Rosemary Cousin for Tarwin Valley

Happy 88th birthday to our founder Dr. Jane Goodall !! Today, on April 3rd, 2022, we celebrate the 88th birthday of Dr. Jane Goodall, a woman who for over 60+ years has inspired and motivated millions of people around the globe to live in greater harmony with nature and to take action on behalf of the planet we share. In honor of Jane and , join us in building a cross-generational movement of people who resolve to make the planet we share a better place for all through supporting indigenous and community-led restoration, protection, and regeneration of global forests.

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What Santa brought us this Christmas?
I hear you ask in an excited way
What did Santa bring you on Christmas Day?
Well let me tell you, you’ll be quite amazed
That Santa is teched up and not at all phased
by new technology, no not at all
We feel quite privileged and proud to recall

As we all sat around at the stroke of midday
Our Christmas feast all on display
A heartening beep came from my mobile phone
Such pleasure to know that we are not alone
Telstra had called to tell us, hooray
We can view our phone bill online right away

We must report that we ignored our gift
But answers to questions we tried to sift
Has Santa joined Telstra, did he need a job?
What about those who joined the YES mob?
We’ll look at our phone bill some other day
And bless those who called us this Christmas day

Photo - Great Southern Rail Trail users and Rosemary Cousin like the initiative to reduce speed to 40km in the Heart of Leongatha

KAMIKAZE CORNER – A Fresh Approach needed by the newly elected Council
After further conversations with the community and taking the highly unusual step of consulting with all candidates standing in this election, I’ve summarised a fresh approach that is needed to address the road safety hazards in the Roughead Street Intersection Area - the Heart of Leongatha 40km.
Even though the western section of the GSRT is not yet officially opened, in my conversations with so many during this election campaign, the problems of KAMIKAZE CORNER- Leongatha’s Roughead Street Intersection Area, have been raised time and time again. The Friends of the GSRT recently submitted a petition signed by over 900 people at the Administrator’s last meeting. Danny O’Brien, the Local Member, has formed his own “solution” which he is now championing in Parliament.
So far, these well intentioned efforts have not elevated the safety hazards in KAMIKAZE CORNER for the specific attention of the two Victorian Ministers who have direct responsibility: the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and the Minister for Regional Development.
There are so many different opinions about how to “solve the problem”, but really when you delve into it, there are quite a few problems here; and there has been a very long history of ad hoc funding and changes that have led to the current hazardous state of the Roughead Street Intersection Area and channelled heavy vehicle traffic through the heart of Leongatha.
Given that there are many problems to fix in the Roughead Street Intersection Area, the short and long-term solution/s are also likely to need a multi-layered approach:
1. Newly elected Councillors need to be urgently and fully briefed about the problems in the Roughed Intersection Area, about Council’s and VicRoads work programs; about the project-scope and obligations under various State and Federal funds underway and newly secured for South Gippsland; and about the Shire’s efforts to date in advocating on behalf of the community for their wellbeing now and in the future.
2. Newly elected councillors will need to take a helicopter view of complex problems such as KAMIKAZE CORNER and reframe the narrative. The type of dialogue that is needed is not suited to the motion-driven, constrained debate of a formal council meeting. Rather, a strategic view is needed by Council, with some open-ended dialogue that is more exploratory, inquisitive and takes a fresh approach to listening to both the public and the professionals. So, perhaps a Panel Hearing approach might be adopted by the new Council, to help councillors and professionals to listen, deliberate with open-minds, and, giving careful attention to budgets and duties of care, find solutions that do not create more problems than they solve.
3. That’s all good, but community safety is at risk right now, and the problem will grow as pandemic lockdowns lift. So, a long-drawn-out process is inadequate. An immediate advocacy the newly elected Council can take is to draw the safety issues in the Roughead Street Intersection Area to the attention of the Minister for Regional Development and the Minister for Roads and Road Safety and advocate for VicRoads to immediately change the speed limits for all traffic in the heart of Leongatha to 40km/hr (retaining the 20km left and right hand bend restriction at Roughead Street – which appears only to relate to trucks) and install much more extensive and better placed directional signage. Slower speed limits and clearer road traffic directions is a low cost-immediate action that can vastly help reduce safety hazards while effective longer-term solutions can be found.
Rosemary Cousin
Tarwin Valley Ward candidate endorsed by the Greens
70 Mirboo Yarragon Road, Allambee South Vic 3871 Mob 0408958025
Photo - Great Southern Rail Trail users and Rosemary Cousin like the initiative to reduce speed to 40km in the Heart of Leongatha

I just posted this on the Mirboo North Times page in response to a "message to voters" from Danny O'Brien, MLA. Have a look at this extraordinary intervention in our local Council election and DIRECTION to South Gippsland Council voters to vote against me, which I've included below my response. There is another two weeks to lodge votes, and about a third of voters across the Shire are caught up in the unprecedented loss of nearly 10,000 voter packs. This is what I wrote in response to Danny O'Brien:
"...Voters could be forgiven for thinking that Danny O’Brien is running as a candidate in the South Gippsland Council election. Mr O’Brien has had more election advertising than most of the candidates put together. Who funds this advertising extravaganza? Is it the Victorian taxpayers or is it donors who are seeking to buy influence in this local council election?
I feel that Danny O’Brien is treating South Gippsland as his personal fiefdom. He has now taken the extraordinary step of directing voters in the South Gippsland Council election against me, explicitly. What do you have to be afraid of about me Mr O’Brien? My integrity is strong and I have publicly written about my experience in my 9 months on the last Council. I have done so, thoughtfully, honestly and reflectively on many occasions. I was the only one specifically spoken of well in State Parliament during the dismissal debate – you attended this debate and should know that.
I do not buckle under bullying behaviour. I proved this when I was on the last Council and have continued to prove this when faced with scurrilous innuendos during this election campaign.
I believe that your behaviour in acting like the Laird of the Strzelecki Hills estate, in directing everyone under your purview to do as you say, has a strong resemblance to political interference in the governance of the Shire. Mr O’Brein you should be very careful about the extent to which this lairdship behaviour continues – an old practice of lairds was to claim the maidenhead of all newly married women.
Please stop interfering. Stand back Mr O’Brien and let South Gippsland voters make their own judgement. Let South Gippsland Council have a clean and respectful local government election. There is no need for political bullying and posturing. I will be making a complaint to the Local Government Inspectorate about your highly questionable behaviour in this Council election.
Rosemary Cousin
Tarwin Valley Ward candidate endorsed by the Greens
70 Mirboo Yarragon Road, Allambee South Vic 3871
Mob 0408958025 email: [email protected]; fb Rosemary Cousin for Tarwin Valley

Danny O’Brien post on Mirboo North Times page October 12 2021
SG Shire election
After just over two years of administrators in charge, ballot papers are arriving in letterboxes for the election of new councillors at the Shire of South Gippsland.
The election, which is by postal ballot which must be in the mail by October 22, is a chance for a fresh start after the chaos of the previous council which was dismissed by this Parliament in 2019.

While I strongly supported that decision, I did so with a heavy heart, as one never wishes to see local democracy curtailed.
Now is the chance for local residents and ratepayers to start anew. There are some excellent candidates in the three wards, giving good choice to all voters. I thank all candidates for stepping forward to take part in local democracy.

It is not my practice to recommend how residents should vote.
But I do hope that people will remember the chaos and dysfunction of the previous council, including those councillors who were only there for a short time but who were also the target of criticism by the Commission of Inquiry, especially over the appointment of a CEO shortly before the Council was dismissed.
We do not need any of the dismissed councillors re-elected. We must put the division, discord and conflict behind us.
I also caution voters to carefully consider the topics candidates are campaigning on or making promises about. Councils have a clear role to support their communities and provide local infrastructure and services – they should not be distracted on national and international political causes that are beyond their remit.
Vote for candidates who will be focussed on roads, rubbish and rates, not those grandstanding on political topics, or seeking to re-write history.
-Danny O'Brien.

Hi, I’m Rosemary Cousin, an Organic farmer, planner and businesswoman experienced in all aspects of good governance. WHY VOTE FOR ME? This is the first of my 5 Top Priorities for a positive Council in South Gippsland:
1. Council business to be transparent, responsive, proactive and collegiate
ALL ASPECTS OF COUNCIL BUSINESS, NEED TO APPLY PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPARENCY AND RESPONSIVENESS IN COUNCIL MEETINGS AND ACROSS THE SHIRE’S DAY TO DAY BUSINESS.
Public notification of Council’s business and services now is via website and facebook and newspaper ads, but many across the Shire don’t regularly get the paper, have poor or no internet services and rely upon mail or landline or mobile to connect. There are telecommunications black spots everywhere. The Administrators have locked down public participation and changed meeting procedures that reduce public opportunities to receive answers to their questions.
I’ll ask Council to open its meetings to the public and hold meetings on a rotational basis in different localities; and introduce a quarterly Council newsletter to ratepayers.
I’ll ask Council to request the CEO to take immediate steps to set out and implement principles of transparency and responsiveness across all Council’s business; and advise Council about changes necessary to implement these principles including: (i) local laws and policies (ii) public communications strategy and procedures; and (iii) councillor and staff codes of conduct.
I’ll ask Council to advocate regionally and nationally for telecommunications services to be improved across the Shire.
I’ll ask Council to request improvements in the Shire’s Risk and Audit procedures including implementation of outstanding recommendations for contracts probity and planning service improvements.

If you want to talk about voting, contact me: M: 0408958025 E: [email protected]
Rosemary Cousin, Tarwin Valley Ward candidate endorsed by the Greens, 70 Mirboo Yarragon Road, Allambee South Vic 3871

Hi, I’m Rosemary Cousin, an Organic farmer, planner and businesswoman experienced in all aspects of good governance. WHY VOTE FOR ME? This is the second of my 5 Top Priorities for a positive Council in South Gippsland:
2. Dangerous intersections, road network and public transport improvements
THE SHIRE’S MOST DANGEROUS INTERSECTION IN LEONGATHA MUST BE FIXED QUICKLY AND A PERMANENT SOLUTION FOUND. ROAD NETWORKS, ROADSIDES AND PATHWAYS AND THE WAY THEY ARE MANAGED ACROSS THE SHIRE NEEDS A FRESH APPROACH.
One of South Gippsland’s most dangerous and poorly designed intersections in Leongatha lets heavy vehicles clash with shopper traffic and the popular Great Southern Rail Trail walkers, bike and horse riders who must cross here.
I will ask Council to advocate for the Victorian Government to give TOP PRIORITY for IMMEDIATE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS at the Leongatha intersection such as temporary traffic lights; and help fund an urgent Special investigation into heavy vehicle routes and dangerous road intersections including Rail Trail crossings across the Shire to avoid ad hoc traffic solutions that create more problems than they solve.
I will ask Council to develop an Advocacy Action Plan to DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS in public transport and the management of the road network across the Shire, with a focus on the safety and management of intersections, improving the quality and cost effectiveness of roadworks and repairs, line-marking, speed restrictions and signage; and better managing roadsides and pathways across the Shire.
I will advocate for Council to take a Proactive Risk Management of road hazards with improved public engagement and information.
If you want to see all five of my priorities or talk through any uncertainties you may have about voting, feel free to contact me:
If you want to talk about voting, contact me: M: 0408958025 E: [email protected]
Rosemary Cousin, Tarwin Valley Ward candidate endorsed by the Greens, 70 Mirboo Yarragon Road, Allambee South Vic 3871

Hi, I’m Rosemary Cousin, an Organic farmer, planner and businesswoman experienced in all aspects of good governance. WHY VOTE FOR ME? This is the third of my 5 Top Priority for a positive Council in South Gippsland:
3. A Climate and Biodiversity Declaration
TEMPERATURE AND RAINFALL EXTREMES AND MORE FREQUENT NATURAL DISASTERS ARE AFFECTING COMMUNITY WELLBEING AND BIODIVERSITY, PRODUCTIVITY AND THE SHIRE’S ECONOMY.
The Local Government Act requires Council to promote actions on Climate Change. Making a Climate and Biodiversity Crisis Declaration recognizes the impacts on the Shire’s productivity and community from extreme weather events, rising temperatures and more frequent natural disasters.
Climate change is affecting everyone in the Shire and everything the Shire does: from maintaining roads and infrastructure, running tips, managing parks and gardens, securing water and energy supplies, protecting communities from extreme weather events and other natural disasters, and managing disaster recovery support.
Recognizing this we can collaborate to better protect our communities in adverse times.
Recognizing this we can build hope and resilience for a positive future and better advocate for government support when its needed.
Recognizing this we can see what we dispose - our “rubbish” - contains valuable resources from which we can generate income and jobs.
Recognizing this we can advocate for more stand-alone energy supplies and better telecommunications services to keep our homes and production going.
Recognizing this our parks and gardens team can help increase biodiversity and we can collaborate to protect our natural assets.
Recognizing this we can collaborate to better protect our coastlines and coastal communities from erosion and storm damage.
Recognizing this we can take small and big steps to reduce carbon and greenhouse gases that fuel climate change. Every bit we do helps create a positive future!
Recognizing this we can help secure a positive future for ourselves and all of our children’s, children’s, children.
See Council's legal responsibilities to adapt to climate change athttps://www.climatechange.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0030/490476/Local-Government-Roles-and-Responsibilities-for-Adaptation-under-Victorian-Legislation_Guidance-Brief.pdf
If you want to talk about voting, contact me: M: 0408958025 E: [email protected]
Rosemary Cousin, Tarwin Valley Ward candidate endorsed by the Greens, 70 Mirboo Yarragon Road, Allambee South Vic 3871

www.climatechange.vic.gov.au

Hi, I’m Rosemary Cousin, an Organic farmer, planner and businesswoman experienced in all aspects of good governance. WHY VOTE FOR ME? This is the fourth of my 5 Top Priority for a positive Council in South Gippsland:
4. Covid Recovery Action to form part of Council’s Community Health and Wellbeing Plan and Council Plan OUR COMMUNITY AND ECONOMY HAVE SUFFERED HEAVILY FROM THE PANDEMIC AND HOPE AND OPTIMISM URGENTLY NEED TO BE LIFTED
To revitalise the local economy and create job opportunities I’ll advocate for a MADE-LOCAL, BUY-LOCAL program.
To help those in exceptional circumstances I’ll advocate for a RATES AND SERVICES HARDSHIP POLICY with criteria to obtain a reasonable rate and service fee waiver and temporary permits while long term approvals are in place.
To help those in immediate housing crisis and manage the Shire’s longer term population growth I’ll advocate for Council to host a HOUSING SUMMIT and prepare a TOWNSHIP AND LOCALITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY.
To promote tourism arts, recreation, arts and culture I’ll advocate to REINVIGORATE performances, festivals, farmers and makers markets and festivals in venues and SPRUCE UP localities, sporting venues and community houses across the Shire.
To build community and heal country I’ll advocate for Council to collaborate in RECONCILIATION projects, host a Youth Council and Older person working group.

If you want to talk about voting, contact me: M: 0408958025 E: [email protected]
Rosemary Cousin, Tarwin Valley Ward candidate endorsed by the Greens, 70 Mirboo Yarragon Road, Allambee South Vic 3871
Photo: This photo was taken at the Meeniyan Farmers Market in 2019.

Hi, I’m Rosemary Cousin, an Organic farmer, planner and businesswoman experienced in all aspects of good governance. WHY VOTE FOR ME? This is my fifth Top Priority for a positive Council in South Gippsland:
5. Looking after the Shire’s Natural Assets: Protection of Water Supplies and Regeneration of Biodiversity and Degraded Landscapes SOUTH GIPPSLAND’S TOURISM, AGRICULTURE AND LIFESTYLE RELIES ON NATURAL ASSETS AND THEY NEED CAREFUL ATTENTION. I’ll request Council to Advocate for Nature Conservation Reserves to be established in key areas of the Shire; Collaborate with government bodies and private landowners to regenerate biodiversity in water catchments and degraded landscapes; and Advocate for improved natural disaster preparedness for and response capacity.
State Forests contain some of the last remnants of Strzelecki Ranges biodiversity. They play a key role in protecting the quality and supplies of water. The Mirboo North community successfully stopped logging in its State Forest. Look at its citizen science Forest Report (https://vnpa.org.au/mirboo-north-forests/). But these native forests ARE NOT YET PROTECTED in a Nature Conservation Reserve. Climate change is challenging our remaining forests and biodiversity, and those who live close-by. Council has a critical role to play in natural disaster-preparedness and response.
If you want to talk about voting, contact me at M: 0408958025 E: [email protected]
Rosemary Cousin, Tarwin Valley Ward candidate endorsed by the Greens, 70 Mirboo Yarragon Road, Allambee South Vic 3871,
Photo: This photo was taken by the Mirboo North team bringing supplies to some of East Gippsland's remote communities on 12 January 2020.