You're Not Alone and Won't Be Ignored
  Huon Ratepayers Association Inc
 
Home
Contact Us
Disclaimer, Who are we? Membership, Donations, Jobs and forestry, Letters, Community Concerns
Local Government Act, Cr Rewards and Duties, Honours, 'Old' Letters, SLAPP and Defamation
Grapevine, Hardware Holster, Complaints, Workbox, May Article
2005 Council AGM, General Manager, HRA Councilor Candidate, 1080, letters and issues
Update #5, AGM, member letters since October (some published)
Pareto Principle, State and $250 Million for forestry.
 
Login - Username
Password

 

            Community Concerns           

Of concern are rate increases linked to the property boom and the doubling of Annual Values. HRA Questions how council is implementing this. Is an impost system available for those who cannot afford increases and why is council management so tedious, especially when we ask where increased revenue will be spent. Our Community needs affordable health and dental care, reliable water and reduction of council bureaucratic expenses to help share the burden of increasing costs and high unemployment.

         Local Gov Act ’93          

A 2004 review of the Local Government Act '93 resulted in General Managers having more powers to do as they see ft, provided it is not illegal. Changes are that Councillor criminal offences may be referred to police, at GM discretion. Minor breaches are heard by another Councillor, and a member of the community both chosen by Council (GM). Substantial charges to complain will be levied to lodge a complaint but they may be refunded, at the discretion of GM and/or Local Government Association of Tasmania (which also hears appeals) if the accusation is proven valid. Complaints against Council employees are heard by a Council employee, with appeals to the Mayor followed by the General Manager. HRA Questions the wisdom that gives a GM virtual authority to decide if Council conduct is wrong and/or what action is to be taken, if any. Further, that substantial charges to complain will discourage the public and that situations may arise where an Independent Councillor is reprimanded by a Senior Councillor who is part of the problem and be charged for the privilege! We wrote to Local Government and submitted consideration that an independent and Incorporated body, chosen by the complainant, is given authority to mediate complaints and that charges are determined as per Freedom of Information legislation which provides for a reduction or waiver if the complainant is of limited means. Further, that ‘the body’ is given permission to witness and record proceedings and can publish without fear of legal action. No answer has been received to date.

Code for Tendering and Contracting gives GM more powers to negotiate major deals with other Councils, Government agencies, Authorities and Associations with allegiances to Government without having to Tender Publicly. Councillors have authority to allocate large amounts of Ratepayers money (in the case of Huon Valley $250,000) for a GM to tender for and purchase major items of goods or services without further scrutiny by Councillors in a public meeting. HRA Questions the wisdom in handing large sums of Ratepayers money to any one person in Council. We are concerned that too many discretionary powers and exemptions will, eventually, lead to abuses (power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely) and we submitted that all dealings above $55,000, not subject to a clear and justifiable emergency, ought to be fully accountable and open to public tender.

           Councillor Duties, Rewards and Democracy           

Members of the public have no real influence in council decision making, regardless of merit, but councilors have a mandate to direct a general manager to do what is required -and that is where ratepayers have power….there are a total of  9 councilors representing us in the Huon Valley council; 6 are party to the ‘Future Team-Group’ of councilors (aligned with timber communities of Australia), 1 has declared himself independent and 2 are alligned with the Greens (essentially independent). For most councilors the job is part-time, depending on how duties and responsibilities are performed, and are paid over $8,000 pa, deputy mayor $17,500, mayor $35,000 plus (a) generous car, travel and training allowances (for some) plus the often more important intrinsic rewards of community standing, Honours, power over others, influence in decision making and favours for the greedy few we can't detail here. Estimated cost to ratepayers is over $300,000 per year. HRA Questions, are we getting good value for money, would we notice any difference if councilors are dismissed? Is block-voting by future team councilors really in our long term benefit? Is the general manager worth his contract near $124,000 pa plus the rest? How can we better recognise and reward the majority of our councilors when they keep their promises? huonratepayers@yahoo.com.au

             Honestly, who deserves what?        

The Order of Australia Honours system is used to recognise people when they give extraordinary service to their community. A process of checks and balances moderates the process of nominating, however, it is well known that politicians and their friends are the main recipients sometimes just for doing their extraordinarily well paid job while obviously more worthy people in the community are left wondering if that is really fair and reasonable. The fact is that anyone can nominate another; contact us for the details and a nomination form or log on to http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/

                www.councilconnect.tas.gov.au               

It’s the log-on with the lot, backed by tons of policy statements, advertisements and glowing articles. Unfortunately, we (and all other independent associations) are excluded unless we have approval from and are listed under the auspices of a site member; and that means council. We have been invited to submit articles, or start a forum, on http://www.tasmaniatogether.tas.gov.au/ but contents will be edited by government. Still, the site gives quick and easy access to services and, like Service Tasmania, may very well be recognised as deservedly innovative and worthy of an Intelligent Island. 

                  Letters                 

Disclaimer, Without Prejudice, letters are the opinion of the writers only -HRA accepts no responsibility

Desiderata. Don't go placidly amid the apathy and lethargy. Remember that your silence is consent and there can be no peace where there is injustice. Exercise trust in your business dealings but be circumspect, for the world is full of materialists. Be tolerant of the diversity that makes everyone special and be aware that there are no persons greater or lesser than yourself. Peter Willow, Kingston.

 

Block-voting. An objective overview of what does and doesn’t happen in the Huon Valley Municipality quickly exposes a small core of ‘future team’ Councillors who, hell bent in support of forestry no matter how damaging to other industries and our environment, attract pliable Councillors around themselves to block-vote more responsible and sustainable industry submissions made by other (often independent and/or Green) Councillors. While block-voting is legal (democracy is about numbers not about wisdom), intimidating independent Councillors to fall in line, muzzling the media and bullying members of the public clearly is not. Obvious similarities with State Government politics boils down to a parochialism that aggressively circumvents the spirit of democracy in ways to benefit just a few at the cost of many, and a recent writ lodged against protestors for Corporate Vilification (or is it freedom of speech usurped?) shows how bad things can get when too many people turn a blind eye and prefer not to get involved. Interestingly though, those who lodged the writ unwittingly show an appalling confidence that most people can be fooled or bullied into silence most of the time, and that may well backfire on them when it is shown that they rely on Vilification of a Political Group, which has proven integrity and no profit motive, for them to continue taking more while giving less! Who is the bully? We hope that democratic sanity will prevail -but money talks louder to a few unscrupulous Lawyers…..     Jeff Size (Cygnet)

 

Hear ‘tis; Food for Thought. Is it because Tourism clashes with Forestry (few tourists come to see slash and burn operations) that our Future Team Councillors are slow when it comes to Tourism? That would explain why there is no quality tourist and caravan park in the Huonville district; why Newood (Southwood) is a favourite development; why Council hired a Tourism Officer to fix the fact that Councillors were not unanimous in their support for the Huon Trail (Kingborough saw the light) and why Council is not interested in supporting the Cygnet Folk Festival? Perhaps there is some light at the end of the tunnel with one senior Huon Valley Councillor. He has the Tourism portfolio and recently advertised for investors to develop a Tourist friendly Motel in the district, and took the opportunity to prove he’s a politician by, again, blowing the horn over Council workbox awards. Unfortunately, no such efforts were available to support a local resident in Huonville who already has a Motel development going (Orchard Garden Estate), in fact, he was hindered and frustrated by Red Tape and bureaucrazy. Chris Bergh, Upper Woodstock

 

           What can HRA do for you?          

HRA newsletter #1 mentioned a host of concerns and issues. A few are resolved while others remain because complainants are hesitant to take a stand, do the work required, or information is not independently verifiable. We are here to support ratepayers and have established the following guidelines to help make our role clear (we may ask for a Statutory Declaration if the matter is serious);

Rules are that we expect your commitment to the issue, your intention to be truthful and approval for us to contact other parties involved and verify that a conflict exists which can't be resolved easily.

Member details are kept private. Contact information may be given when the member concerned has given us permission or offers a service that is public knowledge. The Public Officer may contact another member with a request that they contact the interested party.

Procedures are that you must have tried to resolve the issue with council, or other authority, but have been unsuccessful. We’ll then compare mission statements and, together, bring discrepancies to light. If not successful, we’ll proceed to a higher authority and seek media attention. Further action depends on our resources and public support but we’ll continue to support you with information and assist with responsible action.

               Writs and bits about defamation               

It has been said that defamation laws are written by and for those who have something to hide. Fortunately, in a Democracy, people also have the right to free speech without intimidation -and that is nice to know. One of the primary aims of The Huon Ratepayers Association is to help members better understand Ratepayer issues and responsibly challenge those who abuse the privileges we gave them. But what can we responsibly do when things are on the nose; hide and say nothing or stand and take the heat? Why not go out on a limb (that's where the fruit is) but be careful; defamation is about Slander -when a false and derogatory statement is made about another, Libel -when a false and derogatory statement is written.

Legal actions for slander are rare (a senior councilor sighs relief and continues making disgraceful anti Green comments) but the Laws in regard to libel are strict and action is taken, often a public apology sought, when it can be shown that the writer deliberately tried to malign an innocent person. Defences include fair comment as a matter of public interest, fair reporting and truth.

A few people, hell bent on controlling public opinion, resort to SLAPP members of the public when they dare to question and intimidate them into silence. One HRA member has been on the receiving end of such Strategic Law Action against Public Participation initiated by two council members. More details in the May 2005 article, or Google for copies or contact us huonratepayers@yahoo.com.au

          About Evasive and Misleading          

People in authority need to be diplomatic, sometimes evasive, when the public asks awkward questions or they’ll risk embarrassing their superiors and/or compromise policy. While that is understandable, the truth is often better out than in or they, and the authority they’re trying to shield, risk being seen as untrustworthy -and threatening to sue people for trying to fill in the blanks will only confirm suspicions.

Council Management would be wise to remember and practice Local Government directives;

‘Council is responsible to the local community; has to be open, democratic and transparent and has a duty to ensure that all community groups and individuals are free to question and challenge the reasonableness and validity of any decision or action Council, or elected representative, has or may take in the future’    

                                          from ‘Tasmania Together Objectives’

        Rate and Infrastructure Relief ?      

HRA Newsletter #1 reported on council favoritism for South-Newood and suspicions about the value of Annual Assessed Values and lengthy delays in collecting Rates (Rates are not levied on public lands). Mayor and chairman Cr Armstrong couldn’t deny that support is given to some businesses, at the discretion of GM as driven by government. HRA Questions the validity of support that is given on the whims of a few who may have vested interests. Others will have to pay more to balance the budget and the suppression of public queries strengthens suspicions that something is on the nose, and it is not a burn-off.

 

   This website is part of the CommunityGuide.com.au Network
SEO - Search Engine Optimisation Results by Websyte Corporation