Pakenham

July 06

G'day, Jack.

    Just wanted to ask how things are going for you, and to let you know your letter appeared in our local Pakenham Gazette on Wednesday 28th June.  It has impressed several people I have spoken to and no doubt more whom I have not yet talked to.

    That information is really relevant out here because our Council is struggling to keep the debt down at the same time as they are obliged to provide infrastructure projects for the massive growth that is occurring resulting from government policy, but they don’t fund it.  Instead we ratepayers subsidise it.

    I know of other ratepayer groups in Benalla and Shepparton who are struggling with rural issues of property valuations etc. and also Baw Baw Shire near here.

    No doubt the metropolitan municipalities have slightly different issues from the Rural people but we are all affected by government growth policy and lack of funding from state government which, as you point out, has lots of dollars. 

    Now we hear of the Growth Area Authority (GAA) that has been set up by Mr.Hulls and co. to work with developers and administer their contributions. I think this is ominous for local communities who may not get a say or any opportunity to object to various developments.

    Would you be interested in coming to one of our meetings as a guest speaker/discussion leader?    Or are things too busy for you.   We could buy you dinner at our local Italian restaurant!     

 Let me know what you think, Jack, and how things are going.

Regards,

Gloria O'C.   

RATEPAYERS VICTORIA, Inc. A0040924M - PO BOX 1057 Huntingdale, Victoria 3166