As we take breath (if that is possible without also breathing in this acrid smoke) it might be time to ask Eurobodalla Councillors if they still believe there is no reason to recognise climate change and no reason to call a climate emergency (as they did in Aug 13th 2019).
Clr Pat McGinlay and Councillor Anthony Mayne called Climate Change to be recognised so that a Climate Emergency could be declared that would then go to the second recommendation to review procedures, policies and Plans and preparedness for any Climate created event.
Their motion was defeated by INNES, TAIT, CONSTABLE, THOMSON and POLLOCK (who recommended instead that Council recognise that weather was 'variable and changing').
It is more than obvious that Eurobodalla was NOT prepared, our evacuation centres were not prepared, and our communications were not prepared for the high probability of the absolute, unprecedented intensity of the fires which Council had been warned about in September.
Council did NOT have a current Disaster Plan or a current Bushfire Management Plan on their website for the public to seek more information from (both Plans were several years out of date)
And NO... this is not Council bashing... it is offering some history and encouraging discussion of where we should move forward to.
There is MUCH the councillors need to do (an could have done in the past 25 days) however they have refused to hold a meeting to discuss actions required (budget commitments as a result of bushfires, waste management, criteria for dispersing donated funds, damage to Council infrastructure).
The Councillors do not return to work until February 11th after a two month break.
Meanwhile to our south Bega Councillors will have met twice. It is of little wonder that when you ask our Eurobodalla councillors for any news and updates they reply "I don't know.. i haven't been told".
We will probably hear a lot of the phrase "Moving forward" - it is generally a term used to cover your arse as you leave a trail of detritus behind that you don't want to recognise or take responsibility for.
Moving Forward Councillors...... moving forward
