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Wednesday, April 22, 2015
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At loggerheads
Warring Tablelands councillors ruining the region By Justin Fris RECENT months of instability at both state and local government level has left certain areas of the Tablelands in a dishevelled mess. The state’s focus has beamed brightly on the Cook electorate of late, with local member Billy Gordon’s presence placed under the microscope, by both electorate and politicians alike. Similarly, contentious decisions detailed within the Tablelands Regional Council have dominated conversations held by local ratepayers. Both situations are in many ways engulfing the region with a noticeable stench; akin to a toddler who has soiled its nappy, but is forced to wallow until progressive change is embraced. Councillors were again split over two major issues last Thursday, with a casting vote and the
usual run of the mill arguments and retorts jotted out. Functionality of the Cashmere-Kirrama road bridges were again hotly disputed, with councillors provided a detailed report from their own officers, with suggested recommendations. Officers believed that the TRC should not proceed in issuing temporary truck permits for both the Herbert and Muriel Bridges along the Cashmere-Kirrama road. Along with this, they outlined great urgency for replacement structures to be erected in order to minimise impact for local graziers. Cr Peter Hodge, who was firmly in agreement with TRC officers tabling the report, said he believed Council could not afford the risk, should a bridge collapse. “The officers’ recommendation is the way to
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go,” he said. “I’m not going to put Council and local ratepayers at risk, or risk Council being sued if something goes wrong.” Cr Hodge said the insurance company had warned officers in the report that they would not have blanket coverage if a crash occurred, causing a bridge collapse. Cr’s Marjorie Pagani, Shaaron Linwood and Rod Marti argued in vain against the proposed motion, as they all believed temporary permits were imperative for local graziers. Cr Shaaron Linwood hit out instantaneously at Cr Hodge’s position, saying that the ‘potential to get sued’ argument was a ‘lame’ one. “(In regard to the truck permits) we are talking a limited period of time,” she said. “There would be very stringent conditions involved.” Mayor Rosa Lee Long entered the debate, stat-
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ing that council could not be expected to monitor the nitty gritty elements (for example, ensuring motorists obeyed the 10km/hr speed limit) and that herself and TRC CEO Ian Church had been concerned with the current state of the area in question. TRC GM of Infrastructure Services Ross McKim and CEO Ian Church were voices of reason during the hurly burly dialogue and both appeared the only ones capable of leading both sides to an equitable list of outcomes. Councillors were informed by Mr McKim that replacement side tracks would be installed as soon as possible, followed by maintenance to the bridges. The original motion tabled by Council officers was eventually passed 4-3, with the help of Mayor Lee Long’s casting vote.
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