How effective is the process

We have seen recently that the Council is spruiking its substantial investment in time for Councillors to meet with residents.  

The real question is how effective is that work and does it produce measurable and accountable outcomes?  

How satisfied are you with the excessive rates impost? 

The Council seem to think that if they talk aimlessly with residents about no specified agenda, we are being well served. 

The problem is no one knows what they really do as the decisions are supposedly made behind closed doors – and that is a practice that is not recommended by our senior watchdogs.  

They refer to Councils that do that as ‘rubber stamps’.

If you are one of many who have asked Council a question, you are most likely disappointed with the response – mostly the question does not get answered and the response usually does not have much to do with the issue.  

This is especially true if it is a financial question or on a topic that is not being well managed.

The Council have a plan which says they will be transparent in their dealings with us residents.  

With the Budget due out shortly, with a promise of a 3.5% rate increase, see how you go getting answers.  

The Council financial reports are supposed to be in a form that all residents can read and understand.  

Good luck with trying to make sense from the Council efforts – they have made it an art form to not tell us the real facts.  

Like the fact they have $45 million in cash and financial instruments hidden away.  

Which has accumulated over the past 10 years because they cannot do the capital works they put into the Budget. 

That is a slush fund they can use to hide poor management.

Lindsay Love, Secretary, South Gippsland Action Group (‘SGAG’)