Visionaries knew that the State Government would seek early intervention to swiftly deal with sub- standard councils prior to having to hire a potentially inept commissioner -and be able to sack individual incompetent councillors thereby averting the need to put an entire council to the sword.
It had to happen. Over the past two decades twenty-one councils have been investigated, including the recidivist York council twice, with eight now being examined by various authorities. Four of these are from Rural, Regional and Remote areas.
The latest article in the July 28th edition of The Weekend West has a less than flattering title ‘Early action bid on Dodgy Local Councils’ with ‘dodgy’ being a fair summation of how many ratepayers across the state consider the abilities of councils that represent them.
In particular there are the massive rate hikes with no corresponding increment in the extent and quality of services, the never-ending breaches of governance and local by-laws that stifle development.
Local Government Minister, David Templeman, appears to subtlety admit that the underlying reason for the discovery of increased levels of malpractice is that local community groups are more effective in raising issues through the dramatic rise of an inquisitive, investigative Social Media sites which know more about local government affairs than he does.
It certainly is not related to any obvious improvement in effective control of local government by his department over shire and city councils and WALGA since he took over the portfolio.
Recently Mr. Templeman rejected the advice of the Minister for Regional Development, Alannah MacTeirnan that some regional council’s should be amalgamated.
Unfortunately for Mr Templeman, Ms. MacTeirnan, who has spent 25 years in politics, both in the State and Federal arenas, has far more credibility within the Labor Party hierarchy than he has. So her idea may well be revisited in the not too distant future.
So where exactly does the Shire of York stand as the new legislation inexorably draws to the end of submissions and towards deliberations.
It may well have a problem regarding the interpretation of the Local Government (Audit) Regulations Act 1996- Reg-17. It may also have some explaining to do regarding a criminal case currently being proceeded with in the Perth’s Magistrates Court relating to work-place issues.
Then, of course, there is the unexplainable financial largesse that is the Forest Bar & Café, a jumbo white bull elephant filling an empty convention centre conference room that may happily live there forever.
Now some tips on a tip.
Arguably the biggest problem faced by the Shire of York, the ratepayers and the community in general is the potential devastation that any approval of the Allawuna Farm Waste Disposal Project may deliver to York’s battered Real Estate market and what little tourist industry it has left.
It is perceived by the authorities concerned in this tips future is that the past and current Shire of York Council has never outlined any significant ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES as good reason why the project should not proceed.
It also appears that ALKINA may be eager to get their machinery engaged in the major excavation required to bury Perth’s shit at Allawuna.
The problem they face right now is heavy rainfall and the raised water-table level that would appear to any environmentalist to be sufficient reason why ALKINA should not be digging there in the first place.
But then the experts from the Department of Water and Environmental Protection say that is not a problem. So let us pray they do not fall victim to Mesothelioma- or from chloride not fluoride after drinking toxic waste in their tap water.
Nor does the potential for road carnage on the Great Southern Highway between The Lakes and St. Ronan’s appear to be a worry because this not an environmental issue.
And the sun appears to be about to set on any ‘Sunset Clause’.
David Taylor.
Arguably the biggest problem faced by the Shire of York, the ratepayers and the community in general is the potential devastation that any approval of the Allawuna Farm Waste Disposal Project may deliver to York’s battered Real Estate market and what little tourist industry it has left.
It is perceived by the authorities concerned in this tips future is that the past and current Shire of York Council has never outlined any significant ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES as good reason why the project should not proceed.
It also appears that ALKINA may be eager to get their machinery engaged in the major excavation required to bury Perth’s shit at Allawuna.
The problem they face right now is heavy rainfall and the raised water-table level that would appear to any environmentalist to be sufficient reason why ALKINA should not be digging there in the first place.
But then the experts from the Department of Water and Environmental Protection say that is not a problem. So let us pray they do not fall victim to Mesothelioma- or from chloride not fluoride after drinking toxic waste in their tap water.
Nor does the potential for road carnage on the Great Southern Highway between The Lakes and St. Ronan’s appear to be a worry because this not an environmental issue.
And the sun appears to be about to set on any ‘Sunset Clause’.
David Taylor.
Interesting you mention York’s battered Real Estate market, all the High St names like Ray White, Professionals, and First National have gone, the latest to throw in the franchisee towel is Hooker’s. Real-estate sales in York don’t warrant the costs associated with nationwide offices, the only one that seems to be hanging in is Elders.
ReplyDelete"Local Government Minister, David Templeman, appears to subtlety admit that the underlying reason for the discovery of increased levels of malpractice is that local community groups are more effective in raising issues through the dramatic rise of an inquisitive, investigative Social Media sites which know more about local government affairs than he does."
ReplyDeleteYes yes yes and its not the flaccid site managed by a flogger of a former councillor.
Big Brother's no longer watching us, we're watching it, populism will see the end of incompetent corrupt local government.
The cover ups continue ad infinitum.
ReplyDeleteHow is the current CEO and Shire President going to explain the legal action unfolding in the city. Surely if the DPP have gone ahead with charges the evidence must be substantive.
Were the Council informed or did these two grubby little men decide it was in the bests interests of the 'Organization' to suppress the truth yet again.
Time to wait for the truth to make its way through the layers of beurocracy and emerge into the light.
To quote (or mis-quote) Marie Antoinette "Let them eat cake!"
ReplyDeleteI'll eat my share at a public rally with a pitch fork thanks.
Before or after we lop off their heads?
DeleteIn theory local councils are supposed to underpin a successful democracy.
ReplyDeleteThey are the closest tier of government to affect our daily lives, and boy, affect us they do. If councils stuck to their mandate of fixing potholes and collecting garbage the world would be a sweeter place.
In practice, councils stink worse than the garbage they collect. The problem lies with the insipid insular councillors like our dear parochial president and the public service fat cat executives.
The role and responsibilities of Local government are enormously important but until councillors are vetted more closely and our demands for more communication and transparency are met, the system of local government will continue to rot and ultimately self-destroy.
The current Shire of York Council appears to be devoid of any individual that has the slightest understanding of commercial or contract law.
ReplyDeleteReading the minutes from the past 3 ordinary council meetings is painful. The stupidity and arrogance of the Shire President is overwhelmingly clear. His Ceo thinks blaming his staff is going to get him off the hook.
Think again heckle and jeckle, the truth is on its way and you will have nowhere to hide.
I've got to say it, he didn't have much to work with, and so far as his senior manager's go - a run of all out bad luck really.
DeleteWho do you think picks the senior managers, any bad luck has come about because of the CEO's poor decisions, decisions which cost the ratepayers enormous amounts of money to put right.
DeleteThe Shire President is arrogant all right, it goes with the territory. Given the position is titular only, it certainly seems to corrupt the morality of the individual once elected.
DeleteAnon 21.56 you seem to be implying David Wallace was corrupted by the power of being President.
DeleteI am sure his arrogance and stupidity were well established long before he shafted Mat Reid.
I agree with Anonymous 1 August 2018 at 06:43. The shire was up to shit from top to bottom, with the culture ingrained from the leaders, the likes of hooper,boyle,hooper,mazuuk, budgie,mckenzie etc. Besides the flasher and the con man, the CEO has done/ is doing a good job considering all. He does work long hours,listens and seems to be good hearted. Its not his fault wallace wants to be the big man. Even the CEO has got to do what he's got to do. Sorry!!! and thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteCrap, who cares if he works long hours, I work long hours but I don't expect people to pity me. He's a HIGHLY paid senior executive. Maybe being "good hearted" is his Achilles heel, maybe he should toughen up starting with his incompetent staff.
DeleteYes agreed.
DeleteThe CEO is a first class lier who would rather cover up for his crooked mates than put this community first.
DeleteHe reaps what he sows, no sympathy for him. We want justice after 15 years of being raped by greedy drunken scum.