A GROUP that purports to represent the residents and ratepayers of the Bega Valley has hit back at claims it is wasting council time and resources.
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A report released this week by the Bega Valley Shire Council revealed that between September 2012 and April 2015, the council has received and had to deal with 209 pieces of correspondence from the Bega Valley Residents and Ratepayers Association.
That number included 18 formal Government Information Public (GIPA) applications from BVSRRA secretary John Richardson on behalf of the organisation.
The information was tabled at last week’s Bega Valley Shire Council meeting in response to a request from Cr Kristy McBain for a report on the volume of correspondence from the organisation and its impact on council time and operations.
The breakdown of the figures showed there were two items in 2012, 53 items in 2013, 116 in 2014 and 36 from January 1 to April 30, 2015.
However, BVSRRA president Peter Rogers said it was not the volume of letters to the council that should be the focus, but the number of issues raised in that correspondence.
He also said the council report is “an effort to discredit the organisation”.
“We make representations and ask for information on behalf of residents and ratepayers,” Mr Rogers said.
“Some issues are amplified and involve back and forth emails and letters, generating ongoing correspondence.”
Mr Rogers said issues raised by the BVSRRA included concerns over the Littleton Gardens tree removal, its redevelopment and associated costs, safety issues with Tathra Wharf and the operation of the Merimbula Airport.
There have also been two official code of conduct complaints lodged – one against general manager Leanne Barnes, ironically enough for the way in which the council dealt with and responded to correspondence.
No breach of the code was found and a report from an independent reviewer recommended that structured, minuted meetings could be a mechanism to achieve a good level of communication between the council and the BVSRRA.
Mr Rogers said the association wasn’t averse to meeting with the council, but took issue with council requests to make minutes and issues tabled at BVSRRA meetings accessible to the council during those discussions.
“Our relationship with the council and councillors is quite cordial – but we do speak our mind,” he said.
“We’ve said we will meet them anytime, but not with those requirements imposed.”
Mr Rogers said the BVSRRA will be taking its engagement with council matters further, planning to endorse candidates at the next local government election.
“It’s to change the culture of council,” he said.
“Candidates are all about transparency before being elected, but afterwards they surround you with GIPA applications at $30 a pop – we don’t have those resources.”
