14th Q Councillors interests and declarations
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Mike Britten: It’s an open and public record.
Tony Allen: It’s open and transparent. Come to council and check it out. Councillors are scrupulous in their declarations.
John Richardson: I rely to Michael and Tony for their answers. I have little to declare.
3th Q Why should rates vary on the value of your land
Mike Britten: They don’t necessarily. There is a fixed element. There is a summary of issues on my Facebook page.
Tony Allen: I insist we don’t vary rates unless a very good reason. What changes is the value on your property. The other issue is having all the rates on one notice. They are dear.
Bill Taylor: The rate is set by the state government. We have some leeway, he said. When you get a rate notice, rates are part, but there are charges. We try to cover the cost of those services.
12th Q Is the financial situation as dire as made out to be by some
Bill Taylor: No it’s not. Council is fit for the future. We’re financially stable. The information is available. We are a responsible council. We are closely monitored by the state government.
Liz Seckold: Yes Bill is correct. The new library bought for $1.2 million well below market price. The Merimbula Library had been moved to a rental property at $80,000 a year. So we don’t pay rent any more. Can now store artworks and it has meeting rooms.
Russell Fitzpatrick: You have to look at each fund and what you can do. The general fund is where the borrowings are. If we borrow on that fund it will place a limit on services. We are fit for the future because previous councillors took a very conservative view.
11th Q Should council be involved in welfare, foreign aid and education
Wayne Marmont: As a councillor I believe we should lobby government but about things that are important to us.
Fraser Buchanan: Foreign aid not a council issue, could have an opinion. Education is a state issue. I know state offering up the old council site for education but I don’t think it’s council’s responsibility to be engaging in that sort of stuff.
David Porter: Council can assist with those who want to help with foreign aid projects. I would like to see better education here.
10th Q What value on sporting facilities
Russell Fitzpatrick: I value the sporting community very highly. They build character. Can be a great economic boost for the community. It’s right at our fingertips. Work with council to take ownership of smaller facilities.
Robyn Bain: I believe in sport, great for children, great for all of us. Sport does more than who comes first and last. Equestrian centre – instead of a track track only turn it into an equestrian centre with support from council.
Bob Arthur: Love the way women grow sports wise.
9th Q Climate change
Peter Whiter: This is a very real issue as we are so close to the ocean. We can always do more. Clean Energy for Eternity – what it has done is wonderful.
Daryl Dobson: I believe in solar energy and looking forward to the new batteries. I believe we can do more.
Mitchell Nadin: Cities and regional towns have to deal with. Council could do more with green spaces, ensuring enough green spaces and trees. Can do a lot with planning and development and make sure they last- buildings that will last for 30 years or more rather than knocking them down. This is the stuff we can do everyday.
8th Q What ideas to develop towns other than Bega
Judy Geary: Need the infrastructure to allow development. Each town has a unique story that needs to be preserved.
Carol Carmody: I do see Bega as the heart of the Bega Valley Shire. I can’t imagine seeing industry anywhere else. I would like to see improvement to Merimbula Airport. Eden - I am supportive of cruise ships and believe freight being supported.
Tas Fitzer: I agree with the previous comments. I really am hoping to promote our small businesses.
7th Q Should economic development be an important portfolio in council
Jo Dodds: Yes of course but its about bigger values than just money. Itr’s also about the happieness of people.
Wayne Marmont: Believer in if you build it they will come. Have to invest in things like regional roads, sporting facilities but where the money comes from is a question.
Kristy McBain: Economic development important. Need a strategic review of planning. Tourism is important because it has a flow on effect. If they like it they spend money there is a flow on effect.
6th Q Why do you not support funding for tourism
Tony Allen: Totally untrue, Mr Allen said. Tourism important to the valley but the people who benefit should contribute too. If the business sector supported a bit more could grow the fund considerably, he said. Tourists need good infrastructure.
John Richardson: Not correct. Our issue with funding of tourism is an issue of process in council. Sapphire Coast Tourism given an additional $100,000 without any discussion is council. Not acceptable for money to be handed to anyone with the community knowing about it.
Fraser Buchanan: Very much in support of tourism and operators appreciate the funding but believe there should be a contribution from the operators too but council should provide good infrastructure.
5th Q Is 50/50 by 2020 achievable
Joshua Shoobridge: Yes if community gets behind the leadership. Next council can help with, he said.
Kristy McBain: Going to involve some pretty hard work. Tathra sewerage farm a good project.
Tas Fitzer: Believe we should definitely do this. Economically a fantastic way to boost investment, grow jobs and we should strive for this and work with federal and state MPs.
4th Q How to gain benefit from growth in visitors to the area
Graham Lewis: It will put a spotlight on our shire. Bring it on.
Daryl Dobson: I’m all for it.
Peter Whiter: Been guiding since the first cruise ship came into Eden. Don’t need to carry people beyond the shire boundaries. We have everything here.
3rd Q What plans about homelessness
David Porter: Very much a community problem which council needs to work on with community groups and volunteer organisations. As a council we need to be understanding. A course or education to help them move up from being homeless.
Mike Britten. Every level of government passes the buck. Trying to work as a collective with other areas. Need to find the land and get funding. Council can only reduce its charges.
Cathy Griff: Consultation needed with young people. Youth council needs to be reinstated.
2nd Q Future of Bega Valley in next 10 years
Bob Arthur: Hope with consultation the shire could be prosperous and safe. The last thing I would like to see a council involved in is party politics. Independent decision making key.
Sharon Tapscott: Think we have a bright future. We live in global communities, linked by joint ventures. Bigger partnerships will give us leverage. We are pristine and can attract eco tourists, she said.
Judy Geary: Like to see us respond creatively to problems in the environment (such as plastics).
Ist Q about plastic pollution:
Nathan Marshall: Not necessarily council’s role but community’s role to reduce use. Council can help through incentives.
Mitchell Nadin: Trish on the Chamber has a program – Boomerang bags to reduce and reduce.
Bill Taylor: Council has a policy that we should reduce plastic bags but up to supermarkets, shops and community.
Just about to start again
OK just taking a short interval now
Nathan Marshall: We can better utilise social media and do meet and greets, he said. Communicate back to the community with openess. Should be clear and strong conduit, he said.
Mitchell Nadin: A good leader listens. Being accessible and being proactive is the second task. Meetings like this very important – a sort of Tony Jones Q & A thing and also via alI the social business avenues I visit.
Bob Arthur: I’ve never had a problem communicating with council.
Kristy McBain: Hopefully council will have meetings as a better time. We can push out things by social media, radio etc but the best way to get in touch with a particular councillor.
Peter Whiter: The population is growing so longer will our young people have to leave the shire. Councillors need to listen to the locals.
Liz Seckold: There are numerous ways that council tries to communicate – libraries, community newsletter, radio, social media and neighbourhood meetings. We have a website and place-based offices, she said. I am continually in people’sc
Tas Fitzer: Accessibility is the key, he said and am accessible via social media but also just by going out onto the streets and talking to people..
Carol Carmody: Every issue takes on different meaning to whoever it applies, she said. Attend council meetings and look at the council website. If you don’t have internet access, contact a councillor, it would always be welcome to me, she said.
Daryl Dobson: Not many people attend council meetings. I would like to have a meeting like this every six months but a Q & A.
Russell Fitzpatrick: All councillors spend a lot of time consulting with the community. “ I know how much time I spend. I don’t think there’s a lack of willingness to consult. My phones always on,” he said. Re the borrowings he said he supported borrowings because of the rate that was offered.
Robyn Bain: Sad paper has not chosen to publish our profiles and photos. I sent an email to Ben Smyth because for people not oin Facebook and web you need to communicate.
David Porter: I will meet with anyone within 48 hrs, he said. If council can borrow millions can spend on roads or real estate let’s have some consultation on that.
Joshua Shoobridge: We need to be educated about how we can have a say with council. Need to take the facts to the community, he said. It’s about making decions for the greater good, he added.
Graham Lewis: I will be available to anyone with input about council concerns. Our decisions will be made available via many mediums. Transparency of council will keep it accountable, he said.
Mike Britten: Consultation is about communication. Finance all councillors voted to take up the loans for $11.2 m – all councillors, he said. In a survey last year residents said felt economy was getting better. It was done by Canberra Uni, he said.
Wayne Marmont: For the last nine years driving a school bus and listening to ratepayers from kindy upwards. All you can do is make yourself available. If you have a problem come and talk to me.
John Richardson: Community survey the most important way of telling council what’s important to you. You have to have an expectation that council will take notice.
Tony Allen: If you’re a councillor you have to make a decision.
A call from the floor with one man saying that there was no new info provided.
Cathy Griff: Facebook and focus groups can be used, she said. “People are astoundingly insightful when asked,” she said. Consultation is a loop to be fed back to the council.
Fraser Buchanan: I want to enact broad scale community consultation and council must act in accordance with the community’s wishes, he said. Believe council needs to improve its approach to consultation.
Judy Geary: Have council meetings at 5.30pm so more people can attend and committed to visiting towns regularly to hear people’s views. Will be in Littleton Gdns next Sunday to discuss issues with anyone, she said.
7.25pm 2nd question how to ensure consultation with the community
Nathan Marshall: We must listen to the community. Need to improve how people feel about where they live, promote local businesses. Happiness can improve local employment and people’s well being he said. Council needs to partner with the community and really listen, he said.
Mitchell Nadin: We need a diverse council. A stagnation of council because all from a similar demographic. Pools before pubs I say, he said. I am devastated to be losing the squash courts. Young people want to see a plan for the future. My demographic is not represented, he said.
Bob Arthur: Love music and surfing. Protection of natural environment, need to rationalise services, don’t want fluoridation, want to see more Aboriginal programs needed, he said.
Kristy McBain: I am positive about things in the Bega Valley but we do need to stimulate growth, she said. Ms McBain said she wanted to review planning rules and allow easier development. The Eden Port is no way finished. Roads, rates matter so does economic growth.
Peter Whiter: Rate payers I have spoken to have mentioned rates as an important issue. A very small number mentioned roads. I drove to Nethercote on sealed road all the way last week and then went to Wyndham – just one person mentioned roads. The big issue is the need to grow the shire. With more residents more income, he said.
Jo Dodds: Empowerment: we can’t do much about the global economy but can pull together, she said. She talked about empty shops but some smaller towns are thriving and in these the communities are empowered, with big rates of volunteerism.
Sharon Tapscott: Health and wealth of the community my focus, she said, in reference to Pambula Hospital and the lack of emergency department. Transport strategy important, access for all important, she said. Need to invest in infrastructure and need to provide for a young population..
Bill Taylor: Always tried to keep an open mind. There is no plan to close any swimming pool, he said. Need to consider the evidence. We are fit for the future, have bought three buildings and considering one other, he said.
Liz Seckold: I endorse everything Taz says about youth. But the biggest issue facing this council and every council on the coast is climate change. The warmer the world, the moister the weather, she said in reference to recent storms on the coast. Ms Seckold talked about Clean Energy for Eternity. We can be the flagship for renewable energy in the south east.
Tas Fitzer: I am a Country Labor candidate. I believe we need to be doing a lot more for the youth of the area. Young people are the future. Need to look at how we can boost employment, Mr Fitzer said. We need to improve tertiary education in the area.
Carol Carmody: Roads, finance and infrastructure are big issues. All concerned about roads and the state they are in. We want to know how and why funds are allocated, she said. If we want visitors and to grow our economy, council needs to ensure roads are maintained and toilets in good order.
Daryl Dobson: Main projects to look after the youth, and the pools. Not happy about the real estate purchased. Talked about roads, some with large potholes and the toilets at Mitchies Jetty that need renovation. I stand for whole shire, he said.
Russell Fitzpatrick: Budget one of the biggest issues. Rate pegging at a very low per cent. So already there is a shortfall in the budget, he said. We don’t want to go on the route of rate rises. Mr Fitzpatrick talked about rezoning. I fully support Bunnings, he said. Need to address those issues. Put it on the table and make it happen.
Robyn Bain: Seeing council purchase several buildings with no business plans is not something we should do. “We are not L J Hooker,” she said. The attenuator at Eden is important and councillors have tried to divide the community on this, she said.
David Porter: My experience has seen me dealing between community and government. What I see here is a lack of consultation with the community. The council 6 times worse at managing our assets than we should be he said.
Joshua Shoobridge: He has a focus on youth. “We can talk about rates and roads until cows come home but this council does not listen to the community.” I need to be a voice for the people he said.
Graham Lewis: I believe people have lost faith in council. Do not close the pools. Support volunteers, more car parking needed, leave the Bega clock where it is. Waive tip charges so dumping is not an issue, he said.
Mike Britten: Training of councillors a big job, continuity and I have with me financial papers that refute what Cr Allen said, Mr Britten added. Airport and Merimbula learning centre important and planning flexibility, he said.
Wayne Marmont: We must get our finances under control, he said, we don’t want to end up in administration again, he added. He talked about the closure of pools. He also talked about road surfaces.
John Richardson: My job (if elected) is to champion the priorities that the community has identified. He said the community survey is the way to do this. He referred to the previous survey where people said roads were most important, Mr Richardson said. I want to work with fellow councillors, he said.
Tony Allen: Biggest issue is the financial issue, Mr Allen said. He wants to change the long term plans and not enter into long-term purchases. The essence of what we do is road and bridges and need to get back to basics. There will be no pool closures he said.
Cathy Griff is talking about climate change and has referenced it some local events. Need an action plan with realistic targets, she said. Let’s use renewal energy, she said.
Fraser Buchanan says council has not consulted with the community and should not be a property speculator. He doesn’t believe the airport should be expanded. Roads, car parking and other community infrastructure important. Stringent quality control needed. Getting back to basics. Received applause.
Judy Geary says she wants to improve the decision making process and listen to the community.
Albert McKnight welcomes everyone and the 24 (out of 26) candidates.
There will be two questions put to candidates, one about their vision for the shire and the other about communication and transparency.
6.30pm Candidates assembling on the stage at Club Sapphire.
6.05 People arriving for the forum
Here’s editor Ben Smyth waiting for everyone to arrive. Crowds are starting to roll in now. Lots of chatter and the candidates are circulating.
- Please keep refreshing this page for the latest updates
The Merimbula News Weekly, Bega District News and Eden Magnet have organised the public information forum with the candidates for the upcoming Bega Valley Shire Council elections. The forum starts at 6pm for 6.30pm at Club Sapphire, Merimbula, Wednesday, August 31.
If you are unable to attend you can follow the live blog which will appear below as soon as the forum starts, or watch events live through the Facebook page of any of the three newspapers involved.
So whether you join us via FB, on the web, or in person, we're looking forward to having your company.