(councillor column for the May 16 edition of the Bungendore Bulletin)
So Palerang is now a nuclear-free zone. Very exciting, and a positive, albeit small step towards peace and a nuclear-free future. Thanks to those councillors who spoke so strongly in favour of the motion, which appeared in the last Bulletin.

Warning: the following contains material that may be considered political. (more…)

At its May 10 meeting, Palerang Council joined a growing number of Councils which have declared themselves to be nuclear-free zones. The motion, put by Greens councillor Catherine Moore, stated:

that Palerang Council:
1. declares Palerang a nuclear-free zone, in that we oppose the establishment of any industry or activity involving the treatment or processing of any such mineral or nuclear material; or the transportation of any nuclear materials or weapons through the Council boundaries, with the exception of radioactive isotopes or other radioactive material used in medical treatment, testing equipment or research; and
2. resolves to erect “Nuclear Free Zone” signs at suitable entry points to the LGA as soon as possible.
The motion, which was supported by all but two of the councillors present, was Catherine’s second attempt. (more…)

(published in three parts in the Feb. 21 edition of the Bungendore Mirror)

Your last edition (Feb. 14) devoted a lot of space to ALP and Coalition comments on election issues, so I hope you will have room for some responses from The Greens.  (more…)

1. Cr Moore said she also had it on her list to ask some questions about the Googong Dam and Defence Headquarters land tonight, and went on to say that, given that some questions had already been asked she wouldn’t repeat them. Cr Moore then said that as it was important to try to ensure that we were receiving all sources of revenue that we were entitled to, she was glad to hear the mayor stating last night that he would follow up on the Googong Dam rates issue, given that the ACTEW/AGL merger happened in 2000. Cr Moore then asked the GM if he could tell us whereabouts the ex gratia payments made by the Sydney Catchment Authority appear as income. (more…)

1. Cr Moore said she was concerned at the reaction last meeting when she raised the Code of Conduct. She was sorry that it caused so many defensive reactions around the table, as if she had personally attacked people’s honour, whereas what she thought she was doing was alerting Council to a fact that it may not have been aware of, because she certainly had forgotten, until it was pointed out to her, which was that we were in fact possibly in contravention of the Code of Conduct by not considering all available information. She said that she would have thought the normal reaction would have been for us at least to take that idea on board and consider that we might have been, if not acknowledge that we were. (more…)