A MEETING in Merimbula on Tuesday night resolved to petition the Governor of NSW “to terminate the employment of the Bega Valley Shire administrator and call for the election of councillors immediately”.
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The meeting attracted about 90 people concerned about the extension of the council administrator’s term and the lack of democracy in the shire.
The meeting was called by former mayor of Bega Valley Shire Council, Mr Mick Allen.
Mr Rod Calvert has been the administrator of the council since August 1999 when the former council was dismissed and all civic offices were declared vacant.
Council elections are not expected to be held until February 2002, following a decision last month by the Minister for Local Government, Mr Harry Woods, to extend the administrator’s term by eight months.
At Tuesday night’s meeting, Mr Allen said there was no better system than democracy in the world but it had been taken away in the Bega Valley Shire.
The meeting passed a number of other resolutions.
It was resolved to ask councils across NSW to lobby to have the role of the executive officer returned to the elected mayors.
“In other words, this will put control of the council back into the hands of elected members and out of the general managers’ hands as is now the case according to the legislation,” Mr Allen said.
The meeting further resolved to petition the Legislative Council of NSW to hold an inquiry into the conduct of the Department of Local Government and Bega Valley Shire Council staff prior to and subsequent to the appointment of the administrator.
It was resolved that an approach be made to the judicial commission regarding the decision by Justice Sheahan on the agreed statement of facts presented by the EPA and the BVSC.
The meeting also resolved that the administrator be instructed that no contracts for a private company to run the shire’s water and sewerage be signed until a vote is taken of all residents of the shire.
Three of the sacked councillors, Mr Gordon Radford, Mr Stan Knight and Mr Don Fern, addressed the meeting.
Another sacked councillor, Mr Col Whelan, attended but did not speak.
Others who spoke were a former councillor, Mr Arch McKechnie of Bermagui, and Tarraganda resident, Mr John D’Arcy.
Theyo spoke about having difficulties with council staff.
Mr Terry Davies of Merimbula spoke about the need for council candidates to have proper training and a familiarisation and understanding of shire issues.
Mr Rick Davies ofPambula thanked Mr Allen for calling the meeting.
“It’s time to say we have had enough and we would like to have our shire back,” he said.
