A power vacuum has emerged in the Batemans Bay business chamber, with no-one stepping up to lead at the AGM - and the outgoing executive blaming poor relations with Eurobodalla Shire Council.
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Batemans Bay Business and Tourism Chamber adjourned its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, August 7, for two weeks when no nominations were received for the presidency.
Outgoing president David Maclachlan left with guns blazing, aimed squarely towards Eurobodalla Shire Council.
"We have been undermined, ignored and marginalised," he told the meeting at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club. Those sentiments were in keeping with comments he made in a written statement previously circulated to all members.
"We have no nominations because it is just too damned hard dealing with council," he told Wednesday's meeting.
"We have had a pretty tough year but we have been a very united executive."
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However Mr Machlachlan conceded some of the poor relationship was down to him, as his role as an advocate had not always been successful
"I bear some responsibility", he said..
Sometimes, he admitted, "you push too hard".
Relations with the council and the outgoing executive may have reached an all-time low, but if the chamber can elect a new executive, retiring officials say the atmosphere will improve.
"I have no doubt that council will have a different attitude when I am gone and when we have a new chamber," Mr Machlachlan said.
"There are good people in the council and we need to foster good relationships."
Outgoing vice-president Paul Biddlestone agreed.
"The issue with the council will go away with us going away," he said..
"It has been fairly brutal at times, but we believe that is just about done."
Outgoing committee member and former president Alan Rutherford warned any new committee would need to be united.
"We have some heated discussions, but we always come to a position we can agree on.
"If they (the council) can find a way to wedge, they will do that.
"If you are putting your hand up, please be aware that you will need to work with a united front."
Mr Biddlestone said the executive had set out to "bring the focus to the Bay" and had "rattled some cages".
Some of the friction with the council was "brought upon ourselves", but the Bay gained.
"Okay we have ruffled a few feathers, but the Bay is now getting some attention," Mr Biddlestone said.
"We have not pulled punches. We have not targeted anyone, but we have targeted our area."
However, he said that strategy had risks, alluding to possible negative consequences of a poor relationship with the council.
"For some of us it had a flip side, because of where we worked," he said.
Mr Biddlestone said it was time for a re-set.
"I have done four years and I have had enough," he said.
Despite the vexed relationship, he urged prospective executive members to apply.
"You have a fair bit of work to do but it is really rewarding," he said.
He said the Bay was going forward, with new foreshore planning and the new bridge.
"It is a great thing for the new executive to embrace," he said.
Outgoing treasurer Clayton Birss said "it is an exciting time for the Bay".
Mr Maclachlan said it was a perfect time for a new committee to advocate.
"We are 12 months out from council elections, so people listen," he said.
Before the meeting, Eurobodalla Mayor Liz Innes responded to comments circulated to members by Mr Maclachlan.
"I disagree with Mr Maclachlan's assessment and have confidence that I, and our team at Council, have always engaged with the Chamber in a professional and proactive manner," she said.
"As with any relationship, some are more cohesive than others. Council will continue to engage with all the business chambers and focus on delivering positive outcomes for the whole shire including Batemans Bay, as Council has always done.
"I look forward to a beneficial working relationship with the new Bay chamber executive."
A council spokeswoman said further comment would be made on Thursday.
Meanwhile, all positions were declared open at the AGM and nominations were received for treasurer and secretary, but not president.
The chamber requires an executive quorum of three to operate, otherwise it must fold and disperse funds to members - of which one is Eurobodalla Shire Council.
The meeting was told the chamber had about 80 active members but more unpaid members. Membership is open to anyone working in commerce, trade or a commercial enterprise or service. They must be nominated by a member.
Eurobodalla Shire Councillor and businessman Phil Constable made the trip from Narooma to oversee what he hoped would be the election of a new executive.
He was to be disappointed.
"I did not for the life of me anticipate this circumstance," he said when it became clear no-one would stand for the presidency.
However, he began with an apology.
"As a councillor, I owe you all an apology," he said when first calling for nominations.
He was upset the relationship with the council had soured and "for this to have got to this position".
"This chamber is an integral part of the business community of the shire," he said.
While conceding the chamber had fought its corner "probably aggressively in some instances", the poor relationship with the council was regrettable.
"The dysfunction is upsetting," he said.
He encouraged the outgoing executive to reconsider, perhaps even nominating for committee positions. However he also pointed out that Mr Maclachlan, after three years as president, might not be eligible to renominate as president, but could fill a casual vacancy.
Cameron Thompson nominated and was seconded to stand as secretary.
David Seymour nominated and was seconded to stand as treasurer.
Cr Constable again urged someone to step up for the presidency, even in a transitional role, but to no avail.
A quick riffle through the constitution revealed that a member's suggestion of a two-week delay was permissible.
The meeting was adjourned for two weeks to August 21 to give members time to "get those people who are hiding at home back out".
Mr Maclachlan promised: "We will back and assist any group to maintain the chamber."
