PM Rudd visit: hundreds attend public forum

WIND farms and home births were on the agenda last night at the Community Cabinet Public Forum.Hundreds of community members and civic leaders filled the Ballarat High School gym to take part.Outside, anti-wind farm protesters lined Sturt St with their placards, sending their message loud and clear.Prime Minister Kevin Rudd led the forum, discussing the projects the Federal Government had helped implement in Ballarat and future plans.Questions from the floor covered topics from climate change and the youth allowance to housing affordability and transport.One woman discussed her experiences with Waubra Wind Farm and how it made her ill.Mr Rudd acknowledged her situation and said the Government aimed to get the balance right, to satisfy the people but ensuring communities were sustainable.Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon fielded queries from women concerned over their rights surrounding home births.After the forum, The Courier canvassed eight community leaders to discuss Cabinet's visit.They were all grateful for the opportunity to be heard, with little disappointment about the visit.Committee for Ballarat chief executive officer Doug Lloyd met with Mr Rudd to discuss sustainable water solutions for the region and the Ballarat West growth zone.He said the committee's suggestions were met with encouragement and follow-up invitations.Ballarat Child and Family Services acting chief executive officer Michael Brandenburgexpressed disappointment at not being able to receive the $2.5 million funding it needed to build its proposed Early Parenting Centre."We spoke to Bill Shorten about it ... the money isn't there," he said."We will keep pursuing it with our local member."Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions executive officer Lisa Kendal, who met with Climate Change and Water Minister Penny Wong, said it was a very positive experience to discuss local concerns around climate change."We got the opportunity to voice our position quite strongly," she said.