By Charlene Gatt
I READ your article Media Lockout (2 March 2010) and must admit to being frustrated with council (an ongoing feeling for many ratepayers in the area), but not surprised. This perhaps indicates the disdain they feel for the local area and its residents.
Over the past few years, the demographics of this municipality have changed greatly and many residents are now better educated than council staff members and earn more money and do not and will not accept the belief of senior members of council that they work for the people. As ratepayers, we have a completely opposite point of view. Maribyrnong Council and its senior staff are reeling from the fact that we understand our rights, are happy to communicate our concerns and will argue with them and not simply accept their often inappropriate, unacceptable, unwanted dictates that, at times, border on incompetence or gross misconduct.
As a member of one the resident groups, I believe that we are more than happy for the local media to attend planning forums and residents’ briefings – on many occasions I believe we have let the local press know that they are happening. While reporting “these discussions may not accurately reflect the final planning application that is presented”, I would suggest that local residents are actually very pleased that their objections, concerns and treatment by council are reflected in the free press for the whole community to read about.
The Press Should Be Free,
Seddon
