People power has the numbers

IT can be easy to slip into a cynical mind frame when it comes to fighting bureaucracy.

In any power imbalance, many people can fall into the trap of thinking there is no point in standing up for your beliefs when faced with imposing opposition.

But if there is one thing Geelong people have learned over the past 12 months, it is the value of people power.

The almost certain closure of the Highton, Chilwell and Barwon Heads libraries was staved off in June after a prolonged and wellorganised community campaign.

The City of Greater Geelong came to the decision to close the three libraries, citing declining user numbers and financial pressure because of enforced rate capping.

But they soon discovered that numbers don’t always tell the story, with the depth of community angst at the decision manifesting in a series of protest rallies, petitions bearing more than 6000 signatures, and a letter-writing campaign that turned the tide of public sentiment.

It is a similar story in our north with the news that the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has ruled against the controversial 14,000-goat farm at Moorabool and 4500-goat supporting farm at Lara.

A small group of local residents have been fighting the proposed Nuchev facilities since the project was first announced in September 2015.

Despite winning both City of Greater Geelong and EPA approval last year, the objectors continued to fight the proposal on the basis of health risks and the site being too small to house so many goats. This week their fight was vindicated when VCAT agreed and overturned the approvals.

While there is every chance the project may still continue in an amended form, the decision shows that we still have a system where the community’s voice can and will be heard.

And that much can be gained when a group of people band together to fight for something they believe in.