Councillor lashes out over logging decision

By Melissa Meehan
COUNCILLOR Maria Sampey has lashed out at her fellow councillors following their decision to reject her motion that the council not support logging in water catchments.
During this week’s council meeting, Cr Sampey put forward her motion to support 15 other municipalities around Victoria and urge State government to consider ceasing logging in those areas.
A self confessed Labor supporter, Cr Sampey spoke out against the Brumby Government’s policy on logging and urged her fellow councillors to do the same.
“I feel we need to support our neighbouring councils including the Yarra Ranges, Kingston, Bayside and Frankston by declaring a stance against logging in water catchments.
“The government needs to do something and we need to show our support” Cr Sampey said.
Councillor Roz Blades said she could not support the motion citing the chance of flow-on effects on jobs in the area of Greater Dandenong if logging in the catchments was banned.
“Since the Melbourne Water Catchment Network came to visit us, the recession has been on its way and I just have too much respect for families who may lose their jobs,” Cr Blades said.
After the meeting Cr Sampey spoke to Star voicing her anger that the majority of councillors had chosen to “once again toe the party line”.
“I understand that it is close to the elections, and that a lot of councillors are controlled by a member of parliament,” Cr Sampey said.
“But they should have every right to protest and stand up for what they believe in.
“They shouldn’t be puppets.”