I have often been asked if I believe that I have made an impact since returning to Council – the simple answer is yes. Since returning to Council June 2023 I have attended 13 general council meetings during which time I have submitted 10 notices of motions and 32 amendments to Administrative reports or other Councillors NOM’s.
Have they all been successful, no but it’s important to have open discussion and different perspectives. This goes to the heart of transparency so that the community knows that issues are being challenged and attempts are being made to get a better result.
Of the 32 amendments I have put forward I am proud of the following:
I attempted to reduce residential rates by 10% – lost
- To have the administration negotiate a fair price for fixtures and fittings owned by the Vale ladies – won. The Vale Ladies received a payment of $10,000 which they donated to palliative care.
- For the Council to write to NSW Fire Commissioner about the treatment of volunteers in the communications brigade and the lack of public consultation with respect to disbanding the brigade. – won
- To have the report on the loss of grant funding for Main Street referred to the Asset, Risk and Improvement Committee for independent review – won.
- Moved to have the use of section 226(d) of the local government act referred to Asset, Risk and Improvement Committee for independent guidance in relation to the current Mayor approving 2.2 million dollars prior to entering caretaker mode – lost
- Moved to have no change in rural rates until a proper policy is debated by the elected Councillors and the community is engaged in meaningful discussion.
Of the Notices of Motion that I submitted I would like to highlight the following:
- Rates Review – to lock at the impact of rates on both business and residences -lost. I was impressed by the Administration’s response to my report – 2 pages for every page I wrote. Although this motion went down working with community saw rates for Marrangaroo Fields revert to rural residential.
- Governance review of fees and charges. To have fees and charges reviewed by the finance committee. Fees and charges go up every year but no business cases are very tabled – lost.
- Community meeting at Tarana – I worked with the community to meet with Councillors and management to discuss roads. – won.
- Lithgow Hospital – that the Administration seek clarification on staffing levels at Lithgow Hospital – won
- Bathurst Bullet – that the Administration write to the Transport Minister objecting to extending the Bathurst Bullet to Orange at this point in time. This would have had disastrous impact on our community with no increased carriages.