City Of Canning SMRC Representative Resigns! And Residents Say RRRC WCF Odour Is “Out of Control”…
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CMCOAG – Newsletter and Updates
Canning Melville Community Odour Action Group
City of Canning SMRC Representative Resigns!
AND
RRRC WCF Odour “Out of Control”…
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Hi there
1. City of Canning SMRC Representative Resigns!
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Please read the quote from the City of Canning minutes below…
Cr Mason: Apart from the ones that you already mentioned, on Thursday, 5 February 2009, I attended the South East District Planning Committee meeting at the Town of Victoria Park.
Mr Mayor, I would also like to read out a statement, which reads as follows:
On the 20 January 2009, I wrote to the Chief Executive Officer of the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council (SMRC), concerning the video that was posted on ‘You Tube’, showing Regional Councillors touring Leeming and Willetton on the bus tour arranged by the SMRC.
In his response, the Chief Executive Officer stated that the video was made by the Chairman, Cr Doug Thompson, with his own equipment and account, and that the SMRC was not involved.
Having personally viewed the video on ‘You Tube’, I have no doubt in my mind that this is not the case.
• The SMRC emailed all Regional Councillors requesting an indication to attend the tours.
• The vehicle was arranged by the SMRC, and paid for by the organisation.
• The vehicle left in one instance from the Regional Resource Recovery Centre (RRRC) car park after the presentation by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) regarding their findings into the odour complaints.
• Cr Thompson is seen on the videos, and others had agreed to use the equipment.
• Many of those captured on the video showed scant or little concern mentioning ratepayers names while standing in front of their complainants homes.
It is my opinion this action has damaged the reputation of those Regional Councillors in attendance, Member Councils, and the SMRC, and defies a logic that this organisation can claim to be ‘engaging the community’. As former Mayor Lee, and myself, were the only ones not to attend this tour, I can only express my disappointment no other Regional Councillor raised objection to this matter being placed on ‘You Tube’.
The actions of those from the Odour Unit have not enhanced that company’s reputation, when they are seen using their noses to ‘sniff out any odour’, and seen laughing and smirking throughout the video, and has left me with no doubt about how serious they are in resolving the issues. I find this makes a mockery of the claim that the DEC should not be using calibrated noses to determine the extent of the odours.
As I have stated previously in this Council, the SMRC post Section 5.93 of the Local Government Act 1995, Improper Use of Information, which imposes a penalty of $10,000 or two years jail, on a person who is a Council Member, a Committee Member, or an employee, that makes improper use of information acquired in the performance of that person, of any of his or her function. And the documents sent to the Regional Councillors, carry that statement, yet they do not appear to apply this Clause to the staff.
Can you imagine what would happen to any Member of this Council, should they choose to film a ratepayer who disagrees with a decision of Council, and then post their address and car registrations on ‘You Tube’.
As a Bannister Ward Councillor for the City of Canning, representing many of the ratepayers affected by the odour from the RRRC, I believe this incident has placed me in a tenuous position as Council’s representative, and I have therefore effective immediately today, tendered my resignation to the Board of the SMRC.
http://www.canning.wa.gov.au/Shared/Meetings/Minutes10February2009P.htm
2. RRRC WCF Odour Out of Control…
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Residents in Leeming and Willetton are stating they’re furious with the ongoing RRRC WCF odour that they’ve stated is “out of control”!
Odour reports have surged and residents have said they’re fed up with:
a. How it’s affecting their lives and health
b. By the lack of effort from the state govt and local govt – and feel the City of Canning is the only council that is taking this issue seriously
c. Annoyed and insulted by emails and responses they’re receiving from councillors and others who support the RRRC WCF.
At the end of the day, and DEC has proven the RRRC WCF odour is impacting the residents, it’s residents rates that are funding the RRRC WCF and are also copping it’s emissions.
It’s not fair and residents do not deserve to have to shut-up and put up with it.
Don’t let yourself be made to feel insignificant at any time in regards to the RRRC WCF odour.
The more someone is making you feel this way – it probably means you’re having more of an impact than you think.
Log the odour online – putting it in writing is vital:
http://www.cmcoag.com/odour-log.htm
and
Log the odour via phone using the Emergency Pollution Response Numbers Below:
Day Time – 6364 6501
After Hours – 1300 784 782
Keep up the good work… and log the RRRC WCF on every occassion that you experience it!
