Well, it didn’t work and has only shown that they indeed don’t give a damn for those it will affect. 

The proposal that is set to rezone some of the most pristine agricultural land right on top of what is the most pristine agricultural land right on top of what is the water catchment of Orange, as well as the drinking water supply of hundreds of local residents, is ridiculous. 

The council’s idea to put heavy, toxic industry that will operate 24/7 is a scary possibility that could have detrimental outcomes for not only the local residents but for the environment and water supply as well. 

This proposal is totally unnecessary and goes against council’s own rules in relation to the water catchment and the Local Environment Plan, as well as the conditions put in place with the recent airport upgrade. Why?

The council would have all of us believe it’s all about creating jobs for the future and this is more important than anything else.  Well, what a load of nonsense. 

The recent $19 million spent on the airport is supposed to create jobs. My question to councillor Chris Gryllis is just how many jobs did we get for $19 million? The council would have us believe that an industrial area will also create jobs, and it may well do, but at what cost to the water catchment/environment and local community?

If you look around Orange it’s not hard to see there is an abundant amount of land available for development, much of which runs along the railway line and close to the ring roads.

So why would you ruin and endanger our pristine water catchment areas as well as the amenity of local residents with such a dumb proposal? 

The council’s conduct in relation to how it discusses these issues with the community is appalling. 

At the public meeting held in Spring Hill the overwhelming view of the local residents was that they didn’t want this on their doorstep, and yet it’s clear that the council couldn’t care less what we all think. 

Over the past few months over 300 people have signed the petition against this proposal, and I would encourage everyone who would like their children to have a future in Orange, as well as all those concerned with the total disregard for the environment, to at the very least have a look at the Facebook page www.facebook.com/SpringhillAirportDevelopment 2015.

We all need to keep in mind that we will have the opportunity to vote these people out of office, and hopefully their dumb ideas with them, come 2016. 

Robert Sanders, Spring Terrace Water Group Inc.