Will there be a three-question poll for Federation residents and ratepayers about Federation Council - relating to the amalgamation in 2016 of Corowa and Urana Shires and future representation - on council’s election day, September 14?
That’s the burning question after council’s latest monthly meeting on June 25.
At its May meeting, after much debate, all councillors, except for Cr Gail Law, voted to hold a poll asking three questions of voters: 1. Do you believe that the forced amalgamation by the State Government in 2016 was a mistake? 2. Should the state government compensate ratepayers for the ongoing costs of the amalgamation? 3. Do you support that council should approach the State Government to guarantee representation for the former Urana Shire?
Council agreed to the action which was originated by Cr David Fahey OAM after he flagged his intention to do so at council’s April meeting.
But at council’s June meeting, five councillors were clearly unhappy about extra costs to have the poll conducted.
Whilst Crs Fahey, Shaun Whitechurch and Mayor Pat Bourke voted in favour of extra costs outlined by council’s General Manager Adrian Butler, five councillors were not. They were Crs Rowena Black, Aaron Nicholls, Sally Hughes, Gail Law and David Longley. Cr Andrew Kenndy was absent. It was a 5:3 vote against committing councils to any additional costs, regardless from where the money was going to come.
Whether a poll is held may well be decided at council’s July meeting; a recission motion to veto council’s May decision could be lodged which would be further considered by council.
For council’s June meeting, acting on the May decision to proceed with a poll, General Manager Adrian Butler advised councillors the current budget for the 2024 election to be conducted by the NSW Electoral Commission is $185,000.
“The quote to conduct the poll has been provided and results in an increase of $17,180. In addition to the NSW EC costs, council would be recommended to endorse a budget of $20,000 to ensure the communication of this is adequate to the public, prior to voting day,” he said.
“It is recommended to carry forward $40,000 from the Councillor travel and Councillor budget as there are sufficient savings in this budget.”
Like the May meeting, the debate was on again. Cr Law described the $40,000 allowance or cost as “obnoxious”, Cr Black forecasted predictable answers to the first two questions and regarding costs, said council has decided, in this year’s budget, to forego the $30,000 half-yearly small community grants which helped many volunteer organisations.
Mayor Bourke said the poll was about holding the state government to account by demonstrating the community needed help with additional costs incurred by the merger.
“As councillors, we make decisions, yes, and we consult with the community,” he said.
“If we can get 8,000 signatures it puts pressure on the state government to do something,” Cr Fahey.
“What price is democracy? It’s a small price to pay when we’ve got nearly a $60 million budget.”
An amendment to make it $20,000 instead of $40,000 was defeated five votes to three. The amendment became the motion and was also defeated 3:5.
After the meeting, Cr Fahey told The Free Press: “I’m really disappointed that we had councillors support a poll at last month’s meeting and now councillors are flip flopping. We’re denying ratepayers from having their say.”