what is wrong with options 1 and 2
Further Reasons Why These Proposals Are Unjust:
LACK OF DEMOCRACY:
The Council was sacked by the NSW State Government on 27th February 2008 and an Administrator was appointed by them. Unfortunately, we now have no elected representatives in the Council to whom concerned citizens can express their views and lobby for a change to this unjust plan. The only people we can speak to are the very bureaucrats employed within Local and State Government. In a democracy, surely decisions that have such a massive impact on people’s lives should be outside the jurisdiction of any one person (the Administrator). His role should be to manage the general day to day business of running the Council. There is not another democratic country in the world where a Government kicks people out of their homes, charges them to demolish their homes and forces them to walk away with nothing.
WHERE DO THEY STOP?
If the homes on Illaroo Road and Chepana Street are demolished under this unbelievable plan, how long will it be until the next row of homes goes – then the main road, then the Tavern and Shopping Centre, and more homes etc etc. Someone in authority needs to have the courage to admit that these 2 options of retreat/reactive management are ludicrous and then get on with the job of finding a solution that will stem the erosion.
NATURAL DISASTERS.
The erosion that has occurred is real, and if it does continue, it will be a natural disaster. In other natural disasters in Australia, be they bushfire, drought, cyclone the Government Authorities and other welfare and community organisations pour millions of dollars and countless hours of effort to assist those effected by disaster. Why is this disaster any different ? In many cases the Australian Government has sent millions of dollars to help overseas countries who have experienced disasters however now the taxpayers of Lake Cathie need some help
WHERE ARE THEIR PRIORITIES.
The NSW Government has just committed to spend over $5 million sinking the HMAS Adelaide off Terrigal for recreation. No doubt it will benefit the businesses of the dive operators and possibly bring some small amount of tourism business to the Central Coast – BUT benefit the community in general? The Federal Government has also just spent $4 million on signs to be erected in schools promoting the Government stimulus package. Where are their priorities ?
NORMAL MUMS, DADS & GRANDPARENTS
Perhaps these Government officials think that the 20 affected properties around Illaroo Road Lake Cathie consist of entirely wealthy individuals with multiple holiday properties and that the consequences of their ridiculous plan will be of little impact. Without exception, every property owner on llaroo Road is a normal hard-working, tax-paying, good citizen. For many, this is their only home. Some have lived there for over 50 years and had hoped to use their property to fund a place in a retirement home. One elderly lady bought her land with a war-service grant after World War II. Her late husband built the public toilet block on the lake-front as a gift to the community. Others have their home as their only form of superannuation. Some have built as their place of retirement, some hope to build their place of retirement, but the common factor is that ALL have worked a lifetime for what they have. To think theycan have that taken away from them by a couple of bureaucrats from their own Government defies belief.