Casting a Valid Vote in NSW, 2011

It is not my intention to tell anyone how to vote. I am reluctant to stick my toe into the sordid mess of politics, but voting is indeed part of the legitimate sphere of interest of "The Nature of Robertson". It is indeed an obligation (but not always a pleasure), for local residents.


Regular readers know I am an active environmentalist and that I have strong opinions on the lack of environmental protection offered by the current Government and by the Labor Party current local Member Matt Brown. You all know I am an active campaigner to protect the precious rivers and groundwater resources of the Southern Highlands. This first arose as an issue for me with the threat to the Kangaloon Aquifer as originally posed by the Sydney Catchment Authority, and more recently by the Government-approved Coal Mining Exploration by Cockatoo Coal, under Exeter and Sutton Forest.

Need I say more?

The current Member for Kiama, Matt Brown, as I like to imagine him.

My purpose in today's Blog post is to simply urge readers (in NSW) to make sure that whatever vote they wish to cast tomorrow is cast validly, so that it counts. There has been considerable reform to the voting system in NSW in recent years, including "Smart Roll" changes to the registration system. One can even register on the day, apparently, provided you have a valid Driver's Licence showing your current address (in NSW).


The NSW Electoral Commission has a helpful "idiots guide" to filling out the voting card.


I learned something, and that is that for the Upper House, if one wishes to vote "below the line" (so as to determine your own preference distribution) you need only fill in 15 boxes, not each and every box for each candidate. That's what I shall do, in the Upper House.


My reason for wanting to check that is that I was concerned that the Greens had made a decision to not "distribute preferences" for voters who opt to fill out a singe vote 1 "above the line" for their party.


Preferences are important.


If you are a person inclined to vote for other than one of the two major Parties, then your vote may well "expire" unless you direct your own preferences down the line. What's the point of having the right to vote if your vote is not effective?


I certainly do not wish to see my vote vanish in thin air. I want it to count.


That's why I shall be voting by putting in all the preferences available - in the Lower House ballot paper, and at least 15 preferences in the Upper House ballot paper - below the line. That way it is MY VOTE, not the vote determined by some back-room party hacks who think they know best what I want my vote to do. *** DJW EDIT Please see the comments below. My observation is challenged as not quite accurate.


Anthony Green advises that the voting above the line allows for some degree of preference indication, but surely this applies only after all the first party candidate votes have been exhausted?
He says:

• "In the Legislative Council, a single '1' will only count for the selected party and there are no between-party preferences.
• "If a voter wants to in the NSW Legislative Council, they may number the boxes above the line in order of preferred party, and these will be implied as being preferences for individual candidates." Source

For those interested to find out more about tomorrow's NSW election, I recommend spending a few minutes over on Anthony Green's Electoral Blog, on the ABC site.

Can't Eat Coal, Can't Drink Gas

Dear fellow residents of the NSW Southern Highlands (and Matt Brown MLA).

There will be a large rally in Sydney on Sunday. It will be a really interesting combination of Greens (yes some "Capital G" Greens) and Farmers, and environmentalists and people who just have a grievance with how the State has fared over the last 16 years (mostly dyed-in-the-wool Liberals and National Party supporters).

So there will be something for (nearly) everyone in this rally - from Bankers and Stock-brokers to bushies, the unemployed and the (supposedly) " retired" like me. It will be a group with a common theme - people who love and respect the bush, Nature and the environment.

This rally has been developed by the Lock the Gate Alliance (anti-coal seam gas people), and the peak Environment groups - Nature Conservation Council and many other environment groups.

The organisers of the "Shoo Cockatoo" campaign are going; and so will I.
Caroline Graham from Rivers SOS and I will travel up to there together.
Many hundreds of campaigners from all across the State will be heading to Sydney.

This is not an anti-labor rally, per se.
I prefer to think of it as the first step towards retribution against NSW Labor for the damage they have inflicted over the last 16 years of imbalanced, pro-development, pro-mining favouritism (especially the evil Part 3A legislation). Others will have their personal reasons for attending and waving their placards.

I will be there to try to stand up for the Rivers, and "Upland Swamps" of the Southern Catchment, and the local farmers whose aquifers are still threatened by the risk of mining by Gujarat NRE (not an immediate threat, but a threat none-the-less). Oh yes, I will be there to stick up for the silent threatened species, especially the Orchids, of course, such as my beloved Kangaloon Sun Orchids from Butler's Swamp, Kangaloon (image attached).

Kangaloon Sun Orchid - endangered by the threatened actions of the SCA

My personal motivation is the failure of the Sydney Catchment Authority (and the NSW Water Minister, Phil Costa) to understand the real threat their proposals posed to the Kangaloon Aquifer, and to the local farming community.

Everyone is welcome to join in.
If you cannot do that, at least please take notice of this rally (on the "telly" on Sunday night, and the papers and radio on Monday morning).

And please remember the efforts of the people who are going to Sydney this Sunday, when it comes to casting your vote the following Sunday.

Personally, I am sending this note out not to tell anyone who to vote for - just who I WILL NOT TO VOTE FOR.
The rest is up to you all.
That's democracy in action.

I have copied this note to my local Member Matt Brown MLA,

• Matt you had the chance to avoid this - four years ago when a number of us came to lobby you privately, about the Kangaloon Aquifer. But you chose to ignore us.
• You thought I was a dead set "Greenie". How wrong you were. I was and still am, a genuine Environmentalist. There is a difference.
• I have voted Labor all my life - but I can no longer do so in good conscience - thanks to YOU, Matt, and the NSW Labor Government.

Denis Wilson
Enrolled voter in the Kiama electorate.
Robertson NSW 2577

Attachment from Nature Conservation Council

Dear Friends,

After community action from farmers, conservationists and voters across NSW, both Labor and Coalition are under pressure to deliver this election to protect communities, agricultural land and water from the impacts of coal mining and coal seam gas.

After years of delay, Premier Keneally announced a plan this week to (supposedly) introduce stricter controls on the mining and gas industry, including identification of exclusion zones and banning some toxic chemicals used in coal seam gas extraction.  The Coalition have pledged to protect Dharawal State Conservation Area from mining and create a new national park; and are focusing on impacts to agricultural land and water resources.  

This Sunday, join people from across NSW to send the message home:

Can't Eat Coal, Can't Drink Gas
- NSW Election Rally to protect local communities, agricultural land and water from mining impacts.

When: 12 Midday, this Sunday March 20

Where: Martin Place, Macquarie St end, Sydney.  

Across NSW, communities are organising to protect their health, water, climate and agricultural land.  On Sunday, people will be attending from communities facing new coal seam gas projects at Camden and Gloucester; farmers from the Liverpool Plains stopping the undermining prime agricultural land; citizens from Western NSW tackling the proposed Cobbora coal mine; Southern Sydney and Illawarra local working to protect our drinking water from underground coal mining; and St Peters residents facing off a proposal to extract coal seam gas from under Sydney city.
This Sunday, one week before the NSW Election, join us to make the message loud and clear: "Food before coal. Water before gas.  For our land, our water and our future."
Speakers include:

John Thomson, Broke resident from the Lock the Gate Alliance;
Tim Duddy, Liverpool Plains farmer and independent candidate for the Upper Hunter;
Bev Smiles, Mudgee landholder from the NSW Nature Conservation Council;
Peter Martin, businessman and convenor of the Southern Highlands Coal Action Group;
• Cate Faehrmann, NSW Greens MP and mining spokesperson;
  
Julie Lyford, long term community campaigner and Gloucester Shire Councillor; and
Emceed by Simon Thomsen - restaurant critic for The Daily Telegraph; long-term editor of the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide; and a judge on Channel Seven's upcoming Australian Iron Chef series.

This election, demand your politicians put communities ahead of mining profits. 

Cheers,

Holly Creenaune

Outreach Co-ordinator
Nature Conservation Council

Web:  www.nccnsw.org.au/march-20-rally and www.lockthegate.org.au

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=201739353184982

P.S.  Bring your banners, placards, friends and family to stand up for local communities, agricultural land and water at 12 midday this Sunday March 20th at Martin Place, Sydney.

*****

Here follows some useful information regarding arrangements for those going to the Rally being held in Sydney this coming Sunday 20th March.

Buses and parking

• The rally starts at midday at the Macquarie St end of Martin Place
• Best place for letting people out of buses is probably Hospital Road
• The rally will finish at 1 Farrer Place (out the front of Governor Macquarie Tower) at 1:30pm.  Farrer Place meets Young St (at a dead end), Circular Quay is very close, as is Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Macquarie St (Opera House / Botanical Gardens end, that has a lot of bus parking).
• Car parking is expensive, the cheapest by far is at the Domain ($10).  More expensive options and closer options include 131 Macquarie St; 1 Martin Place; the MLC centre 19-29 Martin Place.
• Road closures: http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/newsevents/stpats_parade_2011_closures.html
• Clearways (ie. can't park here or let down passengers):http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/newsevents/stpats_parade_2011_clearways.html
• Traffic arrangements map:http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/newsevents/downloads/stpats_parade_2011_map.html

Robbo Show - the big day

Saturday is the "big day" at the Robbo Show. The formalities of the "opening" (yes, I know it has been going for 36 hours); the presentation of the Robertson Show Girl award; the bike races for the kids; and the "Australian Championship Potato Race 2009". This is a really serious event, with great status accorded to the winner, not to mention the prize money of $1000, plus a $300 bonus for a local winner.

Here are the contestants for the Robertson Show Girl 2009. I am pleased to note the dress code is jeans. No bikinis here, folks. Jessica Maloney (wearing the blue sash) was declared the Robertson Show Girl for 2009.Here is Lucy, the daughter of a friend of mine, who was a contestant in the junior bike race. Here are the contestants in the Junior Potato Race.

This is the Face of a Winner
from the Ladies Potato Race.
This is Pat Pearse crossing the finish line as the clear winner of the
Australian Championship Potato Race 2009.
Matt Brown, our local MP, Member for Kiama, crosses the finish line.
Not a bad effort. Inset image shows the strain involved.
To watch his celebrations, you would think he was the real winner. He wasn't.
Earlier in the day, the tiny tots bike race was held.
This dual image (inset and full image) shows a proud Dad urging his little kid along.
Note that he did not assist the little guy - just urged him,
and was ready to catch him, if needed, at the end.And here is the result - one very proud Dad,
and the kid adorned with a Winner's Ribbon.
Mind you, he seems just a little unsure if it was all worthwhile.
No doubt about Dad's view, though.

"Groundwater Borefields off the Agenda" - or are they?

Well, surprise, surprise, Matt Brown MP, Member for Kiama, wrote to me and other residents of Robertson and Kangaloon (the Southern Highlands parts of his Kiama electorate) today, with the headline: "Groundwater Borefields off the Agenda".

Matt's letter is more unequivocal than Nathan Rees' original statement. He says: ".... Nathan Rees has announced that water harvesting from aquifers in the Southern Highlands will not go ahead". That is ironic, given the apparent attitude of the SCA.

On the very same day as the Minister's statement was issued in Parliament, SCA officials were out and about hand delivering letters advising local residents in Kangaloon that the SCA are about to install a further set of "test bores", and one more monitoring bore. Some of these bores will be on private property.

Needless to say, we are looking into the fine details of the Minister's statement, and what action we can take to stop the SCA.

Is it a case of "weasel words" from the Minister, or a recalcitrant Government agency?

---

Regarding the letter hand delivered by the SCA on Wednesday (), re installation of further test bores, the SCA have responded to several questions from Save Water Alliance members, and other local residents today, by advising us that, as far as they are concerned, they have no reason to assume that they will not get approval by Frank Sartor to operate the Borefield.

It creates the impression that they are backing Sartor as a likely to carry the support of Cabinet, over Nathan Rees.

We are in for interesting times ahead.

You may read Matt Brown's letter in full below (click on the image of the letter to enlarge it, to make it easier to read).

Kangaloon Borefield to be "Shelved"

Well, it looks and sounds like Good News about the Kangaloon Aquifer, for a change. NSW Water Minister, Mr Nathan Rees announced on Wednesday 18 June that the Upper Nepean Borefield Proposal would be "put on the shelf". At least it is better than being told that the Borefield is to go ahead.

In Mr. Rees's Press Release, Mr. Matt Brown, the Member for Kiama acknowledged the strong community opposition to the project. Almost as an after-thought, Mr. Rees acknowledged that there was never much water to be gained from the project for Sydney, and that with the De-sal plant to come on line in 18 months, they simply do not need the Kangaloon Borefield.

Well, we should be gracious in welcoming the Minister's decision, but he does go to some pains to keep the door open for the project to be reactivated at some point in the future.

Over our dead bodies, Mr Rees!

The project is, was and always will be a total waste of taxpayers' money, and a dangerous experiment with one of the few "intact" parts of the Sydney Sandstone ecosystem. It is precious as an "environmental capsule", and must be maintained as such – not destroyed.

The Upper Nepean and Avon catchments should be immediately declared a National Park or Nature Reserve, and handed over to the National Parks and Wildlife Service for professional environmental management. Detailed plans were drawn up for exactly that to happen - a long time ago – by Helen Latham, on behalf of the NPA. The "Latham Report" is still available on the
NPA's website. If the NSW Government has forgotten that those plans ever existed I would be happy to provide them with fresh copies. They are more relevant today than ever.

Christmas Bells - at Butler's Swamp

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On behalf of the Save Water Alliance and the other groups which have opposed this plan all along, may I thank first of all, the generous members of the local Southern Highlands community who have supported us by coming to public meetings in Robertson and Bowral. I wish to mention those who put bumper stickers on their cars, and the landholders of Kangaloon whose "no
borefield" signs were torn down prior to the NSW Election by partisan political activists. Those incidents of politically motivated vandalism inspired us to greater endeavours.

So, in retrospect, we should thank Mr. Brown's (alleged) campaign assistants for their assistance in our Anti-Borefield campaign. Their mistake was in not recognizing that our campaign was not partisan (it never was), but was factually based. Along the way, we have had support from candidates from Labor Party (except in the Kiama electorate), the Greens (at State and local
level), the Liberal Party and from the Climate Change Coalition, as well as numerous independent candidates in both the State and Federal election campaigns.

I wish to thank specifically the dairy farmers and potato growers of Kangaloon, Robertson and Burrawang who gave us enough funds to commission a report from professional hydrologist, Mr. Ray Evans. Ray's report provided the necessary facts and figures which we needed to convince the Federal Government that the SCA had its computer modelling wrong. From that point
onwards, we were on our way to convincing the former Environment Minister, Mr. Malcolm Turnbull to declare the Upper Nepean Borefield project a "Controlled Action" under the Federal environment legislation. Mr. Turnbull was persuaded, partly by our submissions, but also, no doubt by the numerous private messages he received from influential Southern Highlands residents.

Mr. Turnbull signed the all–important order on 13 July 2007. It means that the borefield proposal cannot (even now) go ahead without Federal Government approval. The NSW Government appears to have conveniently forgotten that legal hurdle. We have not!

Rare, golden form of Christmas Bells
growing at Butler's Swamp, Kangaloon

Next I wish to thank the various peak Environmental Lobby groups, such as the Nature Conservation Council, the Total Environment Centre, the Wilderness Society, the National Parks Association (NPA), Rivers SOS, and the Colong Foundation, which have all assisted the groups working against the Upper Nepean (Kangaloon) Borefield. Special mention should be made of the long-suffering members of the Upper Nepean Borefield Community Reference Group, and Leon Hall, President of the Robertson Environment Protection Society, and Mr. Jonathan Bell of the NSW Farmers Association.

Subsequently, when preparing the response to the Environment Assessment, we were supported by the "Friends of the NSW Farmers", in commissioning a further report from Mr. Ray Evans. We thank them for their financial support for Mr. Evans' second report.

Naturally, I wish to thank Ray for his excellent research and sound technical advice in support of our "cause" – the future well-being of the Kangaloon Aquifer. I also wish to thank Prof. Gavan McDonell for his wise counsel and guidance as we have stumbled along the steep path of this
campaign.

The Member for Goulburn, Ms. Pru Goward has strongly supported the anti-borefield campaign, and we thank her for her support. We just need to convince the NSW Government to completely write off the borefield as a wasteful project and a dangerous environmental folly, not just play with words, like "putting it on the shelf". Abandon it now. Mr. Rees. Do not waste another cent on the Upper Nepean (Kangaloon) Borefield project.

I acknowledge Mr. Phil Herd, who initiated the Save Water Alliance. Without his energy and enthusiasm today's result might never have been achieved. I offer my thanks to Phil and the other members of our original Steering Committee, particularly Liz G, Liz H, Vicky, and Jonathan.

Finally, to the current members of our Committee, and our loyal volunteers, I wish to express my deepest gratitude for their on-going support, enthusiasm and efforts.

Denis Wilson

Chairman

Save Water Alliance

Southern Highlands Tourism Ambassador Program

Well, Steve Rosa or somebody over at Southern Highlands Tourism read yesterday's blog posting (thanks guys). I thought you might see it.

Today I got an email from Steve Rosa, Executive Manager, Tourism, with full details of the Southern Highlands Tourism Ambassador Program which Mr Matt Brown, NSW Minister for Tourism, launched yesterday.

You can check out this Program for yourself.

In essence it is a basic discounts package, with different business houses choosing their preferred form of discount package. These discounts are listed in the brochure. Frequent mention is made in the brochure of discounts for accommodation (especially) "when booked by a local". This is good sense, for it is along-established fact that the most important tourists for regional tourism destinations (like the Southern Highlands) are those who are "visiting friends and relatives".

Robertson residents (and other highlands residents) are familiar with this pattern, with people from Sydney or Canberra or other places dropping in for the weekend, and then going out to visit the attractions of the region.

It seems all Wingecarribee residents will (might) receive their "passports" from Southern Highlands Tourism in the next few weeks. The "might" qualification refers to the fact that Steve and the Southern Highlands Tourism Crew are relying on Australia Post to deliver these. As as rural resident, with no roadside mail delivery, and a PO Box in the village, I do not receive unaddressed mail (i.e., no "Junk Mail"). So I will not receive the Passport. But at least I do know about it, via email.

And now, dear reader, so do you.

Tourism Southern Highlands - launch

This morning, Matt Brown, the NSW Minister for Tourism donned a blue T-shirt for the sake of Tourism Southern Highlands. He even stood between Wingecarribee Shire Council Mayor Gordon Lewis (right) and the TSH General Manager Steve Rosa (left), and a horse.This was a launch for a Tourism Ambassador program for the Southern Highlands. I have studied the Press Release put out by Mr Rosa, and confess I am none the wiser as to how this program is meant to work.

As the Press Release says: "Further details of the program is (sic) available from the Mittagong Visitor Information Centre on Telephone 4871 2888".

Am I the only person who dislikes badly written Press Releases?

At least the Horse was happy.

Matt Brown pledges support for Kangaloon Aquifer

Regular readers will be interested to learn that Matt Brown was returned as Member for Kiama in Saturday's election, and this Blog congratulates Matt on his victory.

I am reliably informed that Matt Brown has pledged to continue to support the Kangaloon Aquifer issue. (Apparently this is reported in the Southern Highland News of 26 March 2007, but the story does not appear on their website, so I cannot quote it, or link to it.)




Quite what that "continue" means, I am not quite sure, but I do welcome Matt's recognition that it is still a big issue in the electorate. We do look forward to his support in fighting to protect the Aquifer.

The Kangaloon Aquifer needs protection - from the NSW Government, Matt, so you are well placed to look after it.

Incidentally, the "Bowral.Your Guide" website (the SHN website) is truly hopeless, by the way. There is not a single local story for today up on that website, under the Local News category. It is an insult to the local community. Haven't we just had an election, which will determine the future for this district for the next 4 years? Not a word about the battle between Pru Goward or Paul Stephenson makes it to their web. It is a disgraceful service to the people of the Southern Highlands.

I know there is a story in the "paper" paper, but they might as well close down the "pretend website" if they do not bother to file their stories on the web server. How hard is it to do that, after all? The story was presumably written on Sunday, for printing by Monday morning, and it is still not up on the Website by Monday night.

It is a problem through out the entire Rural Press network of papers, by the way. They might as well stop pretending to have a web site, then, perhaps they will revert to quill pens.

VOTING: KANGALOON AQUIFER POLICY STATEMENTS

The Save Water Alliance has surveyed the local candidates in the NSW seats of Kiama and Goulburn. We have published the answers which we have received from the candidates, IN THEIR OWN WORDS.
If you go to the Save Water Alliance website on this hot-link, you will see who has said what. Several candidates, including our Local Member Matt Brown (in Kiama), did not respond to this survey. Draw your own conclusions.

The full address of the link to the candidates' statements is:
http://www.savewateralliance.org.au/content/blogcategory/8/43/

Iron contamination at Kangaloon Aquifer site.

SANDBAG LEVEE-BANK,
TO SETTLE THE WATER
PUMPED FROM THE BORES.
Last week, the water being pumped from the Kangaloon Aquifer had turned brown, from iron. That there is a high iron content in the water is completely normal, and was expected by the Engineering Report commissioned by the SCA.

What is not normal, and not correct procedure, is that the iron ought be dumped onto the soil.

The Engineering Report proposed an aeration tank, with a sludge collection system, to prevent contamination of the local area.

I asked Mr John Ross, the SCA's Project Manager, after the Bowral Meeting, why they were not using the aeration/settlement tank system. Hs reply was: "No iron in that water".
You can now judge for yourself how good Mr Ross's technical expertise is.
If he is wrong on this issue. What else is he wrong on?
SANDBAGS ON TOP EDGE OF THE SETTLEMENT POND.
CLEAN ONES ARE ABOVE THE WATER LEVEL.
LOWER ONES ARE STAINED BY THE IRON.
Unfortunately, in their sloppiness (or indecent haste) the SCA have not bothered to install this proposed aeration tank, but just spill the water out over a metal tray, and allow it to spill onto the ground, then to run over the ground, through some Lomandra (rushes), and through another pipe, into the creek.
What is happening is that the iron, when "aerated" forms a form of iron oxide (a rust-like precipitate), and settles out into the ground. The question is, what will the SCA do to prevent this contamination spreading, or, indeed to remediate the area, after they have finished the "trial pumping"?
Site on Day 1 of pumping.
After the heavy rain,
the first water pumped was clean.
I emailed Mr Graeme Head, Chief Executive of the SCA, last week, (15 March) about this issue, but have had no reply, as yet.

So, I am now turning this into an "Open Letter" to Mr Head - in the hope that it might provoke an answer from him.
I will copy my original email to the local ALP Member for Kiama, Mr Matt Brown, and to Ann Sudmalis, Liberal Candidate, to see if either of them can get a reply for me.

"Even Dragons need to drink"

How could anyone not love George Thirlwall's little sign. The "joke" is that the family property is called "Dragon Farm". I really hope that George's sign is still in place. If not, at least we have an image of it, and I can help him make up a new one.

George is not a politician, he is 11 years old.
He just happens to live directly opposite the SCA's proposed borefield - but that is not his fault, is it?

What more can I say?


Ben van der Wijngaart (Greens, Kiama) said: "... it establishes a mind-set in the public that they can’t win the argument fair and square and have to resort to crudely destroying the opposing messages."

Ann Sudmalis (Liberal Party candidate for Kiama) issued a Press Release in which she said:

"These were legitimate protest signs, erected by a local
community group, that wanted to protect their community, and someone has ordered the destruction of any sign of protest."

"This was a planned and premeditated act that must be condemned for what it is - political bastardry".

*****

The stupid thing is that by removing our signs, the two men*** who did this (*** as per eye witness reports) have given us more free publicity.

It was the same when Bob Debus, NSW Labor Party Minister for the Environment, (and Attorney General, by-the-way) labelled the residents of the Southern Highlands as "Vandals" (not even "alleged vandals", but straight out "vandals").

It was a wrong story to start with, but that didn't matter - after a long lunch, Mr Debus thought nothing of abusing all of the
residents of the Southern Highlands.

*****

So, judging by how these different PR stunts have both backfired, the ALP needs to get itself some new media strategists.

We could save them the bother, if we elected a new Local Member for Kiama, this coming Saturday, 24 March.

Kangaloon Aquifer Update - and my personal political position

Firstly, in case you have not caught up, the pumping has started. It is from 4 bores, at present, but soon, a further 3 bores will come on stream (bad pun).

This is because the Sydney Catchment Authority managed to convince Malcolm Turnbull's Department that the "best possible" time to test whether the so call "perched swamps" (such as Butler's Swamp) are in fact groundwater dependent ecosystems (i.e., related to the Aquifer, or simply dependent upon rainfall) is after the huge amount of rain we received in February.
Of course, Butler's Swamp is totally flooded, and continues to get topped up every time we have another thunderstorm. One month's testing (in February and March) will tell the SCA absolutely nothing. The "trial" is a complete farce.

If you wish to follow this in more detail, I invite you to check out the Save Water Alliance website - specifically the reports under the heading : "The campaign so far":

http://www.savewateralliance.org.au/content/blogcategory/22/69/

Needless to say, we shall be going back to Canberra in a week or so, to try to persuade the Federal Dept that the SCA must be stopped, Of course, this is not going to be a simple argument to win. We need all the help we can get - technical advice from geologists, hydro-geologists, etc as well as moral support.

---

This weekend the Save Water Alliance will be at the Robertson Show (Friday 9 and Saturday 10 March). By the way, whoever decided that Friday and Saturday are regarded as a "weekend" in Robertson?

We shall have a small stall there somewhere, with Save Water Alliance paraphernalia - hats, Cow Cartoon T-Shirts for sale (see photo), and other bits and pieces of literature to hand out.

If you are able to come along, say hello, and grab some brochures to take home with you, to hand out elsewhere, and to spread the word, that would be great.

---

---

This is a public campaign, and if enough people get involved in this case, it is still possible that the Federal Minister (Mr Malcolm Turnbull) can be persuaded that he ought show his credentials as an Environmental Warrior, by taking action re the Kangaloon Aquifer, under the EPBC Act.

It is absolutely clear that he has the power (it is black letter law). It is a question of political will power.



As for the State political situation, it appears possible that the political cause is lost already (at the State level). However, in the case of the Kiama and the Goulburn Electorates, the issue is still wide open. I first spoke with Matt Brown, privately, about this matter, on 13 November. Matt has been absolutely loyal to the Party line, (the "Sussex Street Party Line" - that is).

In other words, Matt has been disloyal to the local people of the Southern Highlands (those of us within the Kiama Electorate), who are concerned about the pumping from the Kangaloon Aquifer. I have yet to find a single local person who supports this pumping - and goodness knows, I have spoken with lots of them.

So, what are we to do?

When Matt Brown comes to the Robbo Show, might I suggest that you respectfully take the opportunity to tell him how "Piss Weak" he has been on this issue. Personally, I was amazed when he got up and spoke at the Bowral Meeting last week, and claimed that he had acted as a "conduit" on this matter?

A Member of Parliament is meant to be a Representative of the people of his Electorate - not a "conduit".

If we wanted a conduit, Matt, we would hire a Plumber.

---

I am happy to accept responsibility for any political content in this post, because I personally sought Matt Brown out on this matter ages ago, and politely and quietly told him how important this issue was, and warned him that it might become a hot issue in the local area.

He chose to deny the truth of what we were saying about the Aquifer pumping taking shallow water which would damage the environment. He tried to down-play it then and has continued to do so, ever since. Thus, my current opinion is entirely a response to HIS lack of support on this issue.

For the record, I have been a Labor voter all my life - but I shall not be voting for Matt Brown in this election. Well, that is, unless Matt Brown suddenly finds out from his staffers how to use the telephone, and rings someone powerful in Sydney, and gets the pumping stopped - between now and 24 March 2007.

I am not telling anyone how to vote in this election - that is not for me to do. But I am happy to declare for whom I shall not be voting - and why.

---

See you all at the Robbo Show.

Liberal Candidates inspect the Kangaloon Aquifer

On Friday 19 January, the Liberal Candidates for the region descended upon the Kangaloon area - having strategy meetings with the Save Water Alliance, and then doing an inspection of the Kangaloon Aquifer works area.



In the morning, Pru Goward, the Liberal Candidate for Goulburn met with the SWA people, and then we went on to the main works area, on Tourist Road, just east of the Nepean River crossing. This was an interesting and informative meeting, and Pru was keen to lear about the Aquifer.







In the afternoon we met with Ann Sudmalis, the candidate for Kiama - which includes Robertson and the area up to Sheepwash Road (Kangaloon, Glenquarry and across to Avoca and Fitzroy Falls). Ann was with Michael Richardson, Shadow Minister for the Environment. I would have to say that the SWA people were disappointed that Michael Richardson appeared not to have received copies of the materials which had been forwarded on to Peter Debnam. And so he was poorly briefed on the Kangaloon Aquifer issue. None-the-less once on site, in Kangaloon he quickly appreciated the value of this area of bush, and the reasons why we were so keen to protect it from being sucked dry through pumping by the SCA.

Ann Sudmalis is across the issues to do with the Aquifer, and is keen to assist in whatever way she can. As a matter of fact she was just on the phone, as I write this entry, speaking with me about a further submission to DEH, and also offering to help in any way possible.

The attitude of the Liberal candidates is in total contrast with the attitude of Matt Brown, who is still in denial about the SCA's plans, quoting it as "deep water" which is going to be taken. It is not. We have shown him documentary evidence of that, and he still keeps quoting the SCA "line". Matt Brown is totally wrong in his assertions about that point.

Matt Brown and the Kangaloon Aquifer

On Monday, 13 November, I led a small delegation to meet with Mr Matt Brown, MLA.

Matt is the Member for Kiama, and is the Local Member for Robertson and Kangaloon. (see Kiama Electorate map below).







The meeting came about because I had previously written to Matt expressing concern about the threat to endangered species of plants, particularly the Leek Orchids in the Kangaloon Aquifer.






My colleagues on the delegation were Dr Karen Guymer, a Robertson resident and a member of the Upper Nepean Groundwater Community Reference Group (CRG), and a member of the Robertson Environment Protection Society (REPS); and Leon Hall, the president of REPS, and also a member of the CRG.

I am grateful to them for accompanying me on this delegation.


On 30 October 2006, Matt replied to my earlier letter about the endangered species in the Kangaloon Aquifer, using the following words:

• "I would not expect any significant impact on the surface environment from rare extraction events from deep aquifers - even in the driest times Robertson area gets far more rainfall than most areas, with soils and near-surface aquifers being regularly replenished and vegetation being sustained by these."
  
• "Deep aquifers as standby reserves for drought events are probably the lowest impact "new water" sources we can tap into - and far more agreeable than desalination or new dams."

I am afraid this got to me, as I knew that it was based upon a false premise, regarding the SCA taking only "deep water".

I replied to Matt Brown, asking for the opportunity to brief him on the subject, as clearly he had been misled by the SCA - along with everyone else, including the community. That is how Monday's meeting came about. And I am grateful to Matt Brown for the opportunity to put the facts on the SCA's drilling proposals in the Kangaloon Aquifer to him.

*****

At Monday's meeting, after introductions, Karen and Leon started off by describing the groundwater structures in the Kangaloon Aquifer, and particularly the inter-relationship between the shallow groundwaters and springs, streams and particularly the "montane swamps" such as Butler's Swamp and especially Stockyard Swamp, which is right at the very peak of the Upper Nepean River catchment.

I then described how the SCA's bores have been fitted with slotted pipes which allow water to drain into the bores at different levels. The depths of these slots are designed for specific bores, to match up with different known groundwater depths in each bore. In the most extreme case, in the large diameter bore at Stockyard Swamp, the slotted pipes start a mere 11 metres below ground. That is hardly taking "deep water"!

I also pointed out that studies of the age of the water conducted by or for the SCA had shown that radioactive traces had been found in the bore samples which indicate that some of the water being taken by the SCA's test bores was "modern" water - less than 50 years old. Some of the water is ancient water - ranging from 1000 years old to more than 10,000 years old. (This is sometimes referred to as "fossil water".)

The massive divergence of age of the waters in the aquifer comes about partly because of the SCA's own practice of taking shallow water, and mixing it with the deeper, older water, in their bores. It is acknowledged that some of these bores are quite deep, but the practice of fitting slotted pipes, to allow shallow water to enter the bores is the real issue - an issue about which the SCA stands accused of deceiving the public (and the local Members of Parliament).

Also, some mixing can occur naturally because of the presence of fault lines in the Sandstone rock strata, which fault lines allow water from recent rainfall to penetrate to low level strata in the rock relatively quickly, because of the much higher permeability of fractured rock strata along the fault line than in the more solid rock strata in the main bore field. Indeed the consultant hydrologist, who conducted the "peer review" of the Technical Overview Report, Mr Don Woolley, stressed that some of the bore sites were far more productive than others, and that this was due to their proximity to the Mount Murray fault line.

So, whether the mixing of old water and new water is due to the natural mixing through the fault line, or the SCA's practice of designing their bores specifically to take both shallow water and deeper water, the fact is that their bores are not taking only deep water.

Matt responded that this was not what he was told.

I said that he need not feel bad about it, as it was not what anybody had been told - not him, nor Peta Seaton MLA, the current Member for the Southern Highlands, nor Joanna Gash MHR, the member for the federal seat of Gilmore, or the local community.

We have all been misled by the public briefings provided by the SCA. And yet, the information we were providing him was all extracted from information within the SCA's own technical reports.

He kept saying this is "new information". Indeed it is - to the public, but not to the SCA.

I left Matt with a submission in which I called upon him to make a Private Member's Statement to Parliament supporting the recommendation of the CRG for a moratorium on pumping from the Kangaloon Aquifer - a position supported by the independent submission by REPS, as well.

Matt said that he could not adopt that position himself, at this stage, however, he did undertake to make representations on our behalf, to the Minister for the Environment, Mr Bob Debus MLA.

*****

I must admit to finding myself disappointed in this response. It is his responsibility as a local Member of Parliament to represent the views of his constituents, when specifically asked to do so. Anything less would be an abrogation of his responsibilities. So, to agree to "make representations on our behalf" is in fact the least that he can be expected to do (it is a far cry from a supporting of our position).

I say this as someone with more than 20 years experience as a federal Public Servant handling Ministerial correspondence - "representations" of precisely the kind Mr Brown has undertaken to make. I know first hand how little impact such representations have, on Government policy, in normal circumstances. Mr Brown challenge is to see if he can, as a member of the governing Party, distance himself from this particular Government policy.

*****

The next NSW State Election, is due on 24 March 2007. However, the Government has announced that pumping from the Kangaloon Aquifer will commence in the new year. In my opinion, Matt Brown does not have much time to switch his personal position on this subject, if he ever will.

As far as I am concerned, after the pumping starts, is too late, Mr Brown. This is my personal opinion.

Once again, and now publicly, I call on Mr Brown to read the material which we left you the other day, absorb it, and decide that indeed, the Kangaloon Aquifer must not be drained. You have enough facts before you to realise that you have been misled by the SCA.

It is time to take a stand, Mr Brown, and support the moratorium on pumping from the Kangaloon Aquifer.

*****

I await Mr Brown's response to our submission, and I look forward to hearing back from him, after he has made representations to Mr Debus. But the January deadline for pumping is looming fast.

*****

I would like to record my appreciation of the hard work of the members of the Upper Nepean Groundwater Community Reference Group , and of people like Dr Emmett O'Loughlin who worked "pro bono" for several months on details of the SCA's investigations into the Kangaloon Aquifer. Dr O'Loughlin addressed the National Parks Association, (NPA) Southern Highlands Branch about the Kangaloon Aquifer in August this year.

The nature of being an "Endangered Species"

Wingecarribee Leek Orchid
 (DJW EDIT: Identification subsequently confirmed on 7 March 2012 as Prasophyllum appendiculatum). At the time I originally published this blog, it was believed that this plant was so rare that the National Parks and Wildlife Service had listed it on the Endangered Species List, and that it was protected by legislation.

Prasophyllum appendiculatum
(Amended ID, by Dr Mark Clements)

This Orchid has been successfully monitored, in a 1 Km stretch along Tourist Road, in East Kangaloon. 83 individual plants were located, and their exact location logged with a GPS location plotter. This is now a matter of official record (within the Department of Environment and Conservation), and that Department will officially advise the Sydney Catchment Authority.

This plant is listed as an Endangered Species under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. 83 individual plants might sound like a lot, but it is the restricted location of these plants which is the issue. After all, a bulldozer could wipe out the lot of them in a couple of hours.

In view of the amended ID for these plants - the reference to them being an Endangered Species is no longer supported.  

DJW 7 March 2012

Prasophyllum appendiculatum
(Amended ID, by Dr Mark Clements)

W.L.O.
Close-up
Recent amendments, "under the Threatened Species Legislation Amendment Act 2004, passed by Parliament in November 2004, signal the NSW Government’s commitment to further integrating conservation with mainstream decision-making about how we use land and build our economy. .... The Amendment Act puts greater emphasis on land-use planning which focuses on the protection and restoration of native vegetation and threatened species habitat at the landscape scale and integrates with the Government’s other reforms to natural resource management and planning." Source: Dept. of Environment and Conservation webpage on Threatened Species Legislation.

Ok, it is now time to see how this rhetoric gets put into action.

Ultimately, the responsible person is the Minister for Environment and Conservation in NSW, Mr Bob Debus. The Local Member, Mr Matt Brown, Member for Kiama ought be taking notice of this issue.

*****

The drilling teams from the SCA are closing in on these Orchids.

Already the Department of Natural Resources, as contractors for the SCA, are drilling a second "production bore" along Tourist Road, near the Nepean River, about 2 Km to the east of these Orchids. Another bore, or maybe two, are proposed for the very area where these Orchids are located.

They are building bores at the rate of one every 4 or 5 days, so these Orchids may have less than a week to live - unless the SCA is told to stop this boring - NOW, today.

The Kangaloon Aquifer. What is happening?

Before we get political, here's a medical update.

Dad is now on day 10 after "stem cell" re implantation. He has had a few days of feeling low, but not desperately ill.
However, the blood count stats have now turned the corner. White cells were at zero, but are now statistically meaningful: 0.1;0.2;0.4;0.5.
So he thinks it safe to proclaim himself the "come-back kid.
One main side effect... His grey and white hair (now only stubble, as he cut his hair before treatment started) keeps falling out. Being the proud owner of a Minature Schnauzer, this means that he and the lovely Lena will not be winning any Dog/Owner look alike competitions in the near future. Tragic!
xxx Zoe.

The Kangaloon Aquifer. What is happening?

Regular readers will know of my concern about the proposal by Mr Iemma to pump dry the Kangaloon Aquifer.
Peta Seaton M.L.A convened a well attended public meeting in Robertson. A consultative group was to be set up.
Unfortunately, I have been out of contact recently. But my local friends have been keeping thier eyes and ears open. They seem to have heard little or nothing. <p>

I fear that Peta Seaton is sitting on the issue, hoping to use it against the Iemma government, in next year's election. That would be understandable. However, it is a risky strategy. <p>

Given the physical simplicity of drilling a few more bores (in addition to the "test" bores already drilled), connecting a pump to each bore, and a length of pipe from each bore to the nearest creek - draining the aquifer could easily begin long before the election. <p>

This issue is too serious to be subsumed beneath political convenience (or advantage) for individual local members.

A) If pumping commences, I will blame Matt Brown M.L.A, member for Kiama (ALP) for choosing loyalty to Government over concern for the environment.

B) But I shill also blame Peta Seaton M.L.A for sitting on her hands while work proceeded under her nose.

C) that would be a lose: lose: lose scenario.
Matt Brown might lose his seat.
Peta Seaton will not lose her seat, but will lose any credibility she might have on environmental issues.
But the environment will be the biggest loser.

THE KANGALOON AQUIFER MUST NOT BE DRAINED!!

I accept responsibility for political content of this blog entry.
Denis Wilson,
Robertson NSW.

The (first) public meeting about the Kangaloon Aquifer

I have deliberately entitled this story the "first" public meeting about the Kangaloon Aquifer, as I believe we are in this one for the long haul.

A very well attended meeting (about 200 people) gave their full (and polite) attention to a panel of speakers about the NSW Government's proposal to drain the Kangaloon Aquifer. The meeting was well run by Peta Seaton MLA, Member for the Southern Highlands. Peta gave a very thorough history of the proposal and also outlined what information she had been given by the Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA). She then introduced a panel of speakers, including Jonathan Bell, a Glen Quarry resident and representative of the NSW Farmers Association, followed by Matt Brown, MLA, Member for Kiama.

Matt handed out an information sheet which had been prepared by the SCA. He talked about the various steps which the Government is taking with regard to water management. As Mr Brown had to leave early, he fielded a number of questions, mostly about wastage of water. Ford Kristo asked an interesting question about Sydney having exceeded its "optimal size" and so, was the Government considering decentralisation? Mr Brown's answer completely missed the point, for although he spoke about various "Growth Centres" which had been designated by the Government, they were all within the same conurbation, and specifically (as far as this audience was concerned) within the same water catchment.

How is that going to help this issue, Mr Brown?

Then Clr Larry Whipper, from Robertson spoke about the Wingecarribee Shire Council's involvement in lobbying the NSW Government about this proposal, and specifically, the disinformation which Council had been given previously by the SCA. Next to speak was Dr. John Skidmore, from Kangaroo Valley, representing the campaigners against the raising the wall of the Tallawa Dam. Then Joanna Gash, MHR, Federal Member for Gilmore spoke. The deputy Mayor, Clr Campbell-Jones and Clr Jim Mauger were also present.

Peta Seaton then invited general questions and statements from the people at the meeting. Questions ranged from possible legal remedies to this situation, to what measures are being taken to reduce wastage of water in Sydney, and specifically by industry.

Clearly, the meeting was entirely unconvinced by assurances from the "authorities" that the ground water to be tapped was different from the springs of the local hillsides and the ground water and currently being tapped by bores. A geological chart which Ms Seaton had been given by the Sydney Catchment Authority showed the Robertson Basalt overlaying the Wianamatta Shale and in due turn, the underlying sandstone. That is basically correct. However, the claim was made by the SCA to Ms Seaton, (who relayed it to the meeting) that the Shale layer was impervious to water, and so the water in the Basalt hills was "above" and separate from the aquifer in the sandstone. Farmers and other people with bores spoke about their experiences with deep bores going well into the sandstone, and even, in one case, through the underlying "coal measures" (which surprised me). The point was made over and over, that nobody really knows where the water begins or ends, but we do not believe what the Government is telling us about our springs and the bore water being separate from the so-called deep water aquifer. The point was made that the Audit of the Sydney Drinking Water Catchment (December 2005) called on the authorities to establish the precise relationship between ground water and surface water in the catchment. That Audit report appears to have been ignored.

With regard to the geological chart from the SCA which Peta Seaton showed us, it is my understanding that the Basalt of the local area is a volcanic extrusion up through the sandstone plateau and the overlying Shale, and so the supposedly "impermeable" shale layer was ruptured in many places, when the volcanic activity underneath forced the basalt to the surface (about 30 million years ago). That is how water, which falls as rain on the Robertson basalt caps enters the aquifer below. As such I feel it is simplistic nonsense for the SCA to tell us that our springs are "safe" as they come from the basalt caps above the aquifer, when geologists tell us that the lower strata of rock have been ruptured, and so do not form an impervious layer at all. That allows a potential 2-way flow of water to and from the aquifer below. So, in my understanding all the local groundwater is part of the one system.

Ms Seaton concluded the meeting with a summary of the "mood of the room" (which was abundantly obvious), and undertook to lobby the Government accordingly, and to circulate information to the people who attended the meeting, and to convene any community group which might be formed (perhaps in conjunction with the Council) to consider the aquifer proposal further.

As one of the speakers from the floor said: "Lets keep the Green Heart of the Highlands green".

I could not agree more.