Chris Oldfield, Naracoorte Community News
Almost 200 people crowded into the Town Hall last week to ask questions and learn more about the two mayoral candidates, and 12 of the 16 candidates standing for Naracoorte Lucindale Council.
In order of their positions on the ballot paper, esteemed MC Glen Hamlyn asked the first question of the Q&A event organiser and mayoral candidate Patrick Ross, then Erika Vickery.
“Having not been a councillor before, do you feel you understand the system enough to take on the mayoral role?” Mr Hamlyn asked.
Mr Ross said the role was about leadership “and the ability to take people on a journey, and the ability to deliver outcomes”.
“If I was running as a councillor for the first time, well I haven’t done that role either,” Mr Ross said.
Highlighting many examples of taking on leadership roles for the first time, Mr Ross also referred to an article in The News – (a rare and prestigious State CFS award recently bestowed on him for leadership).
“In that role, and any other role where I’ve been leader, I’m strong and inclusive – having a good understanding that all team members are valuable,” he said.
“Inclusive means … it involves everyone. Exclusive means there will be some that will be excluded… and if you’re trying to run a team and you’re excluding people … rest assured that you’re going to have a divided team.
“Over the past two weeks it has become evident that many electors have a perception that they have been excluded.
“Exclusion from the decision-making process, perceptions of mistrust, and the need for change is very evident. I bring you fresh and unencumbered leadership.”
Dean Siegert asked if Mr Ross attended any council meetings in the last 12 months. Mr Ross said he did not, but had previously.
Michael Lyons: “With your business interests, would you have the time to devote to the mayoral position, and be a strong representative directing the council?”.
Mr Ross said his business was farming. A family member had joined him two years ago and was more than capable of filling the role he had once done individually for 40 years. “So, Yes”.
Colin Earl asked Mr Ross another question about recent council meeting attendance. Mr Ross said his experience of leadership spanned 25-30 years. He had no concerns about whether or not he attended the last 30 meetings and had taken a keen interest in agendas and minutes.
Guy Redway said there was a perception “amongst some of us in the periphery … we have been dudded down, we’re getting a bad deal” in terms of providing more rates, and less in terms of services and road building. He asked Mr Ross if he shared the perception and what he could do because “we are getting very disgruntled”.
Mr Ross said “without doubt” there was a perception, and 58 percent of the money council raised, was from those outside the town. “I can only advocate for electors. It is councillors who actually do the voting and make the policy change for whatever is given to the CEO so it goes to the work staff.”
Andrew Dolan asked about Mr Ross’s position on the North Parklands.
“Great question Andrew … Andrew gave me a plan of (Robert Moore’s proposal) for the North Park Lands.” Mr Ross said.
Mr Ross said he understood Robert Moore had withdrawn his proposal. He explained why the council’s current position “is appropriate”.
Holding up a copy of Nicole Johnson’s plan for the North Parklands, he also believed the area would be one of the priorities of a new council.
He said Ms Johnson – who operates a social media site to Save the North Parklands – “ought to be commended”.
Explaining his long history of conserving South East native vegetation including 10 percent of his own property, as well as a 12,000 acre environmental project, Mr Ross said “you can actually love to death the landscape you are trying to protect”.
He said the slightest footprint could have a detrimental effect such as “more tracks, more seating, and more rubbish bins”.
“So if I was to say to you Andrew I’m not for development, I would also be telling Nicole that … that doesn’t fit with what she has put forward. So, let’s tread carefully with the North Parklands.”
Natasha Biggins asked what leadership and bias Mr Ross might have – he said “hopefully none”, and explained the importance of leadership being strong, focussed and inclusive.
Mrs Vickery
Mrs Vickery’s first question came from Sam Brooker who asked “what it is you actually do, and what the last 12 months has looked like” in terms of time spent as mayor.
Mrs Vickery said the role of mayor was “leading and chairing meetings, of which we have one every month”.
“We do also have workshops and committee meetings as required,” Mrs Vickery said.
She said she also met with people for various reasons. “Some are asking for, you know, something to be done in their area. Sometimes it is new businesses wanting to set up”.
Mr Vickery explained, although it was not the role of mayor, as a member of Local Government she was also involved with several other boards and groups.
Some of those included the Limestone Coast Local Government Association, the SA Regional Organisation of Councils, SA Country Arts Board, SA Grants and Boundary Reform Commission, Limestone Coast Regional Development Board, and SA Migrant Resource Centre Board.
Mrs Vickery said the other thing she was “pleased to do” was attend civic receptions such as citizenship ceremonies, Australia Day, and Harmony Day – “all the events that council actually organizes and supports”.
“I always put the business of Naracoorte Lucindale foremost,” she said.
Nick Mueller said he was a farmer and business owner in Naracoorte.
“I am just wondering how often do you and all the council together go around our rural roads and have a look?”
Mrs Vickery said “usually when we do our budget deliberations, we have a bus trip around our district”. She said all elected members and staff went.
“I certainly travel around the district and also have a look. And I can assure you that our phones are always open for anyone who wishes to report anything to us. So please make sure that you make contact to the elected members and myself if you need to.”
Mr Mueller described how he previously contacted the council “and nothing has been done, so why should we believe that?”
There was a loud applause, Mrs Vickery said she apologised for that and suggested he contact the council again.
Leanne Greaetz highlighted council budgets blowing over, including the library and asked why it always seemed to be happening?
Mrs Vickery detailed the process of the new library from four years ago, the $2m budget, the purchase of the building, how the building needed to connect to the Town Hall and the “extras”.
She said it was “slightly over $2m. But at the time, we wanted to keep our budget line to 2 million so that everyone didn’t think that we had more to spend.”
Heather Gibbons asked how the community could be well informed and able to influence the council “when the council’s track record is to have meetings behind closed doors without any minutes being available to the public?” There was a round of applause.
Mrs Vickery said “the workshops that council has are as you say behind closed doors but are in confidence. They are opportunities for the elected members and staff to discuss particular projects, ideas, throw around all sorts of suggestions but no decisions are made at those workshops”.
She said they also assisted staff to write up reports in a direction that council was likely to do.
Rachel Mahney reflected on Mrs Vickery’s earlier comments about helping to get grants. “If you go, are we going to miss out? How directly involved are you with- you mentioned $3.3 million. Is that something we need to be thinking about?
Mrs Vickery said the Federal Assistance Grants she was talking about “are given to every council”. Mrs Vickery explained her role as mayor and as part of various groups was to advocate for them.
Jennifer Grundy asked if the council got any funds from the State Government?
Mrs Vickery said yes, State Government does provide “certain grants at certain times”.
In order of their positions on the ballot paper, Mr Hamlyn then called on each of the 12 council candidates present, including a proxy for Huck Shepherd.
Related stories: People power: Big crowd for Q&A event; Smart blocks questions in public; Hushed crowd listens
This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.
