Council committee fails its aim, says association

The Central Coast Council's Local Representation Committee has failed to achieve its aim of "ensuring all communities within the new LGA have a voice", according an article in the newsletter of the Wagstaffe to Killcare Community Association.

"The lines of communication that the residents of the Central Coast have always enjoyed through their representatives, the councillors, have been closed in all but name only and will remain that way until the elections, a long 12 months away," association member Mr Ian Bull wrote.

"We had hoped that the recently announced Local Representation Committee, comprised of ex-councillors, would restore interaction with Council," Mr Bull said.

"Unfortunately our hopes have been dashed as it appears our 'representatives' have been corralled and refused vital lines of communication such as the phones and email addresses that had been previously provided to them as councillors.

"They are not permitted to speak to the media either individually or as a group as, in accepting appointment to the committee, they were required to sign over those rights to the all-powerful administrator.

"We have been advised by Council that contact with a few committee members is possible via their personal phones and email addresses that can be found at www.wyong.nsw.gov.au (About Council).

"Council also advise you can reach the committee by emailing ask@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au or via: www.haveyoursaycentralcoast.com.au/.

"Regrettably these interpose a level of bureaucracy between you and your 'representatives',' Mr Bull said.

Newsletter, 7 Sep 2016

Ian Bull, WTKCA