Debate on restructure proceeds

Councillors argued the case for and against the restructure in view of a full public gallery.

Cr Terri Latella, who did not attend the previous meeting when the restructure was voted on, claimed at the meeting that she was not satisfied the restructure would benefit the community and council.

She said that what was at stake, environment and community services, was too important to place under threat.

"I haven't been given a true understanding as to why a restructure was necessary."

Cr Trevor Drake, who was also absent from the previous meeting, said that he was surprised to see the issue resolved when he came back from holidays, though he agreed with the general manager Mr Peter Wilson that seven directorates was too heavy to handle and that five appeared to be the right number to deal with.

Mayor Cr Malcolm Brooks, who was in favour of the restructure, said he would not support any dilutions of environmental issues on the Central Coast, and that under the restructure there would be no staff loss other than the two directors.

Cr Robert Bell stated that the real concern was that the item was not placed on the council's website, on the agenda or business paper.

Cr Brooks said that he had brought the item forward, which was expected by several councilors to be brought to council on May 24, to relieve the angst of council staff affected by the restructure.

Cr Peter Hale said that the restructure would give every department the opportunity to work on the environment.

He also claimed that any comments about the process being "rushed" were rubbish and that the issue had been discussed at several meetings.

He said the real issue was about angst being stopped.

Cr Craig Doyle said that he had been a supporter of the KPMG document, though he was now looking for change, as the strategy was not meeting his expectations.

"We are not getting rid of the environment," Cr Doyle said.

Cr Chris Holstein said that in hindsight, expediting the mayoral minute was possibly unwise, and may have created public angst.

Cr Laurie Maher said that due process had been followed, and that seven directorates were not workable.

"We have to have integrated planning, and an integrated triple bottom line," Cr Maher said.

At the end of the debate, four councilors voted for the rescission motion and five against.

The restructure will now go ahead.

Lyle Stone, May 27