Alpine Opinion

Cittaslow

Posted in Alpine Shire Council, Bright Australia by Ray Dixon on 16 November, 2008

There's not a lot of visible support for Bright becoming an official 'slow town'

Despite all the publicity the promoters have given it, there's not a lot of visible support for Bright becoming an official 'slow town'.

Is Cittaslow a ‘no go’ for Bright?

I wasn’t going to bring this topic up because, as I said under my main election post titled ‘For better representation’:

I don’t believe there’s enough support in the community for council to seriously consider signing on to a set of Italian ‘principles’ that may impact on future planning applications and create unwarranted grounds of objection at VCAT. While some of the principles of Cittaslow are admirable the fact is that Bright is not a ’slow town’ and to ‘brand’ it one (which is what we’d be doing) is the wrong image for ‘Beautiful Bright’. That said, if it could be shown that a majority of the residents supported Bright becoming an official Cittaslow then that’s what will happen, regardless of what I believe. I doubt that will be the case though and, in my opinion, the only way that could be determined is by an official poll being conducted … and that costs money! I don’t really believe this is an election issue but I just want to make my views clear – or clearer.

It’s just that yesterday morning while I was assisting at the council’s Bright Framework Committee display in Ireland Street(*), several residents took the opportunity to voice their concerns with the Cittaslow idea - and they certainly weren’t coerced into saying something either.

It’s hardly a consensus view (yet!) but the message was clear enough. The concern is that the Cittaslow ‘group’, who consist of about 30 people it seems, are: “new to town”, “unknown” “appear self-interested”, “not in tune with the community” and are ”attempting to impose their views on others”. “We don’t want it”, was what I heard. 

* As a  member of The Bright Framework Committee I’m pleased to report that there was very positive feedback for the proposed works at Mafeking Square (the clock tower area), which will turn the area into an attractive, functional and usable pedestrian-friendly space.

2 comments

2 Responses

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  1. Lesley Hawkins said, on 16 November, 2008 at 5:10 pm

    Hi Ray,

    Good to know that if the majority want it, you have already declared you will go with the majority. I am concerned though that you are using a few people who have talked to you to come to the conclusion “I don’t believe there’s enough support in the community”.

    I certainly hope that you use better canvassing than this if you are elected. I guess it is one way for you to stimulate more posts on your blog. I certainly hope you did not use your membership of the committee for election purposes which is what I was afraid of all the time. I know most people who are pro Cittaslow and know your views on the subject would not have raised the issue with you.

    Lesley Hawkins (Bright)

  2. Ray Dixon (Bright) said, on 16 November, 2008 at 5:59 pm

    Lesley, I cannot make it any clearer than what I have said above: “if it could be shown that a majority of the residents supported Bright becoming an official Cittaslow then that’s what will happen, regardless of what I believe.” It’s plain english.

    And I certainly did not use my “membership of the committee for election purposes” and I was only on duty at one of the two events. Although a few other candidates made a habit of gatecrashing BOTH events in clear canvassing mode and even handed out their election flyers. Poor show.

    Maybe you should have come to the display and seen that (and the information) for yourself. You knew it was on.


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