Special Meeting (GM Canola)

of the recent Electors Survey on GM Crops.

As a result the following motion was carried:

“That the Shire of Williams write to the Premier to ask the State Government to use its powers to declare that no GM canola be allowed to be grown in our municipality for the next three years.
Carried 5/2”

The Council have based their decision on the survey results which were as follows:
640 surveys were sent to electors
35% answered 'Yes'
13% answered 'No'
52% didn't respond

Council received a 48% response rate to the survey which is equivalent to the elector turnout at Council elections. From the 48% of respondents an overwhelming number of 72% answered “Yes” to both questions.

It was also agreed to take no action on question 2 as the moratorium on GM Canola is still in place and therefore requesting the State Government to extend to the ban is not relevant at this time.

The Shire of Williams have not taken this decision lightly and thank the people that did take the time to respond to the survey and make additional comments.