newsletters

Subject: RE: Dalkeith Councillor News

Dear Mr and Mrs. Golding,

I totally agree with you, as a Councillor must protect Dalkeith public not his own interest. And now already become a big
issue, he must step down rather than clean his hand.

Regards, Paul

From: pjnjgold@iinet.net.au
Subject: RE: Dalkeith Councillor News
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2008 18:29:31 +0900
Dear Councillor Negus,
There are several points in your email yesterday on which we take issue:
1.      You acknowledge that you were aware of the Council’s long term planning process when you were elected. Did you, as part of your election platform, tell ratepayers what your position would be on a major development program for Dalkeith? We note that the paper that was circulated by you in December substantially supported the present proposal, specifically 5 story development. We are concerned that you circulated a paper containing your opinion well before the end of consultation period for ratepayer submissions, in other words before you could determine the views of the ratepayers you were elected to represent.
2.      You say that “this concept is nothing new.” Although we are aware that there have been previous suggestions of redevelopment in Dalkeith there has been nothing of this scale and magnitude made known to ratepayers.
3.      You can hardly take credit for raising awareness of the proposal in either Council or the community. It was a group of concerned and vigilant ratepayers who organised a pamphlet drop to all Dalkeith residents and pushed for an extension to the consultation period that can take most of the credit for raising awareness in the wider Dalkeith community. Property owners in the immediate area seem to have been in the privileged position of having their views heard during the period leading up to the proposal being circulated to the wider Dalkeith community.
4.      A great majority of Dalkeith ratepayers are opposed to the proposal as evidenced by the support being shown for PADD. We should have our views represented, not left to Councillors of wards outside Dalkeith. If you are unable to represent your ratepayers on such a crucial issue you should consider resigning. “Working for us in the future” is not going to be of much use if the long term character and amenity of Dalkeith (which is the reason people choose to live here) is destroyed. We need a Councillor who is prepared to work for us now, on this critical issue that will impact on the future of Dalkeith forever.
As you say, the community has come closer together – in wanting to preserve Dalkeith.
Yours sincerely,
Phillip and Jenny Golding

From: mnegus@bigpond.com [mailto:mnegus@bigpond.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 6 February 2008 8:31 AM
To: Linda; bret; Ross Begley; rjcornelius; Phil; Paulus Dermawan; Marco Meloni; Lynton Giles; Lynne Cunningham; Lucy Lim; Judy Flower; John Saleeba; Garret & Blair Dixon; Gabrielle Lim; G Melrose; Franky Rungkat; Colin Latchem; Cliff Matson; Cisca Spencer; cecily; brian.odonnell@acequity.com.au; A & J Campbell; Aimee Core; ang_mav@tpg.com.au; Angela; anita.bourke; daviesroad; dbajrovi@bigpond.net.au; drwoo@iinet.net.au; elaine jacoby; Elizabeth Nottage; halcyonhill@bigpond.com; helen newnham; homan zandi; Jenny Golding; Joe Porter; K Eastwood; Koya Ayonrinde; Leah Chapman; Leo Crohan; Lou Seman; mastastroke; Michael Culloty; Nancy Powell; Nevin Watson; Paola Lovi; Sandy Ignatiadis; Sheila English; Shirley Hansen/Stan Ryan; stephen.davis; Stewart Graham; Susanne Taylor; Trefor Thomas; Veronique Dutton-Plazy; Wiwi Sumali
Cc: crs@nedlands.wa.gov.au; Graham Foster; Carlie Eldridge
Subject: Dalkeith Councillor News

Good morning All

My name is Matthew Stirling Negus, I am one of your Dalkeith Ward Councillors, in the City of Nedlands.

I live and work in Dalkeith, and have done so most of my life.

I was sworn into the new Nedlands council, led by our new Mayor on the 23rd October 2007.

Two weeks later, In November 2007, the city released its latest concept plan to establish Dalkeith’s future direction. The previous council led by the previous Mayor, authorised the production of this concept.

This concept is nothing new, to my knowledge the city has been working on various concepts, and has employed various consultants, since at least 1997.

Several past concepts have not been implemented, in my view this is because the planners of the day haven’t taken the time to ask the community what the community wants Dalkeith to look like in the future.

Dalkeith residents should welcome and support our current administrations initiative, in taking the time to ask the Dalkeith residents for their input into this latest process.

I am proud to have been able to help raise awareness of the current concept in the Dalkeith community.

I have attended all of the council’s community information sessions, as well as attending meetings with the ADD and the PADD groups. I have also spoken with many people during my normal daily activities and whilst on the PADD walks, encouraging them to provide constructive feedback..

I am proud to have helped raise my fellow councillors, and the council administration’s awareness, of the Dalkeith community’s feelings towards the concept.

All of the concepts that have been produced over the last 10 years have included the property from which I run my family’s business (87 Waratah Avenue), which my family has owned since 1975 (33 years).

My family home (10 Philip Road) is located behind our business, and therefore has also been affected by all of these concepts.

Since entering local council I have disclosed my interests, and will continue to do so, I have stated that I would not vote on any issues conflicting with my interests.

The purpose of my email today, is to advise everyone on my email list, the time has come for me to step back from all council work relating to the Dalkeith concept.

Your councillors are about to recommence decision making in relation to the Dalkeith concept, I will not be part of this decision making.

I am the only current council member who lives in Dalkeith, this leaves the remainder of the Councillors free to look at the feedback provided by the Dalkeith community, and weigh our views against the external pressures for increased densities, to produce balanced guidelines for Dalkeith’s future. We are in good hands.

One positive thing that has come out of this process to date, is that the community has come closer together, this has in my opinion made Dalkeith an even greater place to live.

I look forward to continuing to work for you in the future.

Have a great day

Regards

Matt Negus