Shoalhaven Action Campaign

Media Release - 4 July 2008

The Shoalhaven Action Campaign (SAC) is delighted to announce it will be supporting Robert Miller and Mark Hurley as candidates for the Council elections on 13th September.  Robert Miller and Mark Hurley will be standing for election as a Councillors in Ward three.

Annie Boutland from SAC said “Robert Miller and Mark Hurley are strong candidates.  Robert Miller has a  long history in the local area.  He is a 5th generation dairy farmer, born in Milton.  Mark Hurley came to Milton in 1996 where he had an antique shop for 3 years.  Mark has previously served as a Councillor on Shoalhaven City Council.  He was elected in 1998 on a ticket of community action” she said.

“Mr Miller has an Honours Degree from the University of Sydney in Agriculture and Business Studies, and has undertaken postgraduate studies in Accountancy at Southern Cross University and in Business Administration at the University of New England.  He has previously worked in corporate banking and international trade.  Mr Miller now lives and works at “Narrawilly” a dairy farm which has been owned by his family since 1859″

“Since moving back to Milton to run Narrawilly, Mr Miller has been actively involved in promoting the long term productivity, profitability and sustainability of agricultural industries on the south coast,  particularly the dairy industry” said Ms Boutland.  He was previously a member of the NSW  Farmers Dairy Industry Committee and a Deputy Chair of the South Coast  Rural Lands Board.  He was also appointed as the dairy representative to the Intensive Agriculture Committee which reported to and advised the NSW Minister for Primary Industry” she said.
“Robert Miller currently sits on the board of the Milton and districts Bendigo Bank.  He also chairs the South Coast Dairy Partnership with the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority, the  NSW Department of Primary Industries and dairy farmers.  This project  provides support and resources for dairy farmers to implement natural  resource management projects on their farms.”

Mr Miller said “My interest in standing as a candidate for Shoalhaven Council is to promote:

• greater accountability, transparency and  fairness in Council decision-making processes;
• innovative new developments like the Future Park; and
• appropriate developments that complement the natural beauty of the Shoalhaven’s coastline and hinterland.”

Mr Miller expressed his concern that in recent times, the community has often been ignored when it comes to contentious matters affecting development.  The proposed high rise development of the Ulladulla CBD being a case in point.

“Development is necessary and essential, along with the establishment of industry, small to medium business enterprises, education and leisure facilities to provide long term employment opportunities and create a better lifestyle for our community” he said.  “However,  this does not mean that we need high rise development surrounding Ulladulla Harbour in order to flourish.”  “ I would like to see the Ulladulla CBD re-designed with development that better suits our coastal location.  The design needs to be based on robust studies in order to cater for the needs of the future.  The design will also need to cater for adequate public open space, better pedestrian access and  improved traffic flow in peak periods.”

“Mark Hurley believes that the community needs and deserves a Council that involves it and listens to it, particularly on development issues that will affect us and our families for generations” said Ms Boutland.
“I believe strongly in the importance of Local Government and the significant influence it has on our everyday lives” said Mr Hurley.  “ I am confident in the ability of Council staff to deliver outcomes for the community with guidance from Councillors, but,I have grave concerns about the frequency with which many of our current Councillors ride roughshod over staff, ignore their professional advice and make decisions contrary to Council policy” he said.

“This pattern has been evident in a number of recent local planning decisions including the approval of high-rise buildings in the Ulladulla CBD, two storey additions to Bannisters Lodge, and most recently approval of Mrs Tops B and B in Milton to cater for a small number of public diners in their dining room.”

“I have nothing against Mr Tops” said Mr Hurley “but I am concerned about the breach of policy and precedent it sets for anyone to set up a restaurant in a residential area in the Shoalhaven City Council area” he said.  “This decision brings into doubt the value of owing existing properties with commercial zoning throughout the Shoalhaven.”

“I appreciates the need for change and growth, but believe that development must be strategically planned and have the support of the community.  Not approved in the ad hoc manner it is now” he said.