Eighteen-year-old Agata Nabaglo described the Regional Community Strategic Plans for Goulburn Mulwaree’s sustainability as ‘‘bad risk management’’.
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In a speech to Goulburn councillors on Tuesday night, Ms Nabaglo, a former resident who has only recently moved to Canberra, voiced her disappointment and future concerns.
“The plan that you have presented is simply not ambitious enough,” she said. “This plan doesn’t sufficiently address climate change. I cannot easily see a future for myself or for my children here.”
Councillors Denzil Sturgiss and Margaret O’Neil were the only two who responded to the claims surrounding the reports lack of ambition.
“I am insulted by the way you spoke [and] the way you spoke to the council,” Cr O’Neil said. “I didn't ring you back, I don’t insult someone who doesn’t ring me back.”
Cr Sturgiss questioned the changes Ms Nabaglo believed the council could achieve out of the recommendations outlined.
Local organisations who participated included The Goulburn Group Inc (TGG), FROGS Landcare Inc, Goulburn Heritage Group, Community Energy For Goulburn Inc (CE4G) , Australian Wind Alliance and the Goulburn Field Naturalists.
Ms Nabaglo said she was glad to get the opportunity to voice her concerns. “I think the main problem is that Goulburn is a city frozen in time,” she said. “Progress and change is not something to be afraid of.”
Staff from the Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Upper Lachlan and the Yass Valley Council contributed to the amendments. The overall submissions have been planned for referral to the Operational and Delivery Plans.
President of the TGG, Mhairi Fraser, who attended the council meeting said the behaviour of some councillors that night was ‘unworthy of their position and the community they serve’.
“If we want our young people to engage and give their input then we need to listen to their concerns rather than get defensive and angry when they challenge our ‘well meaning’ efforts,” she said.
Sporting field safety prioritised
Up to $120,000 has been taken from the Victoria Park Irrigation and the Veolia Arena budget to fund lighting repairs for the Car Confoy Sporting Field.
Council investigations have revealed the 29-year-old lighting system have started to fail. Over 50 per cent will require immediate repairs.
Councillor Leah Ferrara initially seconded the decision, alongside Cr O’Neil, with the condition that LED lights will be used. But later retracted her stance when she was not supported.
Council findings revealed an extra $109,030 would need to be spent to repair the failed lights using LED.
Councillor Andrew Banfield recognised the importance of sustainable practices, and Cr Ferrara’s concern, but drew attention to the shift of money between council budgets.
“I think there’s an urgency to get these lights done on a safety measure,” Cr Banfield said.
“I would love to see LED lights. I know for the big picture we do have plans for the precinct, but we need to draw a line in the budget.”
He suggested that funding could be resourced from other areas to compensate the irrigation project. There will now be $80,000 allocated to Victoria Park, reducing the scale of project.
Rural Waste Card replacement changes
The council passed changes associated to the replacement fee for the Rural Waste Card on Tuesday night.
Now, residents who lose their waste card will pay a replacement fee based on the time the card was lost. Before, residents would pay a fee for the lost card irrespective of the time of year.
Fourteen responses were submitted to council as part of the public exhibition.
The Rural Waste Card lifespan is measured at the start, and end, of the financial year.
Rural ratepayers are allowed 53 trips per year as well as one larger disposal.