The Bega Valley Shire Residents & Ratepayers Association (BVSRRA) maintains strong links & common interests in Local Government with our cousins across the Victorian border in East Gippsland, through the East Gippsland Community Action Group.
The following piece was written by Linette Treasure, a member of the group’s Management Committee & contains more than a few similarities with Beg Valley Shire Council.
Like a sort of drive-in drive-out democracy, Shire Council Elections have cycled round again...
DECAYED DEMOCRACY ...
A record 39 candidates stood at the last Council election. The catch cry was “Change – for lower rates and transparent processes.” For years there had been growing public frustration and by 2016 the Council had hit an all-time low. Hidden behind confidentially imposed by the CEO, warring councillors lodged serious allegations against each other. And when some leaked to the press, Cr Buckley who had not been involved, became distraction and scapegoat. A parody of investigation followed which was to cost rate and tax payers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Sadly the new Council did not bring change and continued rating to the max. Even more restrictions to public engagement were introduced with hearing times cut to three minutes and a big telescreen purchased with warning seconds ticking down. To expect serious issues to be responsibly presented in three minutes is a parody.
A further blow to democracy was changing alternative Council meetings to daytimes, inhibiting participation of working persons to be councillors.
The council, despite huge public concern, turned a blind eye to potential devastation to East Gippsland from a proposed mineral sand mine at Glenaladale.
New councillors need to understand and commit to changing processes of the closed culture. Rather than a gagged herd, we need strong individuals to represent us.
Councillors need to open and respond to their own mail, compose their own speeches and respectfully present diverse opinion in open debate.
We want to hear individual councillor’s opinions rather than having whole-of-council spin sifted to the public.
Individuals need to focus on analysis of issues rather than spend so much time socialising. (The mayor is well paid for that.)
The cost of governance is a heavy burden with too many minders controlling the show. This department needs to be seriously reduced.
There is an over-use of expensive lawyers, often to cover ineptitude of staff.
Closed briefing session need to be opened to the public so that undue influence is not exerted by senior staff or bully power. These sessions are where most decisions are worked out so that Council presents in public as ‘a united team.’
With the previous CEO there was an overuse of confidentially and power over councillors (eg: interference with councillors’ Notices of Motion.)
There is an urgent need for councillors to be in control, to take more responsibility, individually and collectively, and seriously limit a CEO’s financial discretionary power.
East Gippsland is one of the poorest areas in the State and yet our rates are among the highest. We cannot afford this present system!
Administration has grown exponentially as has remuneration to senior staff. We need councillors to realize they should limit programs that are the responsibility of State or Federal Government.
Be wary of candidates espousing too many utopian developments. East Gippsland cannot afford the extravagance and inefficiency that has developed since amalgamation.
Our people are suffering and they are angry.
I believe that new blood is essential if our decayed democracy is to revive.
John Richardson
Secretary/Treasurer
Bega Valley Shire Residents & Ratepayers Association
Tel: 0264945669
Email: secretary@begavalleyshireratepayers.asn.au
Website: http://www.begavalleyshireratepayers.asn.au