Public meeting to discuss council inquiry

Louisa Rust

The Illawarra Community and Environment Connection (ICEC) is holding a public meeting next Monday to help members of the community prepare submissions to the public inquiry into Shellharbour City Council, announced by the Minister for Local Government Paul Lynch earlier this month.

The meeting will fall on the same day as the preliminary hearing of the public inquiry, to be held at Dapto Ribbonwood Centre.

“The aim of the meeting is to help the community become involved in the inquiry through written or oral submissions,” ICEC co-ordinator Sonya McKay said.

“The meeting will also discuss whether or not Shellharbour City Council should be sacked and how the inquiry may impact on the community.

“The Wollongong experience has shown that even with an administrator there needs to be continued genuine dialogue between the community and council.”

Ms McKay said issues such as community participation, environmental assessment and the public interest needed to be addressed, including the wellbeing of the community through “responsible progress and not just development”.

She named developments such as Killalea State Park, the Shell Cove marina and foreshore, Illawarra Business Park and airport expansion as in need of greater community consultation.

“While the inquiry is running Shellharbour Council should morally refrain from negotiating or deciding on significant and/or controversial developments,” Ms McKay said.

Those in attendance at the meeting will include former Wollongong councillor Alice Cartan and Greens MLC Sylvia Hale.

The meeting will be held next Monday, April 21, from 7pm at the Centenary Hall, Tongarra Rd, Albion Park.

The inquiry’s preliminary hearing will be held the same day, from 10am at Kurrajong Hall 2, Ribbonwood Centre, Princes Highway, Dapto.