Water Police Site - News on Security Services Upsets SHFA
The Friends of Pyrmont Point media release on the antics of SHFA about security arrangements surrounding the public rally on 26 October has upset SHFA to the extent that CEO, Dr Rob Lang has asked that "inaccuracies" about the amount and cost of security be removed from the Friends of Pyrmont Point website.
During Parliamentary question time on 30 October the Member for the Southern Highlands, Peta Seaton, asked The Minister, Craig Knowles, about the nature and cost of additional staff or services in relation to the public protest about SHFA's plans to hand the Water Police Site to developers.
The question was asked because locals reported that security guards (apparently in anticipation of the public rally planned for 26 October) were observed patrolling the site, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from 25 October and remained until after 20 November. The total cost would have been in excess of $12,000.
Mr Knowles replied "I am advised that a security officer was stationed at Elizabeth Macarthur Bay from 5 pm , 25 h October 2003 until 5 pm. 26 October 2003 and that the total cost of this service was $912, at a rate of $38 per hour".
Dr. Lang states that Peta Seton's question related to "the planned community protest" on 25 October (it was actually on 26 October) and that the Minister's answer is therefore factually correct.
In place of the media release we have inserted Dr Lang's letter. People can judge for themselves whether SHFA has spent more that $912 of public money on security arrangements because of community anger over its plans for the site.
Friends of Pyrmont Point stands by its claim that SHFA has wastefully expended public funds on security from 25 October to 23 November and notes that 24 hour security coverage has not been reinstated since it ceased on 23 November.
