I thank the current mayor for his obviously heartfelt paternalistic concern about my decision not to run as a councillor. But perhaps his concern would be better served by redirecting it to the green and golden bell frogs whose habitats were destroyed by bulldozers. Could you please immediately explain to the environmentally concerned citizens of Maitland, Mr Blackmore, why — without consultation with its own Greening Plan Committee — your council permitted the construction of a concrete bridge across the habitat of a known endangered species at a time when scientists are begging for environmental responsibility.

Isn’t that taking “can do” a bit far?

Did the council consider its obligations under the ICLEI Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Program and “its desire to demonstrate leadership in environmental management and education, and to encourage more responsible behaviour throughout the wider community” before bringing in the scoops?

I would have thought it inconceivable that a responsible and environmentally considerate council could engage in such reckless and destructive behaviour in this day and age. Luckily, others apparently take the same view.

Is it correct that the Greening Plan Committee have said the concrete structure will have to go? If so, while you are explaining why your “can do” council “did”, perhaps you could also tell us how much it will cost to “undo”?

It’s hard to think of a clearer example of why I have called for an assets register that places a value on social and environmental assets and not just hard infrastructure. As I have said time and time again, we don’t want a “can-do” council if it only focuses on growth, development and furthering the interests of individual stakeholders but doesn’t identify and address the real social and environmental problems that affect us.

Those things are supposed to have at least an equal footing, according to the council’s own draft Community Strategic Plan, but looking at the council’s track record one wonders if the citizens of Maitland are treated any better than the green and golden bell frogs.