UP to 200 people reportedly gathered at Starfish Deli in Batemans Bay on Thursday night to discuss concerns about Eurobodalla Shire Council.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It is understood the meeting centered on growing unrest about council management and was by invitation only, comprising primarily business owners.
The Bay Post/Moruya Examiner was not invited to attend, nor was the Batemans Bay Chamber of Commerce.
Eurobodalla Councillor Milton Leslight has confirmed to the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner he had a hand in organising the meeting, but would not comment on the record about the event without first meeting with his advisers and preparing a press release.
The Bay Post/Moruya Examiner contacted two others believed to be have been involved, but was told to direct all enquiries about the meeting to Cr Leslight.
It is understood that on the meeting's agenda was council's apparent disregard for community consultation, its proposed rate rise, sea-level rise policy, the North Street traffic lights in Batemans Bay and the Local Environment Plan.
One Batemans Bay businessman who attended the meeting said he was made aware of it by phone "a few weeks ago".
He estimated there were more than 150 people present and several motions put forward at the meeting were unanimously supported.
While he agreed with many of the concerns raised about how council was run, the businessman also questioned the openness and transparency of the meeting.
"Issues weren't explained to people enough for them to have enough knowledge to form an opinion," he said.
He also said the event should have been advertised if it was to be a genuine community meeting.