In search of a vibrant shire
We need a mayor you can rely on and a council you can trust.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
I want to make the shire a vibrant place, where people of any age can find good local jobs with better recreational, entertainment, health, education and community care services, while retaining the natural environmental beauty and relaxed atmosphere of this unique part of NSW.
It’s possible to make Eurobodalla a better place to live, work and play, at lower costs to ratepayers, by creating a more efficient, responsive and imaginative council which adopts a “can do” approach and encourages constructive development. I want a council which is your friend, not your enemy. Touncil must live within its residents’ means. No “special rate variations” to fund unnecessary works.
Big jobs like roads and bridges need to stick to budget and timetable. The bat plague in Batemans Bay should have been dealt with years ago. I will do everything possible to protect all residents, wherever they live.
Sea level rise is a real issue, but the council has approached it the wrong way. I wouldn’t impose draconian restrictions on renovations and repairs just because something might happen in 100 years.
I would build on our natural assets and ensure visitors have plenty to occupy them, without allowing the area to a Gold Coast. We need to encourage more businesses to provide services and jobs. Our kids shouldn’t have to go to Sydney, or Canberra, and tradesmen shouldn’t have to drive to Eden or Nowra.
The council should develop a “light touch” on planning and approval issues. I would establish mechanisms to allow residents to appeal against unfair administrative actions.
We’re all entitled to know our rates are being spent wisely and responsibly.
Milton Leslight
Community Action Alliance mayoral candidate
Batehaven
Declaring interests
In his final column (Bay Post/Moruya Examiner, August 17) Mayor Lindsay Brown made special mention of the state and federal local members for their support over his term as mayor.
Could it be assumed that it is the Liberal Party Mayor Brown was referring to? I am not saying Mayor Brown should not thank his Liberal supporters. Transparency matters!
Many people are under the misconception that local government is non–political, that unlike State and Federal elections, when we vote for a council candidate we are voting for an individual/group, not a political party. This is not true. Local government is political.
As a Labor candidate in the Eurobodalla Shire Council September 10 election, I am passionate about social justice, equality and advocacy. Community welfare should not be sacrificed for business-as-usual, narrow, vested interests. An inclusive community is in everyone interest.
As is ensuring that our pristine water ways, estuaries, coastline, national parks, ecosystems and water supply are protected.
In the name of transparency it would be helpful for the voting public to know what political party and world view would be influencing candidates’ decisions making if elected to the council.
Maureen Searson
Catalina
Country Labor candidate
Council ethics training proposed
Community VOICE Eurobodalla supports the institution of ethics training seminars for Eurobodalla Shire Councillors within three months of being elected.
The training should also include senior staff. Residents are entitled to expect the conduct of councillors and staff will be in accordance with the highest standards of good conduct in public administration.
Their conduct must be ethical, fair, honest and transparent and they must at all times comply with both the letter and the spirit of the law. Ethical behaviour is essential for citizens to trust their council and, without that level of trust, a healthy, cohesive community is impossible.
We support steps to ensure councillors understand ethical issues and the reason why maximum transparency and accountability is so important. We know from experience of watching the council over the past four years that some past councillors would seem to have had a flexible attitude to ethical decision making.
We have noted that the NSW Opposition Leader, Luke Foley, has proposed to undertake ethics training for all Labor Party councillors. We support such training for all councillors regardless of the political affiliations, and suggest that it be carried out by relevant state government agencies.
Peter Cormick
CVE candidate
Moruya
Time for spring clean
Spring is usually the time we ‘spring clean’ our houses.
Why not clean out the local councillors and put some fresh new talent in? Start by eliminating those who voted to hold an arms fair on crown land. There are only four standing again, so ask them. Did you vote for Huntfest? Three will have to answer yes and one will say he couldn’t vote because he had a “conflict of interest”.
Ask about policies on leadership; accountability; transparency; communication and consultation; economic development; employment; safety, health and well being; caring for our natural environment; what they know about social impact and how decisions might affect the community. They are there to serve us. Not the other way around.