Chris Oldfield, Naracoorte Community News

CR Craig McGuire has successfully called for a biological survey of all the native fauna and flora in the North Parklands, regardless of its cost to ratepayers.

At the Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s last meeting before slipping into caretaker mode, council considered five recommendations by CEO Trevor Smart.

Cr McGuire flagged his intention for a further motion, and Mrs Vickery called on him after the five other motions were carried.

Cr McGuire said he wanted “a contractor to do a full biological survey of flora and fauna of the North Parklands to provide council with a baseline understanding of the area’s natural values”.

His motion was seconded by Cr Earl.

“Moving forward we’ll need it for our consultation and for our masterplan,” Cr McGuire said.

Cr Dennis asked how council could be assured of the independence of such a person “when we ask them for a certain outcome?”.

Cr McGuire said there were people in Adelaide who were “completely independent for local government.”

Mr Smart indicated that would be part of the procurement process.

Cr Cameron Grundy: “What sort of cost would that be to council?”

Mrs Vickery: “I think it would have to come back to council before it was decided on.”

Cr McGuire: “Happy to change the motion to explore the costings.”

Cr Damien Ross said he was happy to support the amendment to explore costs.

Mrs Vickery said to Cr McGuire: “Can I ask that you agree to that amendment to your original motion?”

Cr McGuire changed his mind regarding the costs.

“I just want to say it doesn’t matter how much it costs,” Cr McGuire said.

“We’ve got two endangered species at our back door and we are sitting here saying, well, if it costs too much we are not going to do it. So I won’t (add the amendment).”

Mrs Vickery: “That’s fine. We’ve had your original motion that was seconded by Cr Earl and we have had your amended motion which is only an amendment so is not adding to it.

There was some confusion and Mrs Vickery said: “That was my ruling”.

“It wasn’t an amendment, that was my ruling,” Mrs Vickery said.

“We have a motion at the moment and if we could get it up there that would be useful.”

Cr McGuire passed over the wording of his motion so it could be put on a screen.

Cr Dennis said he was not a huge fan of being “landed with a motion on the fly”.

“Unfortunately I was unable to attend the workshop due to being ill, but I’m not sure whether this motion was discussed in the workshop, or, we are not allowed to discuss motions in workshops – whether this matter was discussed.

“But I’m not an enormous fan of being confronted without any costings, or thought or consideration or motions on the fly, so I won’t support the motion.”

Mrs Vickery asked Cr Ross: “Do you still want to make an amendment?”

Cr Ross indicated he did.

Cr Crossling asked if it would come back to council anyway?

Mrs Vickery: “If this (motion) gets passed, and we go to procurement, the tenders will come back to council for a final decision. So, you’re not committing yourself to anything in the budget.”

Based on that, Cr Dennis said he would rescind his previous statement.

Cr Ross  queried whether a “report like that” would be required.

A brief debate sparked between Cr Ross and Cr McGuire.

Mrs Vickery closed the debate and called for a vote, which was carried.

This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.