Bundagen Community leaves sour taste
submitted by Peter H
contact: community21@lycos.com
phone: sorry, no phone
Bundagen Community lies 20km south of Coffs Harbour on a petty, secluded coastline . It's now a dim reflection of itself. Leadership is poor. Of the 3 tenets -harmony, ecology and economy- only the last means anything today. The atmosphere is "incestuous". The VCA elicits great politicking from the "junta".
As a member of Bundagen Community
I feel very uncomfortable with what many residents see as a real loss of vision.
The bulk of the 800 acres (humans: 200) was purchased with great enthusiasm in 1981
to keep the land free of a resort development. The cost of $465,000
was financed solely by community-minded citizens.
Now that zeal for land and wildlife is waning.
Today little sense of oneness exists.
Community is seen as optional. Weeds are becoming virtually protected
species. Visitors are welcolmed with paranoia.
Currently, Bundagen is vigorously debating whether to sign a Voluntary
Conservation Agreement (VCA) with the State Minister for Environment.
This would lock up designated 'Conservation Areas' in perpetuity.
Under VCA, Bundagen is prevented from withdrawing from the 'Agreement'.
Some undeclared reduction in City Council rates on these areas is offered
as a carrot to members.
However, the VCA allows National Parks (NWPS) to use poisons and baits
on private land. The June 2002 iswsue of "Australian Landcare" expresses
landowner dissatisfaction with such Conservation Covenants.
Some Aboriginal elders have spoken out against NWPS management practices re abuse
of sites, etc. WWW.Smuggled.com alleges corruption within NWPS.
Whatever the real motives of NWPS and the State Government, VCA
is a cheap way to have management rights to the land.
Many Community members see National Parks as a group of boy scouts
who will kindly do the work of weeding and gardening for them. Not so!
Maybe instead of entering into VCA Bundagenites should consider
selling (part of) the land (or part) to eco-developers. 'Twould be more profitable for all !
401 McCabes Road
Repton 2454
community21@lycos.com
Told You So!
The "incestuous junta" you refer to I have long called "The Politburo", because they imitate perfectly the acretion of power by a group skilled in the techniques of buearocracy, just as pen-pushers created the Soviet State out of an egalitarian mass-movement of liberation. Let's not waste all this time in meaningless debate, I have it direct from one of the "inner circle", that the reason behind the push for the VCA was that "They" don't trust the motives or wisdom of other Bundagen members especially concerning the future of the "New Land". Convinced of their great wisdom and importance, they wanted to enlist the State of NSW to ensure that their particular vision shall be observed in perpetuaty. Of course this is arrogant and totally unacceptable, but what do you expect from "Professionals"?
What do you expect from those who spent their careers ordering children about? Wasn't one even a Headmaster? God forbid!
Not only has this qlique violated the Co-operative Act, but Federal Laws have also been violated for financial gain during their watch. As they are so loving of the laws of the "State" surely they will welcome prosecution against themselves for violation of government laws?
Perhaps every society needs a purge at the top every 20 years, just to get rid of the shit that accumulates there.
P.S. I have signed and returned a letter calling for the NPWS to reject the proposed VCA, sent to me by Dave F.
Ciao......Chris B.
The stench
Can you smell the flowers on Bundagen anymore through the stench of decay?
With the cry of 'you're either with us or against us', dissent is stifled, dissenters are demonised.
Welcome to our alternative community, where you have to sign on the dotted line, swear allegiance to the ruling clique and stop thinking for yourself if you want permission to stay.
Re: The stench
The incredibly sad passing of young P was another heartbreaking story.......there have been several similar incidents over the years, all telling psychic blows beyond measure.
Love to his family.