Tweed Shire Council rates cannot go up to the extent that is planned in this economic climate.
In the real world, most businesses, be they retail, commercial, industry, manufacturing, building or development have cut back.
Council is in serious denial if it doesn’t cut budgets across all departments.
Relocate a large portion of the savings to necessary infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water, and sewerage.
Reconsider feel good vote catching social programs, these should stop, slow or shift to programs that embrace housing, food, power or heating cost.
A healthy business sector wouldn’t need council to fund these social issues.
For a start, stimulate the process of DAs. If a DA has been given the tick and senior management and department heads approve it as embracing Local Government, State and Federal laws, then, why waste time and money waffling on through the next, and the next council meeting to arrive at the same approval conclusion four to six weeks later?
This state, this council and these communities are seriously hurting.
Business owners, employers, haven’t got the luxury of a fixed income with assured super fund retirements. With the contracting of our new general manager, a new approach should commence.
Instill in council staff, middle and upper management, a sense of confidence to make decisions without fear of having to obtain a ‘smiley face stamp’ from ‘the boss’ on every occasion.
Tweed Shire Council has the motivational capacity to stimulate the local economy.
Remember, rational decisions by past and present staff and management kept this council afloat, whilst the State, Australia and the world floundered.
So to all people on council and working for council, it’s time to get behind our new general manager and go out of the way to assist local people and their endeavors as soon as possible. Empty the ‘In Tray’ and help where you can.
Stuart Cahill
Burringbar
