Page 6 of the Local News section in the PM Independent newspaper featured three main items, namely, “Water quality secured”, “Airport upgrade takes flight”, and “Rates set to rise to meet infrastructure backlog”.
All involve our council under administration and should raise serious questions in the minds of ratepayers about how well we are being governed at the local level.
In the first item we are informed that council and the North Coast Public Health Unit have a shared interest in ensuring that we are supplied with “water that is safe to drink and ensures the protection of public health…” The imminent fluoridation of our water supply doesn’t rate a mention. Aside from threatening general health, this outrage will cost ratepayers an additional $200K + per annum.
Our council seems more focused on winning flashy, ‘big ticket’ events for our area and in promoting tourism – rather than fixing our appalling roads. Not surprisingly, this council is also seeking a $25M upgrade of our airport to accommodate larger jets bringing more visitors. Local CBD businesses would be the principal beneficiaries here and ratepayers would shoulder most of the financial burden. Is Port’s Chamber of Commerce running this show?
Now council wants us to dig deeper into our pockets to pay for the infrastructure backlog for which the present and past councils share responsibility. Sadly, this suggests muddled priorities and inappropriate management of our rate dollars.
We now have a new State Government, Jillian Skinner as Health Minister, and a new Director-General for Health, Dr Mary Foley, who acknowledges “a major thrust towards more local decision making”.
I would be delighted to see council elections brought forward, and for ratepayers to be extended the courtesy of voting in a second poll on water fluoridation.
John Lusk,
Dunbogan
