FOMRE AGM 2010 - Convenor's Report - 28.02.2010

CONVENOR'S REPORT  2010

My good FOMRE friends,

This year's report is certainly different.  No bemoaning our continuing frustration because Plunkett's court case against the State Appeals tribunal seemed to be indefinitely stalled in the courts. And, naturally, when the fairly new Minister for Planning sent his representatives to sound out GCA and ourselves as to whether we would like that court case brought on, we both unhesitatingly affirmed that we did. We never imagined for a moment that the Minister had a quite different intention, namely to recommend that Cabinet give advance approval to a development of 2,000 homes on the Plunkett land. About that we were given no inkling, nor was our opinion ever asked for, despite any impression to the contrary the Minister's statements may convey.

Before considering with you the situation produced by the Minister's extraordinary, and I would also say procedurally highly questionable, public announcement in June last, I think it is important to make clear that FOMRE's unwavering position remains that this unique peace of land should never be subject to any kind of urban development. I stress the word 'urban', because FOMRE has always supported the idea of developing that land in a sustainable manner for eco-tourism and recreational activities. Our long-term aim remains to see the land come into public ownership so that all future generations may benefit from and enjoy its use. In this we have been particularly grateful for the strong support of the Guilderton Community Association and, as we now know from our recent comprehensive visitations, also the overwhelming majority of the wider Guilderton Community, residents, holiday makers and day visitors  alike.

I should, at this point, express my sincere thanks to the wonderful teams of workers who carried out these visitations. They ranged from octogenarian senior citizens to children still reckoning their ages in single figures! As a result of their efforts I have been able to pass to various MLAs some 80 full or almost full petition sheets totalling more than 1500 signatures. Our supportive Members of the House will be presenting these petitions daily during the present sitting of Parliament, ensuring that every member, from the Premier downwards, is reminded each day of sitting that there is an issue at the mouth of the Moore River.

The other good thing to report is that the GCA President, Geoff Gilby, and I were most courteously received by the Gingin Shire Council when, on February 2nd, our Shire Councillor, Sam Collard had arranged for us to make a deputation to the Council. Our aim was to try and ensure that this time round we and the Council were working together, rather than against each other. George Gifford, the Shire President explained to us the severe restrictions under which the Council found itself as a result of the Minister's statement, precluded as they are from rejecting the Plan in toto. The Shire will only be able to use planning regulations to try and limit damaging outcomes from the plan. However he also made it clear that cooperation with the Shire did not preclude FOMRE and GCA from taking a stronger stance against the development as a whole.

The position, as far as I know it today, is that the ODP required from the Company has not yet been presented to the Shire, even though Lisa Edwards, the Shire's planning consultant, confidently expected it before the end of January. There could be any number of reasons for the delay,  but there is little profit in speculating about that. We can say that we are as ready as it is possible to be to deal with the ODP when it appears, but we have to recognise that all that is possible then is to tinker at the edges of something we believe should not be allowed to happen at all. If the Minister. or cabinet behind him, are to be made to think again, that will only happen through political pressure. Hence our campaign of petitions, our continuing encouragement of our members to write to Ministers and others and so on. In all this the development of our website - jointly with GCA - has had a major effect in lifting our public profile and especially in reaching more of the younger generation of Moore River lovers. We all thank Steve Broadway for his excellent work on this vital development.

One rather fortunate circumstance was the opportunity I got, a little over two weeks ago, to speak with the Premier on the ABC's Morning Show. He concluded his remarks with a strong statement that the land along the river for some considerable but unspecified distance back would not be built on. I sent him a transcript and asked for his confirmation. No reply so far! I have copies of both the transcript and my letter available for those who missed it all, and particularly if you would like to write your own follow-up letter to the Premier.

This direct access to the Premier has opened up some useful further initiatives and we will not be letting them slip. In the mean while, I think it is very important that all of us encourage our friends to keep at their local members, Ministers and any one in Parliament they can get to, to keep the issue well and truly alive. If we can generate enough letters to and personal contact with political leaders, we can make Moore River look a politically threatening issue. That will probably carry more weight with our present political bosses that arguing the merits of the case - sad to have to say so, but regrettably close to the facts.

Let me also encourage you with another line of thinking and it is not to imply any personal weakening of my resolve to pursue our fundamental goal of public ownership. In 1995 I told the then Planning Minister, Richard Lewis, that, if he were to approve the original rezoning application, the main effect would be to increase the eventual price the government would have to pay to buy the land, as it would certainly have to do. I have a certain feeling of deja-vu in today's situation. If Plunkett gains approval of his ODP, it will certainly be a setback for us, but we have to be realistic and face this possibility.  It does not mean that all is lost.

Firstly, he still has to get subsequent approval of his sub-division plan, the hurdle at which he fell last time  But even after that there are many reasons why the development may not be able to proceed in the near future, or indeed, at all. Providing certain conditions are met, this third overturning of decisions can be overturned a fourth time. This is one of the reasons why we have pointed out to the Shire the importance of putting an expiry date on any approval they find themselves forced to issue, to avoid merely adding a permanent bonus to Plunkett's  already inflated claims as to the capital value of his property.

So once again I find myself exhorting you all to continue with us for the long haul.

I think that is probably enough for now, though I am very willing to take a direct questions on what I have said when I conclude in a moment. More general questions can be raised when we get to general business.

It remains only for me to thank the hard-working members of the committee, who have each carried their share of the load as need arose. I have felt wonderfully supported and thank them all, most particularly Diana, our secretary, who manages to give the impression that FOMRE comes first among her wide and many-sided other interests.

I will conclude my report with advance warning that there is room on the committee for new members. I will say a little more about the future of the committee when we come to the elections a little later on.

John Prince

28 February 2010

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