March 26 meeting
There was a Notice of Motion proposed by Dheera Smith and one by myself. Mick had 3 Questions with Notice and were included in the agenda.
1) Dheera Smith’s Notice of Motion
•That Council send a letter of concern to MCi Carbon and its current investors (Orica, ITOCHU Corporation, RHI Magnesita, Mizuho Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui bank) raising our concerns over the potential impacts of their mining activity in the Manning River catchment which is a major source of drinking water for the communities in the area, as well as agricultural animals and crops.
•That Council also writes to the Ministers for Mining and Agriculture in NSW raising our concerns about the potential adverse impacts of the mining operations on our local drinking and agricultural water.
•That Council, in a separate email request that MCi meet with Councillors and brief them regarding the drone survey findings and intended next steps.
Dheera was coerced into accepting the amendment below.
(Moved Cr D Smith/Seconded Cr A Tickle)
•That Council send a letter of concern to MCi Carbon raising community concerns over the potential impacts of their exploration and drilling activity in the Manning River catchment which is a major source of drinking water for the communities in the area, as well as use for agriculture.
•The letter to MCi encourages them to consult by meeting with the Mt George community where outcomes, understandings and agreement from meetings are thoroughly documented to enhance community understanding and transparency.
FOR VOTE – Cr P Beazley, Cr M McKenzie, Cr J Miller, Cr T O’Keefe, Cr C Pontin, Cr D Smith, Cr A Tickle, Cr N Turnbull, Cr D Wilson.
AGAINST VOTE – Cr M Graham.
ABSENT, DID NOT VOTE – Cr P Howard.
2) My Notice of Motion was added to on the floor and was
(Moved Cr P Beazley/Seconded Cr M Graham)
The General Manager provide a detailed Report to Council pertaining to Land and Environment Court matters : Decourte v MCC (Case No. 2024/00012848) and MCC v Gazecki (Case No.00061055) which would address the following:
1. Council’s position with regard to this matter?
2. Council’s Costs to Date (including internal staff time)?
3. Reasons why the matter has not been resolved?
4. How Council has exercised its discretion in pursuing this matter?
5. Explain the public interest in Council pursuing this matter to such an extent against one family regarding a rural dam, when it appears that Council has not acted similarly with other landholders.
6. That the General Manager reports back to Council one week before the next scheduled Council Meeting.
7. That the report would include a history of the interactions between Council and Mr Gazecki and Ms Decourte.
FOR VOTE – Cr P Beazley, Cr M Graham, Cr M McKenzie.
AGAINST VOTE – Cr J Miller, Cr T O’Keefe, Cr C Pontin, Cr A Tickle, Cr N Turnbull, Cr D Wilson.
ABSENT, DID NOT VOTE – Cr P Howard, Cr D Smith.
The motion was lost.
3) Mick’s questions were
QUESTION 1
MidCoast Councils Committee Guidelines-( v12 Sep24) state: Any changes to the general community representatives, or the broad membership noted in the Terms of Reference, to a Reference Group would require a resolution of Council and a public nomination process’. Can the General Manager please advise under what powers or authority was Koalas in Care removed from Council’s Koala Reference Group?
QUESTION 2
What is the specific scientific evidence that underpins the Climate Change Strategy at MidCoast Council?
QUESTION 3
Why are some ratepayers being charged for a garbage collection when they are not getting a garbage service?