December 10th, 2022Kyle’s Rant

WE HAVE an amazing collection of towns and villages here in the Central Highlands of Victoria, each having their own unique history and vibe.

I recently found myself at Malmsbury. Driving up the road you can see the small squads of geese out for a walk and wandering through the botanic garden and lake, and are met by the gentle honk and squawk of these gorgeous creatures.
It takes me back to a time before the biodiversity officer for Hepburn Shire Council (HSC) took away the geese from
Lake Daylesford. They, for me, gave the lake a real character, a kind of a Darling Buds of May feel.
The day they took the geese was brutal and when I goose-stepped from mild-mannered reporter to goose protector along
with a small bunch of people trying in vain to save our exotic lake birds.
HSC told the community it was for the best and not to worry, soon the skies would be thick with native black swans coming to the lake. I have since seen just two black swans, clearly a fleeting visit, and a mere pit stop for them on their way to preferred shallow waters.
Aside from missing the geese, I think the issue is that we are meant to live in a democracy, but it seems the decision makers at HSC seem to make the big calls, leaving most of the community unconsulted.
The joke that just keeps giving, The Rex, is a case in point. The idea to house council staff in better facilities, take them away from our 100-year-old plus, damp,
old buildings into something environmentally sound was a solid concept. But because of what only can be described as a botched, miscalculated and bungled idea, HSC staff are still stuck in outdated retrofitted buildings for a long time to come.
For those of us that have been around longer, you may remember “Woodgate” – a storm in a teacup over some HSC workers and their side hustle with woodchip mulch. And then there was “Bullygate”, when a councillor was accused of bullying
the HSC CEO at the time. I was working for HSC then and it involved a lot of hours attending lessons on how not to bully people, yawn. And even “Tindergate”. When did the council decide to hook up with Tinder?
I am not writing this piece to kick the HSC in the guts, I am simply pointing out that we, the ratepayers, have had our fair share of stuff-ups and money wasting. And I think many are now nervous as a gold mine comes closer with an exploration licence
already granted. Advertised “locally” in The Courier and The Hun.
HSC needs to step up in terms of community consultation and representation, and leave nothing in the tank if it comes down to negotiating.
A giant conglomerate wants to mine under Daylesford and if this comes off, which is likely, it will require the highest diligence of negotiation in terms of potential air, noise and environmental pollution on behalf of the community that HSC
represents. Underground rant over…