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Collapse Issue 603:<br />16 Sep 2024<br />_____________Issue 603:
16 Sep 2024
_____________
Collapse  NEWS NEWS
Neal and McWaide likely to be councillors
Fire awareness sessions on Saturday
Minister's order hobbles councillors' control of finances
Marine Rescue holds training day
Council holds business survey
Rotary club to hold golf day on November 4
Native bee workshops to be held at Woytopia
Pocket Pals knitted for South Pacific conference
Megan is employee of the month
Abandoned vessel removed from Woy Woy Bay
Rotary club hears from aged care community manager
Brooks criticises 'performance improvement order'
Number of brigades called to Patonga*
Tiling retailer wins specialist retail business award
Garden club meets at Umina library
Pearl Beach brigade joins in Halekulani burn*
Successful fundraising at 'massive event'*
Patonga firefighters join in mopping up after burn*
Federal Member welcomes Rabaul Ave resurfacing*
Reid holds community forum at Hardy's Bay*
Rain recorded on just one day this month
Collapse  PLANNING PLANNING
Application for beachfront house claims full compliance
Demolition proposed for disused aged care building
Drop-in sessions likely for Phegans Bay foreshore plan
Collapse  FORUM FORUM
Editorial opinion
Minister must support local democracy in his actions
Devastated at the death of Dr Heinz-Joachim Muller
Order on Council shows no respect for democracy
Association is open to exciting creative ideas
Collapse  HEALTH HEALTH
Japanese nursing students have local work experience
Hospital holds barbecue for RUOK day
Escape bags for people fleeing domestic violence
Mingaletta holds women's health clinic
Aged care home says farewell to long-serving employee
Collapse  ARTS ARTS
Woytopia festival adds free clothes swap
Pearl Beach Art Trail to be held on long weekend
Coastal Twist Festival offers five events on Peninsula
Hanging tea towels made by patchwork group
'Double treat' at folk club concert
Pearl Beach artist has exhibition in botanic gardens*
Collapse  EDUCATION EDUCATION
Magic descends on St John the Baptist Primary School
Parents encouraged to take part in survey
Donation made to Woy Woy school
Parking an issue around Ettalong school
Collapse  SPORT SPORT
Bowling club holds RUOK event
Cycling group to hold 'Peninsula Loop' ride
Children invited to try pickleball
Charity bowls day to raise money for Guide Dogs
Bridge club runs Swiss pairs over two sessions
Surf club holds a 24-hour row
Tennis club receives grant to resurface court

EXTRA!!!

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Minister must support local democracy in his actions

Minister for Local Government Mr Ron Hoenig was mayor of Botany Bay for more than 30 years prior to entering State Parliament.

He is a barrister and was a Public Defender for the State of New South Wales.

His imposition of a "Performance Improvement Order" on Central Coast Council during the voting period in our council elections reflects poorly on the NSW Government and even more so on him, disappointingly so, given his background.

On election day, last Saturday, he issued a media release stating: "Democracy is a vital part of our society and exercising your right to vote is an important responsibility."

However, the timing and nature of his Performance Improvement Order contravenes many principles that are traditionally associated with local government democracy in Australia.

These include recognition of the independence and autonomy of local government.

They include principles of the "separation of powers" of local governments from state governments, of local governments being governed by local elected people accountable to the local community, and of "limited interference" in local government by State governments.

They include recognition of the need to avoid making political decisions in the midst of an election period, which could be seen to be interference with the election.

They include the presumption of goodwill and the need for evidence-based justification before taking pre-emptive control.

They also include reluctance and care in exercising authoritarian legal provisions (such as those under Part 6 of Chapter 13 of the Local Government Act), with such measures only being taken through a transparent process as a last resort where a clear need, proportionate to the threat, is demonstrated and is open to public debate.

They include the "rule of law" which requires disclosure of the consequences for not complying with the order, rather leaving them as a veiled threat.

The Performance Improvement Order was imposed without any public announcement, other than a request to Council Administrator Mr Rik Hart: "It is suggested that Council tables this notice at an open council meeting."

The Order does not allow the newly-elected councillors to act autonomously and independently.

The decision to impose it has not been transparent and it has not been demonstrated that the threat it claims to address actually exists.

There appears to be only one candidate who has espoused policies advocating specific financial performance improvements.

Without specifying the threat, the timing of the order could be seen to be directed against this candidate and be an attempt to ensure his particular policies cannot be implemented.

The order itself does not require any specified "improvement", but rather a continuation of current policies and practices for a period of 12 months.

It contains only one reference to performance measures, being the Office of Local Government financial indicators.

The interpretation of the Council's compliance with the ill-defined Order rests entirely with the Minister, who has power to impose draconian penalties for non-compliance.

It is sensible for the new councillors to take a considered approach to managing Central Coast Council's finances, and that they should be hesitant to make any major changes in their first 12 months in office.

However, imposing an order on them to do so does not help instil confidence that the councillors together with the council staff have the capacity to do so.

Implicit in the McCulloch Inquiry findings was the imperative for the councillors to take control of council finances and be given every possible assistance to do so.

It is contradictory to mouth democratic values and support for the Inquiry findings and then to take this responsibility away from the councillors.

It is premature and counter-productive to impose an Order that implies incoming councillors would otherwise act irresponsibly or behave illegally, consequently undermining the electorate's trust in its council.

If there is one thing required of a Minister for Local Government, it is that he provides the framework for the responsible financial management of councils, through which he can express confidence and provide support to councillors taking their democratic role.





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