "look and feel" aspect of developments. No more Zero Davey disasters. The Government has deliberately chosen not to have a representative board. It seems the Government aren't happy with leaving such an important task in the hands of elected representatives because they won't get the job done. After all, if we don't act quickly and decisively, the developers might leave, and then where would we be? "Strategic opportunity too important to miss" said one of Mr Gilmore's slides. Certainly is strategic... Premier Lennon will take credit for "progress" and private developers will take home their profits. Let's have a Waterfront Authority, but make it a body that is representative of the community. Not a fast track for Paul Lennon and his developer mates.
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RAPID RESPONSE EMAIL: What do you think? Tuesday, November 2, 2004 |