Sven Weiner [email protected]

JUST A REMINDER ABOUT THE PUBLIC MEETING TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER, 3:00 pm, HILLWOOD HALL.
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO GIVE GEORGE TOWN RESIDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS REGARDING THE PROPOSED PULP MILL DEVELOPMENT.

An invitation to the Mayor …

In the ABC interview you stated that you had “consulted” with the George Town municipality and that they were “happy”. I would be interested to know where and when this consultation took place, as the people with whom I have contact are anything but happy. I am therefore pleased to be able to invite you to attend a public meeting of concerned George Town municipality residents to be held on Sunday 23rd September at 3:00 pm in the Hillwood Hall.

Doug Burt, Mayor,
George Town Council,
16 Anne St, George Town
Tasmania

Dear Doug,

As you probably know, I have long-standing ties with George Town, having spent a number of my formative years there. Although my family moved away from George Town following the death of my father, I still have strong links with the area through friendships and an abiding affection for the people and the environs.

I was therefore interested to hear your comments on ABC radio on Tuesday morning regarding an elector poll in the municipality on the pulp mill issue. While I accept that the Council’s official position has been one of strong support for the proposal, there is a large group of disaffected rate-payers and residents who feel they lack representation on this issue. No doubt you are aware that all published polls on the issue show that support for the proposal as it stands is very low.

In the ABC interview you stated that you had “consulted” with the George Town municipality and that they were “happy”. I would be interested to know where and when this consultation took place, as the people with whom I have contact are anything but happy.

I am therefore pleased to be able to invite you to attend a public meeting of concerned George Town municipality residents to be held on Sunday 23rd September at 3:00 pm in the Hillwood Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to allow people with concerns the opportunity to express their views. A further opportunity to ask relevant questions of their mayor would be welcomed. Your attendance at the meeting would be a strong indication that you are listening to all of your constituents, Council’s position on the pulp mill notwithstanding.

You are probably aware that the West Tamar Council withdrew from its position of conditional support of the development in direct response to a large majority of residents of the municipality as expressed through a rate-payer petition and subsequent public meeting. The Flinders Council has also adopted a strong stance of non-support for the proposal in response to residents’ concerns.
I think it would be sending out a strong message to all in the municipality that their council listens to the concerns of all residents on important issues, if you were to attend. Your status as mayor would be greatly enhanced.

I therefore look forward to your attendance on Sunday.

Yours sincerely,

Susan McMahon