Recovering from the infuriation after the ‘drop in’ session conducted by Bellingen Shire Council in Dorrigo ‘to have your say’ on the Council’s SRV (Special Rate Variations), I wish to publicly express my disappointment with this cop out method of gauging public, or in this instance, ratepayers reaction to controversial issues such as the SRV.
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I assume there are few residents in the Shire with sufficient facts and figures at their fingertips to debate individually prepared officers from the Council, whereas at a conventionally conducted public meeting, the feelings and wishes of those attending can be openly expressed and heard by all present.
Community feeling, hidden by discussion on a one-to-one basis does not, in my opinion, satisfy the requirements of IPART, for Council to conduct community consultation, in order for it to be deemed ‘Fit for the Future’ by the Office of Local Government, to implement special rate variations over a seven year period.
I am fairly confident a normal public meeting would have quickly indicated to all those attending that ratepayers cannot afford a SRV year on year, resulting in at least a six per cent annual increase in their rates.
But, dare I say; we live in a democracy where it is expected our elected representatives will support the wishes of the majority.
