The Great Lakes community has spoken, and the majority of ratepayers are not in favour of a planned office centralisation of MidCoast Council to Taree.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
At a sometimes passionate community consultation at Forster council chambers earlier this week, Monday, November 26 just a handful of ratepayers demonstrated they were in favour of a move.
Following a short outline of the proposal from general manager, Adrian, Panuccio, community spaces and services director, Paul De Szdell and corporate and business systems director, Steve Embry the floor was open to members of the community
Councillors were represented by Mayor David West, Jan McWilliams, Claire Pontin and Peter Epov.
Failford resident, Greg Heat said he was totally against the proposal.
“This is irresponsible spending of our money and it is inconvenient, ” Mr Heat said.
Chris Armstrong from Forster said she was under the impression the amalgamation was supposed to save the community money, not cost money.
This is irresponsible spending of our money and it is inconvenient.
- Greg Heat
“I have come here with an open mind to hear what they have to say,” she said.
“But, I don’t think they will listen to the community.”
With undertones of anger from the meeting Mr Panuccio explained the decision to established a head office in Taree was made by council’s elected representatives.
“Councillors have been involved with this decision making a unanimous decision in November 2017,” he said.
Mr Embry explained council was bringing all sites under one roof primarily for operational efficiencies.
“Studies have show that we will operate more efficiently in a single site.
“The one site option is more efficient than a campus model.”
He believed staff team-work would improve and work more effectively in one site.
Putting forward a ‘comfort level’ of a $20M spend, Mr Embry believed the true cost of the move would come in at $18.1M.
“Somehow I get the feeling this is just a warm, friendly meeting to makes us feel good,” Susan Walker said.
“I feel the decision has already been made.”
Judy Donnelly from Tarbuk Bay: “I have a strong feeling that our council is going to become Taree-centric.
Rateypayers also were concerned about council’s ability to rent both the Forster and Pultney Street, Taree sites.
“Is there a guarantee that the buildings will get a tenant; where are the tenants going to come from,” one ratepayer questioned.
He cited the large number of vacant office buildings in Forster Tuncurry.
“We know this building and Pultney Street will provide challenges,” Mr Embry said.
“We have been advised [property consultants] to adopt conservative rentals and the other option is to sell.”
“One of the major things is by centralising the offices it restricts job opportunities, John Fletcher from Forster said.
“By introducing this you take council away from the community.
“I am in favour of the campus model.”
Speaking on behalf of the majority of the 47 who attended the meeting, David Poole told council staff and councillors the community did not want council to move to Biripi Way.