The community meeting held by BRASS (Braidwood Residents Association) last Wednesday 29th August at the National Theatre was attended by around 120 members of the community including the Mayor Jim Maclachlan and Crs Hart, Harrex, Raynolds and Horan. However the GM Peter Bascomb and Council staff were instructed not to go as it would be "inappropriate", the Mr Bascomb said.
The meeting was organized by BRASS as a forum to discuss the rates and charges, and any possible alternative ideas for a $6,845,000 Sewerage Treatment Plant for Braidwood.
The meeting was convened by Judit Kovacs and was addressed a number of speakers before questions time.
Mr Forbes Gordon, BRASS President, said that he was saddened that Council staff not there. "It is not our intention to attack the staff" he said. "The Council should be criticised for not allowing the staff to come. It shows a bad attitude."
However he commended Council for allowing an open tender on the sewerage treatment plant.
Mr Gordon questioned the Mayor on what had happened to the estimates for the repair between the 2004 report and now? "It was less than $300k for an upgrade" he said. The Mayor disagreed saying that was only for the OH&S upgrade.
Mr Gordon pleaded with the Council to look at every aspect, and asked if it could be fixed up "please don't set your hearts on only one system."
Mr Gordon also said he was disappointed that Council Director Bill Ellison wouldn't let the engineer who did the concept report come to the meeting, saying it would be "a waste of time."
Martin Royds explained how the different sewerage systems work, and introduced two engineers from environmental infrastructure group Bellwether Agricultural, who spoke at length about their company's waste projects in operations internationally in 'farming renewable energy.' Their primary examples were large scale methane capturing systems with up to 10,000 head of cattle in the US, and system used for the Visy paper mill in Tumut.
It was pointed out that Braidwood only produces 260kg per day of sludge, where around 1000kg a day would be needed to be economically viable. However the rough figure to install the plant would be less than $1 million, without all the connections and the digestor.
This is a totally biological system in a controlled space, which Bellwether claim is more efficient because it is in a contained space. There may be an option for installing part of the system and the energy producing part at a later date when there is further waste.
Karuna Bajracharya spoke about the impact of the increases rates and charges, noting that taking approximately $600,000 out of the economy would have a multiplying effect.
Acacia Rose, independent candidate for the federal seat of Eden Monaro, said that it was the story is the same around the country with infrastructure, saying that with massive commonwealth surplus should have been invested. She said the future is in being self sufficient.
The Mayor said that the moment the STP has gone to tender no grants will be available from the State Government (Country Town Water Supply and Sewerage Scheme.) He said that he had met with I met with Gary Nairn that afternoon "who is working for us but having difficulty." He noted that with the possibility of an election being called it didn't leave very long to get some funding, however there are also deadlines on getting the STP started.
Christine Wright asked if we actually need to "replace the whole system?" and why when in January 2006 is was called 'augmentation", has it become 'replacement'.
Cr Raynolds said it "appears to me that you don't have much confidence in the Council. That is extremely unfair. We will spend your money as best we can."
"If this council had the previous Tallaganda staff I wouldn't have had the confidence, but the current staff are so much better. Gordon Cunningham is the best engineer we've ever had" Said Cr Raynolds.
Acacia Rose urged residents to write to Mr Nairn. "It is not a done deal" she said.
ABC Stateline ACT attended the meeting and aired a short segment last Friday night.
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