Prosser hits back

This is a personal slur that I will not forget& Prosser

By Mairi Manley

Doug Prosser with Beth Evans

LAKE ILLAWARRA Authoritys Chairman, Doug Prosser has hit back this week at claims by Lord Mayor of Wollongong, Alex Darling that the LIA has not been open about its budget blow-out for the dredging of lake Illawarra.

The words used by Cr Darling have the strong suggestion of corruption, which I deeply resent, Mr Prosser said.

This is a personal slur that I shall not forget.

Mr Prosser said since his appointment 16 years ago, he had never refused an invitation o address community groups.

According to regulations, Wollongong and Shellharbour councils must have representatives on the LIA, he claims.

Mr Prosser said Wollongong Councils representative was deputy mayor, Kiril Jonovski, supported by technical advisor, Tony Miskiewicz.

The LIA has appointed a community liaison group (CLG) that has met monthly for the duration of the contract with a cost of about $100,000 for independent environmental observers, an independent chairman, hiring of meeting venue and the cost of a committee, Mr Prosser said.

A toll free 1800 number operates also.

Before entrance works were commenced an Environmental Impact Statement was on public exhibition for four weeks and an open day held on the site according to Mr Prosser.

Minutes of the Authority meetings and the entrance CLG meetings are sent to Council to be placed on public record, he said.

When the lake management plan was launched in early September this year, four public meetings were held.

Mr Prosser said no LIA members made money from government regulated meeting fees.

Least of all the chairman who travels about 3,000km a year, operates a fax machine and phone and works about 400 plus hours a year, he said.

LIA members have high integrity and bring many skills to the Authority, which is why the government appointed them.