Menkit Prince, Uki.
Is Cr Pryce Allsop openly encouraging businesses to breach conditions of their development application (DA) then say ‘we were just trying to grow, give us a break’? Sounds like it.
His letter last week said ‘sometimes businesses may have to breach their conditions to grow and evolve and I believe this is acceptable to a degree’.
When does it not become acceptable Cr Allsop? Is it okay to illegally chop down koala trees, pollute local creeks (killing platypus and other aquatic species) or mine excessive amounts of water to send over the border in times of drought? Where does he draw the line?
By not clearly specifying what breaches he supports, he may encourage a new wave of generic breaches.
What about a ‘scaled approach’ to ratepayers? If we pay less rates we spend more locally and the economy grows, right?
His letter suggests that the success of a business (ie making money) is more important than following conditions often there to protect the environment and society. Does he realise that sustainability should have three legs equally developed i.e. economic, social and environmental? When a business jeopardises social or environmental aspects there are negative impacts on others and that’s why there are conditions.
He says ‘businesses are ridiculed over their industry’s behaviours and regarding their compliance issues.’ So instead are we to praise them? It seems Cr Allsop does.
Talk about ‘a story behind a story’! At least now businesses know which councillors to go to for support when they breach their DA.
