WHO IS THE REAL CARLY RUNDLE?

You think you know who she is. She is on the Shire of York websites’ official Administration Staff List as ‘Planning Officer’.

Yet the Shire of York’s official letter regarding the Mid-West Joint Development Assessment Panel meeting (JDAP) that includes her signature, has her describing her official title as ‘SENIOR PLANNER’ in  CAPITAL LETTERS.

Does this mean she is no longer just a lower-case Planning Officer, but now an upper-case SENIOR PLANNER, obviously with far more, recently gathered, extensive qualifications than her title, shown on the website, suggests.

Planning what is one question?  Why the increase in employment status is another and what really is the difference between Planning Officer and SENIOR PLANNER is another? Is it the pay grade?

If it is an employee salary and benefits upgrade that has generated this? Is it sheer ability, recent planning successes, new qualifications, or is it because of something that may have happened in the recent past? The reason and timing could end up to be a very serious question should an answer be pursued.

It is not her fault, but what she should not be doing is being seen to be in charge of any fight to save York from Allawuna Farm. This is the role of the CHIEF-EXECUTIVE-OFFICER and the SHIRE PRESIDENT not someone who is an employee.

Either, or both their signatures should be on all official correspondence regarding Allawuna Farm. It is a fight for York’s future that these gentleman should realize, in their own best interest, they should not lose.

So why does Ms Rundle appear to be the SENIOR PLANNER in charge?

One rationale is that Mr. Martin and Mr. Wallace could be trying to distance themselves from the end result. That is if things go pear-shaped? Then they can try and throw poor Ms. Rundle under the proverbial bus.

Perhaps they have been reading newspapers and have seen the reports of the unprecedented tourism market slump throughout Western Australia, particularly in rural areas? That is assuming they have time to read in their busy schedules?

They could feel that, given these circumstances, the Allawuna Farm dump may be the only good, bad or indifferent new business development York can look forward to for years to come?

Another worry is the possible composition of the JDAP panel. On the current official panel list there is no one from York, but Kulin, Cue , Menzies, Meekatharra, Coolgardie and Mingenew could have a Shire Councillor on board.

Firstly, with no disrespect, Mid-West council representatives are made up of butchers, bakers, candlestick makers, a plethora of farmers and business proprietors who exist in support.

Secondly the environment and geographical scientific evidence that has, or will be, presented to them could well be in their area of no-expertise. Then there may be the attitude that no one gives a rats as long as this dump is not in their shire.

The facts that this JDAP must recognize as irrefutable evidence why this dump should not go ahead are:-

1. York is considered by large domestic insurance companies as an area of high damage risk through a raft of natural disasters including earthquake. Major insurer, YOUI, will not cover York properties and others charge excessive premiums.

2. The access road could already be considered dangerous through the official road toll statistics of death and serious injury.

3. Heavy traffic movements will increase by 3.5 times per day with the attendant risk of the death and serious injury increasing exponentially to an unacceptable level.

Seriously- those involved in supporting or assisting in any way in this project, including Alkina itself and the relevant Ministers for Roads and the Environment could face serious public opinion repercussions should people be killed or maimed between The Lakes and St. Ronan’s as a direct result of increased heavy haulage waste vehicle movements.

There has been enough publicity to ensure that no-one can claim they were not aware that an extremely dangerous traffic congestion could not exist on this road-given its physical state.

You can call it the ‘Steve Smith Syndrome’. You will be forever guilty of a terrible error of judgement.

David Taylor.