With our Mayoral candidates, Spark has so far explored the "Roads, Rates and Rubbish" responsibilities that were priorities in the Local Government Act of 1919. But today, we consider the broader work of modern local councils and the role the Mayor plays in planning for the future.
According to the Office of Local Government, "the Mayor, as spokesperson for the council, is the public face of the planning process. The Mayor is responsible for explaining the purpose of the Community Strategic Plan to the community and for encouraging public participation in the planning process."
In the 70s, council responsibilities expanded beyond providing infrastructure to administering compliance with state laws in town planning, companion animals, food safety, swimming pool safety, sporting fields, parking, contaminated land, noxious weeds, flood controls and more. Many council assets do not generate income and are expensive to manage.
A perception remains that the local council should operate like a business. Councillors with business and management acumen are an undeniable asset in understanding council operations and scrutinising financial plans to protect ratepayers from being plundered by a wasteful bureaucracy.
However, the private sector sees efficiency as profitability, while a government's goal is not to turn a profit but to serve the general public good. Elected representatives, not markets, define local council decisions. Communities are not the same as customers.
Councils do more than balance the books. Not everything of social value is profitable. And not everything profitable is of social value.
So we asked our Mayoral candidates this:
According to some social media forums, the Shoalhaven is a disaster and everything is the council's fault - particularly the Mayor's fault.
But community volunteers, businesses, workers and children say they are lucky to call Shoalhaven home and enjoy the support of local government across various areas.
Which version is more true? What's your vision for the Shoalhaven?
Kaye Gartner
Residents and visitors alike exclaim about the beautiful part of the world we live in. “We live in paradise” You hear that all the time.
When I am out doorknocking, when I’m in the supermarket, community members tell me how they wouldn’t live anywhere else - and also that there are a few issues.
Those issues are common to regional Councils all over NSW – the roads are in a bad state, extreme weather is pummelling us, and insurance costs are increasing. Social media posts and groups get ugly, amplify fear and turn good people off getting involved.
My vision for the Shoalhaven is simple. The beautiful environment is protected. The social environment is attractive too with art and dance and song and festivals thriving. People have jobs and a career path in the Shoalhaven. People can find a home to call their own, to build a good life from. Our community is safe, prosperous and kind to nature and each other.
As Mayor, I will pursue policies and actions that give this vision a red-hot chance. 100%. Pretty simple, not.
Jemma Tribe
Council is facing some serious challenges but there are also so many positive glimmers of hope.
We have an incredible sense of community with people who genuinely help each other out. We have a beautiful natural environment. We’re a food/wine/coffee destination. We have new industrial land to release that will have a significant impact on the local economy and strong projected growth.
We also have a Council CEO who saw what she was walking into and didn’t back down. She has moved her whole life here to turn things around and has a committed team behind her to see the job through.
Our next Mayor will need to have the skills to bring people together and pull as a team to move forward. To build on our strengths and tackle the challenges with acumen and heart.
Leaders set the tone from the top. It's time to think seriously about the kind of tone we want set.
In case you're wondering, A Vision Splendid is from the quintessential Australian favourite "Banjo" Paterson poem, Clancy of the Overflow. Wonderful and wise.
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Got a question to ask Jemma Tribe or Kaye Gartner? Post it in the comments or email it to thesparkshoalhaven@gmail.com
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