Cathy avoiding issue
The Alpine Branch of the ALP would like to thank those who gave up their weekends and public holidays over Easter and Anzac Day. The rest of us could shop, go out with our family and friends, fill up the car for an afternoon drive, sample some of our area's great wineries, and generally do a lot of fun things we wouldn't have been able to do if no one else was working.
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It also meant our hospitals were open, the police were on call, and emergency services and local factories kept operating.
Our young people had the opportunity to earn money and gain skills.
For all these reasons, our branch is concerned about the current threat to penalty rates. We see it as the 'thin edge of the wedge' – if penalty rates are reduced (without compensation) for some workers, then this puts all of those who rely on penalty rates in a weaker bargaining position. Even more concerning for branch members is the lack of consultation on this issue by our local member, Cathy McGowan.
There is no mention of the issue in her electoral communications, she has failed to respond in a timely fashion to correspondence on the issue, and her consultation so far consists of talking with union and business representatives. Ms McGowan has repeatedly said she would consult with the community on important issues, but appears to be avoiding this one. This is particularly disappointing as most people who voted for her voted Labor second.
Frank Kusch, President Alpine Branch ALP
On dangerous ground
Is it OK for Albury Council to approve development on flood prone land ? Is it OK for council to ignore their own development control plans ? Who pays for damage to flooded homes when this occurs? Is it OK to have only 3 per cent green space in a development?
Is it OK to remove all the trees when developments are approved? I don’t think so.
People do need somewhere to live, and development of land around Albury is going to happen, but it does not need to be under these terms. Development needs to be done in a sustainable manner respecting the environment, and creating a healthy environment for the people who will live there.
I am writing to express my great concern that councillors are still considering the development application for Thurgoona Park North, including the southern portion of the development that is a floodway of the Woolshed and Eight Mile Creeks. This land has been identified as below the 1-in-100 year flood level.
It is of great concern that they are still considering allowing development on this land. This goes against stated Development Control Plans for Albury. It is also unacceptable for every tree to be removed from this area as planned. This will change the nature of what development is supposed to look like in Thurgoona.
The decision on this will be made at an extraordinary meeting of council on May 8. Hopefully more of our councillors have a vision for the future, that does not allow such short-sighted destructive developments.
Sally Hendy, Thurgoona
Credit where it’s due
Bouquets to Westpac’s board for last week’s decision to rule out a loan to Adani for their proposed mega mine in Queensland. It took letters, protests and divestments but they finally saw the light.
Westpac joins numerous financial institutions in seeing the proposed Adani Carmichael mine for what it is – a social, environmental and financial disaster for Australia and the world.
Locally we thank Albury and Wodonga Westpac branch managers, Paul Gow and Steve Carter, for their respect during meetings with us. Mr Gow acted as a valuable conduit to Westpac’s head office, interacted graciously with peaceful protesters outside his branch and maintained open communication at all times. We thank you.
