Mixed response to Wodonga Council's new Wodonga Hills Advisory Group

Protect Wodonga Hills members said the omission of key stakeholders from the Wodonga Hills Advisory Group showed the process was flawed while Albury Wodonga Mountain Bikers welcomed the appointments. 

Wodonga Council appointed five community members to the advisory group for two years with a motion passed at Monday’s council meeting.

It will be chaired by Border engineer and scientist Colin Elliott, who would be joined by Lucy Widdup, Isuru Gamage, Joy Sloan and Adam Dyde, representing the environmental science, education, research, community engagement, accountancy and volunteering sectors.

A Protect Wodonga Hills spokeswoman said on Wednesday the council had set up the group to fail.

“It has already fundamentally failed to connect with the people, and connect the groups that are passionate about the hills; bringing the main stakeholders together should have been the first aim of Wodonga Hills Advisory Group,” she said.

“Hiding behind the façade of a skills-based process is an insult to the highly-qualified members of interest groups that have been excluded.”

Albury Wodonga Mountain Bikers president Michael Ross welcomed the appointment of the panel.

“Albury Wodonga Mountain Bikers look forward to the implementation of the hills strategy,” he said. 

Dan Humpage, a spokesman for Save Hunchback Hill, said he’d reserve judgement until Parklands Albury Wodonga completed an audit of mountain bike tracks.

“I’m hoping there’s a positive outcome from the people they’ve appointed to the advisory group,” he said.

The council said CFA, Department of Water Environment, Land and Planning and the Aboriginal community would have input.

Cr Kat Bennett said the council looked forward to working with the committee to implement the hills strategy.

“We’re extremely fortunate to be surrounded by this scenic ring of hills that provide a range of environmental, cultural and recreational benefits,” she said.

“In developing the strategy we heard from many different people, from horse riders to walkers, to parents and young people.

“With this committee, we look forward to taking the strategy forward, to prioritise what’s important in the actions set out in the strategy and how we protect, enhance and manage one of our city’s greatest assets.”

​Wodonga Council called for nominations earlier this year for the advisory group.

The group will meet for the first time in July.