In local government the minutes of council meetings should reveal which councillors vote for and against a specific motion. The minutes, however, do not reveal any more detail of the debate.

And even if as a member of the public you were to sit through a council meeting, you would discover little more as most major items under discussion are workshopped beforehand.

This results in a somewhat sanitised debate.

Workshopping is council’s “debate” of choice and so it is somewhat surprising to see a question from Mayor Michael Britten asking councillors Tony Allen and or Russell Fitzpatrick to provide evidence to council on the financial viability of marinas on the South Coast of NSW to substantiate their opposition to the wharf extension proposed as part of developing the Port of Eden.

Both councillors vehemently deny their opposition to the wharf extension, but even if they didn’t they are entitled to hold whatever views they believe.

The News Weekly can’t recall any councillor being put in this position before.

In any other organisation such behaviour would run the risk of being called bullying.

If this is the way of the future for council then staff had better prepare for some very long meetings.

There may be other councillors who wish to demand justification for some point of view from those who voted contrary to them.

At what point does this type of questioning cross the line to threaten freedom of speech?

Councillors are entitled to a hold a view on any matters discussed – whether it agrees with the mayor’s view or not – and they should not be obliged to provide evidence to support their view.

The Eden Wharf project with its extension, wave attenuator and marina is a complex matter both in terms of its economics and the technical challenges engineers face.

However it is a project that promises to revitalise Eden and bring benefits to other towns in the shire. 

Leadership of the right type is called for here.