The Council of the City of Greater Arrogance

On 24 November, 2014, Ms Pamela King sent the following email to the City of Bendigo Council:

From: Colin Leask [mailto:]
Sent: Monday, 24 November 2014 12:50 PM
To: 'p.mansfield@Bendigo.vic.gov.au'; 'Clare Malcolm'; 'p.cox@bendigocouncillors.org.au'; 'Mark Weragoda'; 'Margaret Mcafee'; j.williams@bendigocouncillors.org.au; 'r.fyffe@bendigocouncillors.org.au'; 'Lisa.Chesters.MP@aph.gov.au'; 'Ian Magee'; 'Andrew Helps'; 'Neil Harris'; 'Graham Connell'
 

Subject: Splitters Creek Evaporation Facility

To whom it may concern, which is obviously nobody because nobody ever replies.

The noise is way over the approved 46 plus 10 for construction dB(A). But nothing is done about it even though we keep complaining to EPA. We have a hand held monitor, so we are not guessing. It is not acceptable that Mandalay come along around 12 midday to do the noise monitoring when the machines  or the majority of them  have gone back up to the work site. The noise bounces off the water on the dams and comes straight up into our house. But  nobody knows this as NOBODY ENGAGES  with Colin and Pam at all. The dust that is currently blowing off the work site  on Lot 1 over the road and then down the valley. But what’s the point of saying anything because then they will just bring the water trucks back in from the mine and pour contaminated mine water all over the road and the roads they have made all over Lot 1.

Just met your Ray Chalkley [CoGB Compliance officer].  He was sitting in a council ute blocking the road, Colin asked him to move and his reply was can,t you go around. And actually he is not allowed to block the road. He then went on to inflame the situation by telling Colin he was nothing but a angry little man, who had a lot of anger in him. I kept telling your employee not to push the subject, Colin walked away.

City of Greater Bendigo you are completely heartless.

The stress and anxiety you have allowed US to be put under is completely unacceptable. Please keep the arrogance and rudeness of your Mr Chalkleys under control. I expect an apology.

Regards

Pamela King

***

Even Bendigo City Council officers are not allowed to block a public road with their cars...

And then the rudeness and the insults... what about that Council? There is a Code of Conduct unless we are very much mistaken.

3.17 Personal Conduct
Staff will treat all people with courtesy and respect, recognising that there are legitimate differences in opinions, race, culture, religion, language, gender and abilities. This includes:
- Treating members of the community with dignity and ensuring that neither offence nor embarrassment are caused.
[...]
- Exercising reasonable care and diligence in performing their functions
- Complying with all relevant laws, be they Federal, State or Local Laws.

It appears that a breach of the Code of Conduct was achieved with Mr Chalkley's insulting behaviour and personal remarks directed at Mr Leask.

Further breaches would appear to have occurred with the parking of a Council car across a public road. That's not legal. Even for a CoGB Officer.


It would appear that the City of Greater Bendigo is attempting to bait the residents of Costerfield into reactions that they would regret. 

And so out came Mr Chalkley...

...because he's obviously the Master...