Wollongong rate rises not out of question: Farmer

BY MICHELLE HOCTOR, Illawarra Mercury. 30/07/2008 4:00:00 AM

Rate rises of 80 to 200 per cent over the next 10 years are “alarmist” but not out of the question, according to Wollongong City Council general manager David Farmer.

Mr Farmer said he would be “surprised” if such increases occurred, but the outcome would be dependent on a national response to the underfunding of local government, and the council’s own efforts to cut costs.

A report released yesterday into the financial status of NSW councils listed Wollongong and Kiama councils as financially unsustainable and in need of drastic action to repair a growing backlog of dilapidated infrastructure such as roads and public buildings.

Releasing his statewide study of NSW councils, Professor Percy Allan said the two councils were among 35 that needed to increase their rates, fees and charges by 80 to 200 per cent “or be forced to severely cut their services if they are to restore their finances and infrastructure to prudent and responsible levels”.

full story url:
http://illawarra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/wollongong-rate-rises-not-out-of-question-farmer/1229670.aspx

Don’t be mislead by the bells and whistles trappings of untested electronic innovations and more community forums, the WCC Community Consultation Discussion Paper (July 2008) does not address our real needs for representation in Council’s decision-making process.

The W.C.C. community consultation concept design now on display is fundamentally flawed at it’s core.

The thinking the Discussion Paper contains is not acceptable, nor are the one-sided terms under which this whole “community conversation” is taking place. It does not place a high enough value on our democratic rights for an alternative means of representation in the absence of elected Councillors.

What follows presumes you have read the WCC Discussion Paper.

Feedback and discussion encouraged by way of Comments or email to brucer@reformwcc.info

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WCC MEDIA RELEASE -  WEDNESDAY, 23 JULY 2008

“COMMUNITY ASKED HOW THEY WANT TO HAVE THEIR SAY”

“The community can have their say on a range of new opportunities Wollongong City Council is considering to improve the way Council consults with the community.
Administrators tonight agreed to publicly exhibit a Community Consultation Discussion Paper between Monday, 28 July and Friday, 22 August, to generate discussion and gain valuable feedback from the community before Council drafts a new Community Consultation Policy.
The Discussion Paper asks the community to consider a range of new consultation options including Neighbourhood Forums supported by Council and new Community Leaders Meetings with Administrators.
The community can also have their say on proposed opportunities such as Community Forums for specific projects, electronic communication tools, kiosks, and the recently endorsed Independent Hearing Assessment Panels as a way to consult on major developments in the city.

Administrator, Robert McGregor AM, said it was important to remember that Council is here to serve the community and be responsive to the community’s needs by listening to their input.
“Residents have a right to have their say about how Council carries out its functions, and this Discussion Paper allows the whole community to share their views on how they would like to do this,” Mr McGregor said.

“Council is committed to having ongoing conversations with the community through a variety of opportunities, but before we implement any of these new consultation options, we want to encourage the community to tell us what they think of them.”

Following public exhibition of the Discussion Paper, Council will rely on the community’s involvement to draft a new Community Consultation Policy to be presented at the September Council Meeting.

To view the Community Consultation Discussion Paper, visit Council’s website at www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au from Monday, 28 July, call 4227 7096 or email consultation@wollongong.nsw.gov.au “

Council’s spin/media release ends

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(And watch this space for a review of the ‘discussion paper’ to find out why IT’S A REAL STINKER! reformwcc.info)

WCC Community Consultation Discussion Paper

July 2008.

What follows is only an extract from a range of other aspects of community consultation. For full report and attachment for Agenda Item 2 for WCC Council Meeting of 23 July 2008 see

http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/council/papers.asp

Neighbourhood Forums (NF)

The Neighbourhood Forums will replace the Local Area Meetings which have currently been operating. It is proposed that there will be six Neighbourhood Forums based on the boundaries of the current Wards of the Council. It is proposed that the meeting will be convened (but not controlled) by a senior Council Officer. It is proposed that the agenda will be set by the community at the beginning of each meeting, they will be chaired by a community representative and they will be provided with administrative support by Council. A Charter will be developed to ensure appropriate code of conduct by participants and this will be monitored by Council.

One person will represent each Neighbourhood Forum as a community leader at the Community Leaders Meetings with the Council Administrators

What will happen next?

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SMH website:
NSW govt sacks south coast council

July 9, 2008 – 6:30PM
To view the entire article, click on: http://news.smh.com.au/national/nsw-govt-sacks-south-coast-council-20080709-3ceu.html

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Minister for Illawarra David Campbell replies to some questions in connection with what action he will be taking, as the NSW Minister responsible for the Illawarra, in light of the unprecedented situation resulting from the lack of democratically elected representatives at Wollongong City Council.

Click on link below  for pdf file – read his own words, draw your own conclusions:

Letter from Minister for Illawarra Hon David Campbell

Is David Campbell, as Minister for the Illawarra, working hard to protect the democractic interests of residents of Wollongong or a passive captive of the NSW ALP?

Can we encourage him to do more?

Analysis, feedback, comment welcome – send to brucer@reformwcc.info if you are not registered to leave comments etc.

SMH article:

Conman in Valley of the Saints
Jason Koutsoukis and Andrew Clenell
July 5, 2008

To view the entire article, click on: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/07/04/1214951042629.html
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