YIPYIO

Hey Cardia,
No chance those tickets had QANTASLINK stamped all over them is there?

CARDIA

Several meetings back, we inadvertently left a mobile phone recorder in the chamber and managed to get a pretty significant insight into the functions of council especially when the doors get closed off!
After several complaints about council minutes not being true and proper records of the machinations of council, we have taken to reviewing the minutes against the transcripts and the difference is very often remarkable to say the least. It appears the minutes are vetted extensively by by the GM and sanitised to put council in the best possible light, and we can assure you that many items discussed are either turned around completely to reflect other outcomes contrary to what has been said and by whom or just blatant fabrications of what has or has not been said.
Before anyone accuses us of inappropriate behaviour, when there is the possibility of criminal enterprise or intent happening, then it can be appropriate to use whatever means possible to expose this type of behaviour.
Yesterday we again recorded a most disgusting session of council which was witnessed by many people. Speakers at public participation were gagged and ridiculed with senior council officers standing and voicing personal abuse and threats at members of the public gallery. Council was essentially run like a schoolroom with key personnel stifling or denying even the most basic of human rights including Freedom of Speech from the gallery and councilors. Questions from councilors concerning the airport and its operations were fielded and answers forthcoming were intentionally designed to mislead the council orwere just plain wrong.
The behaviour of this council was so disgusting that we are now having the record transcripted and it will be available to any person who requires it.
Anyone interested in seeing the most disgusting abuse of position imaginable, please pm me soon for a transcript of proceedings from last night.
Cardia

wylie_cyote

It might come as no surprise, but last nights meeting was also attended by a representative of a Government agency - I have no doubt they would not have been impressed with the whole farce so it will be interesting to see what eventuates?

Cardia; PM me a copy when available please!

Sunfish

If you want to control things always write the minutes of any meeting yourself.

'AEROWASP' HELICOPTERS

Cardia,

Check you PMs. I would appreciate a copy of the transcript when it is available too please.

ASKARI

Evidently at the other night's council meeting, the airport manager was asked two questions about Connie by a councilor.
First one was about the damage done to the runway with the airport manager claiming that the connie has done no damage to the runway but did qualify his statement by stating the NEW runway. (Good evasive tactics!) The second question was how much HARS pays in landing fees. Response was evidently that they pay the same rate as everyone else. For the Connie that is $420 per landing!
Not sure whether things have changed, but when HARS first moved to the airport they were given a 'special' rate of $450 per annum for landing fees so unless they volunteered to change the rate, I wonder what happened or is it possible that the manager has again mislead council?
For his sake, I certainly hope he hasn't as there are far too many eyes and ears hanging on their every word now!

Pitch and Break

TopGun was in the local rag this week and on local television (Win4) lastnight claiming that they will be recommencing ops from the Illawarra Regional Airport before Christmas. Claim they are having trouble getting a new machine (just how much damage was done to ATD in the Goulburn dingle?) however, council claims they are continuing operations using the dragonfly and yaks and that the drangonfly cannot be used out of Wollongong.
This is all well and good but why is the website down and why can't people get in touch with anyone on the phone? Only tried the website lastnight and still no joy?

doesn't look good

Well we have waited nearly two weeks for a reply from Wunwing or Feather #3 to the questions posed. We have received no answers. Woomera has the documents and I think the questions raised and the silence from those who claim to know the truth tells us all the answers. CASA needs to hang its head in shame and keep its fingers crossed. Perhaps it should also speak to the PM before he signs a cheque for $250k of public money.

ASKARI

The last month must certainly have been the greatest annus horibalus for Shellharbour Council.

So far this month they are the recipients of:
*An enquiry into the money spent at the airport on repairs,
*An enquiry into the inappropriate and allegedly fraudulent representation of the AVO legal system by a councillor to silence other councillors,
*An investigation into Code of Conduct breeches by Deputy Dog eminating from the last council meeting,
*An investigation into Code of Conduct breeches and abuse of the public by GM eminating from the last council meeting,
*Ten questions asked in State Parliament (answers in Nov) about the stacking of council committees, and
*The imminent release of the council transcripts which I believe will see the possible dismissal of one Councillor and at least one council officer for inappropriate behaviour and serious breeches of the Code of Conduct rules.
All in all, 13 complaints lodged, 4 investigations underway and the involvement of the Ombudsman, Department of Local Government AND ICAC yet again!
Also is rumoured that at least another 2 council staff have had a gutfull and are preparing to roll-over with some facts and hard evidence being made available through letter drops and other means......these issues may finally see their way into the legal system and certainly not before time either.

Final issue, council has been objecting to the release of certain documents about individuals in the community through FOI provisions......can anyone believe one of their reasons is that the people mentioned in the document may find them defamatory? Call me naive, but has something gone wrong with our society when a measly old council can get protection from such blatant attacks on its citizens?

Aquaboy

Surely the new Premier would have his minister’s fully deal with this situation as he needs all the brownie points that he can acquire due to the Labor Parties flailing popularity. They are only tight till the water starts to lap their heals while the boat sinks like the Titanic!

wylie_cyote

Doesn't Look Good,
You won't hear from Wunwing and Feather #3 anytime soon. Appears things have got a tad hot and they might be writing some cheques shortly to the Shellharbour Community for services rendered!

ASKARI

Can you believe it! After last council's meeting fiasco where the standin Mayor behaved like Attila the Hunn, council has decided to BAN ALL PUBLIC PARTICIPATION from hereonin.
In a nutshell, council intends to silence the public outright......all statements will have to be submitted to council by 12.00 on the day of any meeting when it will be distributed to councillors for consideration at that meeting. Questions will not be able to be asked of the author nor will they be able to speak on ANY matter!
This is an absolute travesty of basic human rights to speak and be heard and this council MUST be dismissed for their absolute disregard for their constituents!
This is a council in crisis unable to account for their actions and are now proposing the most dictatorial and disgusting methods to silence ANYONE who dares speak against them!
THE GLOVES ARE WELL AND TRULY OFF

COLLIE

Askari, This is a firmly entrenched labour council with them holding sway. I understand this proposal is to be put before council next wednesday evening and this meeting should be attended by anyone within cooee who is interested in seeing a dictatorship in full swing!
I understand that representations have been made (on this very matter) to various ministers of the crown to have this council turfed for their unconstitutional approach to their duties and responsibilities to their electorate. I also learned only today that certain State Parliament Labour Members (not elected to council)attend local caucus meetings held prior to EVERY council meeting employing a very strong voice on matters due to be considered by council - how then is it possible for the truly elected representatives of the community (including those councillors controlled by caucus) to have access to fair and transparent local government procedures and outcomes when the whole process is flawed and corrupted?
No wonder nobody has had any success through their local members of parliament and the respective Ministers when the whole sorry mess means dropping the can on their comrades?
It has been said time and time again; but this council must be subject to an immediate administrative review with serious consideration initiated toward administration!
The Ringmaster has lost control and the clowns are running the circus.........it can only end in tears! (Let's just pray that nobody let's the lions escape!)

PROPSWINGA

Sources are confirming that the wait might not be too long now. After the last meeting, the GM is in serious trouble for abusing and threatening a member of the gallery with an un-called-for assault on the public. He threatened her with legal action if she could not substantiate her claims which she didn't make in the first place. As to the Airport, those issues are now before a DLG review phase with serious outcomes expected for the council and its senior officers. On yet another issue concerning the airport, recently received FOI documentation confirms that senior council officers have lied and mislead council on several very serious issues and these matters are again before ICAC, DLG and the Minister responsible whilst more information is coming to light almost daily about sweetheart deals and questionable business dealings between council officers and local businesses concerning the Illawarra Regional Airport.
Stay tuned as the fat lady hasn't sung yet!

CARDIA

To all ppruners who have asked for transcripts, please check your PM's. They will be ready later this week and will be dispatched to all interested parties.

the end

In the next few months the final stages of the Shellcove development will be put to council and approved. All debate and examination by the public of what is going on will be stopped. Prepare for a Xmas approval with nobody about. Prepare for more delegated authority. From day one the council has known about the toxic nature of the waste at the old tip that is to be dug up. The cost of proper removal, treatment and disposal would make the development impossible. The intent is to dig out as little as possible move it in open trucks and dump it in another hole without proper treatment. The cost of proper treatment has been estimated to be $20 million. If you want to bring this council down look in this direction and bring in the EPA and other agencies. FOI documents talk to the Sydney press. This final stage of the Shellcove development is the big pay day for many people if it does not happen then there with be big trouble for some people. The right faction is seriously out of control and getting desperate. Be careful this is big.

PROPSWINGA

Seems there was an investigation some time ago concerning ownership and operation of the restaraunt known as the Eastgate and formerly Eagles at the Airport. It has always been alleged that this facilitiy was owned/operated by a local businessman in association with the airport manager. Evidence has now become available that clearly confirms the relationship and business deals that were in place at the time and it is now alleged that certain punters have lied to ICAC and other investigative agencies.
This relationship goes far deeper than is comfortable for this council and the community as the partner is the same owner of the organisation that was awarded the $M airport upgrade that did not go out to tender and was handed over on a silver platter!

CARDIA

To all those who attended this months council meeting, take comfort in the knowledge that at least 3 councillors from the labour camp were extremely uncomfortable with the decision to vote for the cessation of public participation in council meetings. They were only doing as they were directed by our illustrious Larry.
As for the cooling off period for public participation; the leader of the pack has privately informed all senior managers that public participation in the flesh will never be allowed again. He feels quite comfortable that during the next 3 months he will convince council that speakers at council meetings are an unnecessary evil and that paper submissions are the way to go. He will wheel out his usual report to the council claiming that this practice is fairer for all and will be backed to the hilt by Larry and his band of merry men (who will do as they are told naturally).
Whoever said Labour was all about the people certainly never had this council in mind when they made that statement!

doesn't look good

For many months now the pages of pprune have documented the incompetence of SCC and the stupidity of what is going on at Albion Park airport. The unwillingness of SCC to put in place a proper planning process for the airport and the problems this is leading to for the users. Some of what has been uncovered was always known by the council and these problems have been the reason that a proper process has not and cannot be put in place.
The first problem uncovered was the encouragement of HARS to relocate to YWOL without any reference in the DA or any other document of the limited category aircraft status of the HARS planes and the restriction that flowed. This in effect means that YWOL was unsuitable for the relocation of HARS because of the built up areas surrounding the airfield. It is not clear if CASA was always aware of the problems or have just been forced into turning a blind eye and damage control to cover up past incompetence and improper approvals from their officers. This then moved on to the runway upgrade mess after it was published that the runway was literally crumbling under the weight of the HARS planes. Now the latest; the aviation cluster. Again no discussions about limitations at the planning stage just a “this is a great idea” and “the government is giving us money”. In fact no proper discussion or planning. Now the problem;

It has been suggested that YWOL is unsuitable for some of the businesses being encouraged to come to YWOL. It has been suggested that the air safety regulations state that planes that have been rebuilt (the HARS planes) and other new aircraft should not be allowed to conduct initial flight testing out of YWOL because of the proximity of the houses around the airfield. This is again very important as it has recently been announced that the government, one would have thought with CASA approval, has allocated $250k to HARS for the refurbishment of historic aircraft at YWOL and other aircraft builders have moved or are moving into YWOL after the aviation cluster donation. It would be very embaressing for the PM if it came to pass that public money had been donated for an activity that would breach air safety regulations.

Can anybody confirm that there is such a regulation?

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. WE WANT NO MORE VICTIMS OF SCC.

COLLIE

Cardia, I heard today that your observation about labour councillors is indeed correct. Sources confirm that some councillors have had enough of being dictated to and intend a rebellion against both their elected and non-elected bosses and I say; GO FOR IT!
Must be hard to keep up the pretences of representing your constituents when all you are doing is being manipulated like the proverbial puppet-on-a-string; there is at least one balding councillor in there that still has the string attachment points clearly visible!
DLG, You too have some valid points worthy of consideration especially where public safety is concerned. Some people are already asking rather pointed questions about how one operator at the airport is intending to test fly his product without breaching safety regulations!
Propswinga, Glad to see that issue comes up again....the investigations were incomplete but I understand there is now new information available thanks to some staffers? Any news on that front?
The End; Touche! You have hit the nail on the head! It is one of the worst kept secrets in council that the timing of the cessation of public participation is so that some very sensitive items can pass through council with as few questions as possible.
These items have also been timed to be passed during the relatively quiet xmas period when most public interest is elsewhere. If nothing else, you have to give this council top marks for their ability to manipulate the system to serve their own needs!
Finally, I have heard there is a petition doing the rounds seeking community support for a vote of no confidence in both Larry and Curley - any reader is encouraged to sign it, and in true Labour Party form, if you have a few relos that have passed on; stick their name on it too!