GALLERY: Trees flattened at Diggers Bridge
MOWBRAY VALLEY
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MOWBRAY Valley’s biggest landowner has slammed Douglas Shire councillors for ignoring ‘the will of the majority of your community’ in a sharp rebuke of the Diggers Bridge re-development.
Gary Hunt expressed his sentiments in an e-mail to Mayor Julia Leu and councillors David Carey, Michael Kerr, Abigail Noli and Roy Zammataro.
“Well Councillors, you have ignored the will of the majority of your community. You have NOT been able to justify a two-lane concrete monstrosity,” he said.
“You are continuing to fail in providing a transparent process. You have ignored attempts to try and find a middle ground. You will continue to be judged on your appalling lack of collaboration with those that you serve.
“Sad that this Council’s great work has been totally torpedoed by a monumentally flawed decision that leaves many of us totally bewildered as to…..WHY ????”
He also provided images of the construction site and underlined the legality of the images.
“In case it is suggested that the photos were taken by entering the site without authorisation, they were done from a neighbouring property with permission with a telephoto lens,” says Hunt.
In respect to the photos, which have been provided to Newsport, Hunt says: “these photos are your legacy.”
He adds, ‘sadly some of you simply will not even appreciate the reputational damage to this Shire that you have condoned. We all warned you and were ignored.’
“This is still not the end. The destruction of the trees and providing an unwarranted bridge is not the end.
“The community will be monitoring the construction actions moving forward; questioning the lack of due process, and cataloguing the on-going harm on completion.
“Already it is evident that Council is allowing the contractor to rip away the northern bank without siltation barriers … this is shameful. I am so sad that it has come to this,” says Hunt.
Mayor Julia Leu issued the following statement to Newsport:
“Council made a tough decision that diligently weighed up both strong support and opposition.
“Council is elected to make these tough decisions and respects that some people may have differing opinions. The photos show a construction site after one week.
“I encourage everyone to judge this project after it is completed and the area rehabilitated with suitable natives.
“Commentary about the Diggers Bridge project appears to ignore expert ecological advice, Council’s obligations to safety, the requests of local cane growers and the needs of local businesses.
“The project will provide a new crossing with an increased load-limit and dual lanes, which will boost safety and significantly extend the operational life of the existing wooden Diggers Bridge.
“Council has a duty to provide infrastructure that both meets environmental requirements and allows economic activity to grow.
“Preserving the old Diggers Bridge as a recreational site and crossing for pedestrians and cyclists will also bring many social benefits.
“Council is being undeniably transparent. Councillors and staff have attended several meetings with residents who opposed the decision and provided all requested documentation about the project.
“Council is always looking at ways to improve community engagement and will be taking all feedback about this project on board.”
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