A few things need to be pointed out about Margaret McDonald's letter that maybe she forgot to include.

Yes it is true that last minute Mayoral Minutes should be for things that are a matter of urgency. In this case, it certainly was a matter of urgency.

Council formally met on the Monday 22nd of February. St Johns Junior Ruby League Club informed me that the government grants and funding round for their proposal for new playing ovals closed on Thursday 25th February. If council didn't acknowledge the proposal in time it would mean that potentially millions of dollars of government funding would be missed. Missing out on millions of dollars of funding warrants being declared a matter of urgency.

The wording of the Mayoral Minute was that council "welcomed" a proposal. This isn't approving a final design. Common sense indicates that if the government approves funding, detailed designs, location and consultation would then take place.

This current council's environmental record is pretty darn good. From opposing CSG, pushing renewable power, CBD tree plantings, establishment of a street tree committee, installing millions of dollars worth of Gross Pollution Traps (GPTs) for the river, funding the River Repair Bus and soon to embark on planting literally thousands of trees shows that this council's environmental credentials is top-notch.

At the next meeting of council we will again consider the St Johns Rugby League proposal. That will include a motion for wide community consultation on our entire urban council controlled river corridor. It's a pity Ms McDonald didn't mention these facts.

I make no appoligies that while ever I am mayor I will always strive to squeeze every last dollar of funding out of the government for our community. By acting quickly, I did just that.

Ben Shields

Mayor, Dubbo Regional Council

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