We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live, work, and play. Sovereignty was never ceded and this always was, always will be Aboriginal Land. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and future and their continuing connection to country.

Shoalhaven Greens

Shoalhaven Greens – NSW Greens Branch

Key Decisions In Shoalhaven Council

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By Debbie Killian

At the end of my first month as a councillor I will begin by going through some of the decisions which have come before Council: 

October 

  • – CEO appointment led to controversy and to division within the SIG group. A recission motion was submitted on the night seeking to have the decision re-visited, but it was not allowed as the Mayor advised that the decision had been actioned by advising the applicant of the decision.
  • This happened in the last meeting before I began attending. A referral was made to the Office of Local Government and a preliminary enquiry is now underway by that body. It’s not clear how long that will take, but the enquiry relates to the process rather than the validity of the selection.
  • Notice of Motion on NSW Planning Reform Legislation –  (14/10) At my first meeting I put up a NOM on this. I outlined some of the very significant issues and dangers with the legislation being pushed through by the Labor Government with coalition backing and sought support for a letter to the State Government and closer examination by staff of how the Shoalhaven would be impacted.
  • The motion was defeated.
  • Sanctuary Point Library – (28/10) Councillors had received considerable contact from community members and a petition with over 1200 signatures supporting the site at the corner of Kerry St and Paradise Beach Rd. The staff report identified that site as the most appropriate but, as a previous motion of Council had instructed them to identify a different suitable site, they recommended another be chosen for further investigation.
  • After considerable debate, the motion adopted on 28/10 endorsed the Kerry St/Paradise Beach Rd site as the location. Community members who had attended the meeting left with the belief that their preferred option had won the day, but a recission motion was submitted and further debate then had to take place at the following meeting (11/11). Eventually the decision was upheld by a solid majority.

November

  • Shoalhaven City Turf Club Lease – despite the renewed lease involving increases in rent to move closer to market value for the site, a generous subsidy continues to apply. This is of questionable value to the community as, although racing is popular, this large for-profit organisation not only has capacity to pay but also creates huge community harm through gambling. Unfortunately, your new, inexperienced councillor missed the opportunity to identify the report as one to speak on and as a result it was passed without discussion. Although the result would have been the same, it would have been great to get comments on the record about this. A lesson in how things work and when I need to be on the ball!

Impressions so far:

Agendas: Perhaps it’s not surprising that the agendas for the Ordinary Council meetings are fairly light at the moment. With high staff turnover, senior roles filled by acting officers over the past several months and a restructure which has been in the wind for a long time. Most of the items coming before the Council are regular reports required to be made. These include pecuniary interest reports, records of complaints received, quarterly performance and budget reports and a number of others.

This may also be a result of tight budget constraints and/ or limited ambition by the Shoalhaven Independent Group (SIG) in terms of pursuing innovative opportunities to improve local social and structural resources. 

Voting: It may also reflect the uncertainty in the SIG group created by their falling out over the CEO appointment. Votes have not been following the previous pattern of 6 SIG plus 1 Independent (Clancy) and Mayor. With another resignation – SIG member from Ward 1 – the numbers are down 1 and the SIG members no longer reliable. Perhaps this is restricting a more ambitious agenda?

Behaviour in the Chamber: Most people will be aware that heated exchanges in the Chamber have been an issue and that Worksafe Notices have been issued to Council. My attendance has been at meetings after these were issued and the behaviour has been considerably toned down from what I have seen in the past. 

My approach is to listen and not show disrespect to other speakers, and to speak briefly and often on the issues which are important.

I am still learning to manage the administrative tasks of a councillor – the reading and responding to a wide range of emails, learning unfamiliar technical systems. I am also very aware that as a councillor for Ward 3 and a single Green on Council I need to be realistic about the impact I can have and the sheer number of issues I can get across effectively. That said – I am very open to hearing from the very skilled and passionate base of progressives in the Shoalhaven. I know that you will have opinions and advice and support to offer and I look forward to our path forward.