Don’t bother standing – says petitioner

A Warragul business owner has started a petition asking the State Government to sack Baw Baw Shire Council and appoint an administrator.

Andy Unstead is aiming to collect 500010,000 signatures before the October council election.

The petition asks the State Government to appoint an administrator to “restore basic services not being undertaken by the shire and to ensure public funds are being used correctly to help improve our region.”

Mr Unstead has been in a long-running dispute with the council over parking in Mason Street.

Asked how many had signed so far, Mr Unstead said he had five pages of signature collected in his shop alone.

“We could be getting a thousand a day if I could just get it out there,” he said. “People are so fed up with this council.” He hopes to persuade people not to nominate for the upcoming election.

“Anyone who is going to stand should be aware that this council could be short-lived.”

He said new councillors would make no difference since it was the administration that was the problem.

“We’ve got some good councillors who are not seeking re-election for that reason.

“They can’t make any difference. They are butting their heads against a brick wall.

“They can go to the department heads until they’re blue in the face but nothing happens.”

The petition states “Continually Shire staff and the Executive Team are ignoring the local community failing to properly invest in areas such as roads, footpaths and other community assets.

“Concerns have been raised regarding the expenditure of Council on non-essential projects however no response given has satisfied local communities who feel ignored.”

Mr Unstead is hoping to collect several thousand signatures over the next few weeks and will ask Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood to present the petition to Parliament.

Mayor Joe Gauci said he was aware of the petition but said council would “react to it when it finally comes to us.”

Cr Gauci said all residents had the right to go to state and federal politicians.

However, Cr Gauci disputed the content of Mr Unstead’s petition, defending the money council had spent to improve footpaths, roads and other assets.

He said the current council had invested $114 million in capital works projects during its four year term.

Cr Gauci also denied Mr Unstead’s claim that staff and the executive team were “ignoring” the community.

He said council regularly consulted with the community through online and public information sessions.

“If he can come up with a better idea of how we get out to the public, then I’d love to hear it,” he said.

The mayor also denied some councillors were not renominating because they felt they were butting their heads against a wall.

He said Crs David Balfour and Murray Cook were retiring because of their age and to let new people have the opportunity, Cr Terry Williamson only ever wanted to do one term and he said Cr Gerard Murphy was retiring because of work commitments.

136 Queen St, Warragul. Ph: 5623 1940.