Fortune Walks Out On Three Trouts Vote

Latest press release from Councillor Tom Fortune, issued on Friday, December 18th 2020…

Cllr Tom Fortune left the December meeting of Greystones Municipal District in protest following the passing of a Part 8 proposal for a controversial site at Three Trout Stream.

What made it even more disgusting for Fortune was the lack of concern for the residents of Burnaby Lawns, Court, Avenue and Millbrook. The councillor stated his belief that when something is wrong it is just plain wrong. It should not have been on the agenda.

Addressing the meeting, Fortune said, “Chair, I put it to you and the director that we should not be discussing this item. This has been before the court. This is all proven evidence. The evidence in that court case established the premise for the Garda investigation. And members should please read the court transcript; how can anyone make a decision tonight if they have not done this?.

“I ask the director, is he saying that false evidence was given to the court or are you wrong? Both can not be right.”

“Precedent is that councillors have asked questions on issues that were under Garda investigation and in all these instances were told that ‘ as there is a Garda investigation we can not discuss.’ I have experienced this at the KWETB. So what is going on here. “

“Ground Water – The Sugarloaf is the source of the Three Trout. You have fast flow, it takes ten hours to come from the Sugarloaf to Three Trout. Mill Lane has a very high run off; there was once a lake there. The Nolan/Irwin land has a 60 degree pitch and a 30 degree pitch. The site in question has a 25 degree pitch. Also when you concrete, you have zero permeability. The golf course has a 25 degree pitch. As a result, The Burnaby is a sink hole – like a sponge.

There is a history of flooding, where are the reports that have been requested, why are we not listening to the residents? Why are we not paying attention to the ABP inquiry? The residents require sumps in their gardens. Years ago when the Mill race was run, it went up Mill Lane, and turned around by the tennis club at the back of council depot. I am reliably informed that the proposed bridge is a no/no. There needs to be a full assessment following heavy rain; it needs to be checked the following day and the day after. Have we a record of having done this?”

“Charlesland has problems with drains; sewerage keeps blocking up. Speaking of drains, can anyone tell how water is going to go uphill? Has anyone at this meeting looked at the YouTube video Three Trout Stream?

“All of this is so unfair to the residents of Burnaby Lawns, Burnaby Court, Burnaby Avenue and Millbrook. Would everyone at this meeting tonight accept what is being proposed if they lived in this housing development? Should this housing development have been built in the first place? Residents believe the dampness coming from the land where their houses are built is an ongoing health hazard. This needs full investigation. Residents cannot get flood insurance because insurance companies say it is a flood plain. Again, I ask would anyone at this meeting tonight accept this situation? I doubt it very much”

“This was zoned as an amenity green area when it was purchased. Chair, I understand you supported that it remain in this status, you mailed about it, but you supported the proposal that was before our last meeting. I understand you also leaflet dropped part of Charlesland saying you would ensure that there would be no exit through Charlesland. I understand that Charlesland is not taken in charge, why is this, how much levies are we holding? Can this be clarified. So why do we not think that the residents of Burnaby Lawn, Court, Avenue and Millbrook deserve the same fairness?”

Fortune later in the discussion proposed a solution saying, “I believe there is a constructive and positive way to deal with what is before us. I propose an integrated plan, combine this site with the adjoining 22 acres and turn this site into a park with abundance of biodiversity. This would be a win win for every one. If we do not do this then this proposal needs to be the subject of a full oral hearing.”

This proposal was defeated 3 votes to 2. Which really is unreal, members cannot have read the info in the public domain on this piece of land. The Part 8 proposal was then voted on and was passed by 3 votes to 2. One member was unable to make meeting.

Fortune left the meeting at this point saying, “What has gone on here tonight is disgusting.”

Aerial video shot by Hawkeye Flyer, September 2020. Follow on YouTube here. Cllrs Tom Fortune and Mags Crean voted against the development; Cllrs Derek Mitchell, Jodie Neary and Gerry Walsh voted in favour, whilst Lourda Scott was absent. You can read/download Cllr Gerry Walsh’s Facebook post of Friday 18th on the matter here, and Cllr Derek Mitchell’s statement of Saturday 19th here.