The decision of Richmond Valley Council to not prosecute Metgasco over holding ponds raises some interesting questions about the operations of council.
Councillors gave the nod for one holding pond 15 metres by 15 metres in March 2007 yet the report prepared for council today indicates council staff approved a pond much, much larger.
But more than that a second pond has been in operation without approval of any kind.
Raises some serious questions not only about the veracity of reports to council but also about monitoring. The ponds are on council property.
Has council been receiving income from lease of the site? Is there a conflict of interest here?
Council seems to be a law unto itself. It did more than a million dollars worth of work on the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome last year without the necessary approval. Again, a council site.
The Metgasco ponds are not an isolated example.
Dr Richard Gates, president, Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome Committee Inc
