You will remember the game so far, last week the grounds had been well and truly paved by our taxation dollars with Government offers of a dirt cheap timber supply, Millions of dollars in Electricity subsidies, plus a $3 Million dollar bonus.
The Charr Team are experts in big business, armed with strategy advisers, public relations firms, big corporate dollars and all assisted by our own State Forest. Their job is to make calculated moves to get by the community.
The Charr team throws a low pass and enters into documentation with the "preferred site" owner, then a forward pass sees the ball head into serious business talks, with Senior Government Staff Members and State Forest. .. Its what they call an "Issues Meeting"! Their aim ? that all problems are recognised and ironed out before anyone in the community knows the game has started
Expert help for the their Team abounds. What about community consultation ? no worries! just "KEEP IT SIMPLE" !? and by another "HIRE A GOOD PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM" this is expensive stuff, remember we are paying for it. What about public opinion?, no worries ! just "HIRE A SITE GUARD, IT WILL BE A CONTENTIOUS ISSUE" yep! that's it folks, we, the community may have theaudacity to rise up against their plans, but they will be ready for us with guards! Wonderful!
There is one foul up, a ball unexpectedly bounces wide and yes, there has been a leak, someone has heard of plans for a charcoal factory.! better call the strategy expert for help. ... How do we handle this? -that is easy. "don't say anything till we get back to you"!
OK! here it is, these are the words, "Tell them as little as possible, say we understand that the Company is still looking in Victoria and we know nothing more". Do they do it ? yes they do. Does it work? yes it does.
Enter now a new team player, don't miss this move folks, its a senior staffer from DUAP, but wait, can it be ? yes it is! its the Umpire! ..Is this the adviser to the consent authority Minister at a Meeting?. Is this fair play or all in a days work?
At last the Charr Team makes the move to brief the Local Councillors and pass on all the factory details, but also lets throw a ball and say that it is "already State Significant" lets tell them that its too late and the project is out of their hands.
Polish this off with a press release to the public, but watch the direction the Company press release comes from folks, via NSW State Forest ! -How is this possible ? Is it possible a Government Department is in bed with big private enterprise?
To be continued:- Community Consultation and the yellow uprising.
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