IF you’re hot under the collar about something Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has or hasn’t done, next week may be your opportunity to find out more or have a say about it.
The Residents Action Network are holding their next public forum on Thursday 28 November, which will give RAN members and the public the opportunity to meet two of the serving councillors and hear them speak about their specific areas of responsibility.
Attendees will be able to ask the councillors questions regarding the topics covered and council in general.
The two councillors are deputy mayor Adam Roberts (Glasshouse, major projects) and Cr Lisa Intemann (roads and infrastructure and future planning).
Councillors will speak generally on their topics and also take questions from the floor and from the RAN committee. Attendees who would like to ask questions are asked to have these pre-prepared to ensure time is maximised.
“This will be the first opportunity since the council election for residents to listen to and question councillors in a public forum, so there are expected to be many issues raised,” spokesperson Rick Sharp said.
He said issues on RAN’s agenda included what happened to the 78 parking spaces mentioned in the development application for Glasshouse, whether council was going to consult the community about the huge rate rise they had planned for next year (more than seven per cent) and what council planned to do about the multi-million-dollar backlog of infrastructure repairs and replacement.
Mr Sharp said it was important for residents to take an interest in what their council was doing.
“The past history of this council shows just how important it is,” he said.
“We ended up with a council being dismissed and an administrator being put in charge for six years.
“This new council has only been in for a year, and we need to examine what they have done for the first year and where they are heading for the next year and subsequently.”
He said there was no charge to attend the form, and there would be free finger-food, wine and soft drinks available at the conclusion, which would give those attending the opportunity to speak to councillors and the RAN committee and members on a more informal basis.
Attendees will be also able to join RAN on the night, with membership costing only $10 per year (pensioners $5).
“Joining RAN will give you the opportunity to join a group designed to give individual residents a strong voice in what happens in our community,” Mr Sharp said.
“RAN is a community-based organisation made up of volunteers from diverse backgrounds who share common concerns about the quality and integrity of government in our local area.
“RAN recognises the variety of views and opinions in the Port Macquarie-Hastings community and aims to ensure that council decisions are based on full and proper consultation, so its actions are truly representative of the needs and wishes of the general population.
“In the past 10 years RAN has been responsible for 32 formal submissions to the council and other authorities, the most recent being a submission on Planning NSW’s White Paper of reforms to the state planning system.
“The submission on funding issues led to RAN representatives being invited to go to Sydney in 2008 to address Fred Nile’s Select Committee inquiry into Electoral and Political Party Funding.”
The forum next Thursday will be held in the upstairs conference room of the Port Macquarie City Bowling Club, Owen Street, Port Macquarie, from 5.30pm sharp and seating is limited, so arrive early if you want to secure a good seat.
If you are interested in attending but require transport please contact Chris on 6582 3986 and RAN will try to organise a lift to the event for you.
For further info, contact Chris McLoughlin on 6582 3986 or email residentsactionnetwork@outlook.com
