Save Bidjigal Reserve

Michelle Cavanagh has had a letter to the editor published in the Hills Shire Times of 8 September 2009.

We have received this correspondence from David Wilmshurst, the Chairman of the Bidjigal Reserve Trust Board:

Dear Neighbours,

It was good to see the support for Bidjigal Reserve at the conciliation meeting last night.

Given the passion expressed last night, I take it that the support will continue past the time of this issue.

Volunteers are needed for many tasks. Examples are: Bushcare, Flora and Fauna Monitor, Publicist, Guide, Historian, Clerical Assistant, Neighbourhood Contact Person, Corporate Friend, Webmaster, Advocate and specialist technical roles such as structural engineer, arborist, legal advisor, project manager volunteer coordinator etc.

Registered volunteers are well covered in terms of personal injury and public liability insurance by the State Government scheme.

Those interested in applying for volunteer positions for the Reserve should email their offers to the Secretary, at .

Many of us were not even aware that the Trust Board wants our help as volunteers. This is a very important first step in opening up communications, and we strongly urge you to volunteer in any way you can.

Those of you who have long been involved in Council’s bushcare groups may feel some ambivalence over this. It is a shame that politicking has gotten in the way of what is best for the Reserve. I do know that at least one regular member of Council’s programme has enquired about the Trust Board’s bushcare programme and was very pleased with the response. She is now going to receive advice and assistance in managing the weeds behind her house. The two programmes aren’t necessarily incompatible.

The Nature Conservation Council of NSW has written to The Hills Shire Council to express its “significant concerns” at the proposed Go Ape development in Bidjigal Reserve. The letter can be seen here.

The NCC is also urging people to attend the Conciliation Conference on Monday, 7 September.

Thank you very much to those who have already volunteered to drop flyers in letterboxes. Someone will be in touch with you soon, as we hope to have a big push before the Conciliation Conference.

However, we are in need of people who are willing to collect more signatures on the petition. If you feel you have a reasonable grasp of what the proposal is about and can spare a couple of hours, please let Michael know via our contact page.

If you are not confident about collecting petition signatures, more volunteers for the letterbox drops are always needed! We are anxious to cover as wide an area as possible by the end of next weekend.

If you can’t do the walking but are a signwriter, or an environmental lawyer, or something similarly useful, please do let us know!

Please attend the Go Ape Conciliation Conference:

Monday, 7 September 2009 at 7.00 pm

Function Room (turn right after you go in the main entrance)
The Hills Shire Council Chambers
129 Showground Road
Castle Hill NSW 2154
(entrance via Carrington Road)
[Google maps] [Whereis] [stree-directory.com.au]

The object of the Conciliation Conference is “to create a forum for both the applicant and the residents to discuss this proposal”. In addition to residents and the applicant (and possibly some of his experts), (some) Councillors and Council planning officers attend. Those who sent in a submission have received this invitation and copy of the Conciliation Conference Procedures.

They do ask that you confirm your attendance at the meeting by telephoning Irene Peh at Council on 9843 0175. However, this is an open meeting, so come along even if you haven’t confirmed.

Numbers are important, so please attend if at all possible. Bring your neighbours too! Also phone each of the Councillors to ask if they will be attending. Contact details are on the Action page.

http://hills-shire-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/bush-plan-talks/

(page 3 in the print version).