Anstis queries usefulness of association

Baw Baw shire’s chief executive officer Helen Anstis has queried the usefulness of the Baw Baw Shire Ratepayers’ and Citizens’ Association and whether it should continue.

In a report to the association’s annual meeting last week president Geoff Anderson said Ms Anstis raised the issue at a meeting last month also attended by then mayor Cr Joe Gauci, Cr Peter Kostos, himself and association secretary Kerry Elliott.

According to Mr Anderson the shire CEO had stated that many of the matters raised with the shire by the association should have been submitted by individuals through “the effective complaints system on the shire’s website”.

However, he said at last week’s annual meeting attended by Ms Anstis she had supported the association’s continued existence describing her earlier remark as “a throwaway line”.

Mr Anderson said he agreed with the chief executive officer’s comment regarding the council complaints process that he believed was a “good mechanism” with the association only needing to follow up on matters raised that were not addressed.

A “reluctant” Mr Anderson accepted nomination for a third year as president saying he would “keep the seat warm” for somebody else to take over the role in 12 months.

Doreen Westwood continues as treasurer and Ms Elliott as minute secretary.

Mr Anderson said he found the presidency difficult because he was “frequently at odds” with the overall view of the association.

“I would feel more comfortable not being at the top of the table and not having to defend some views that I don’t fully support,” he said.

However, Mr Anderson strongly believes the BBSRCA has a future but needs to broaden its focus to be more representative of the shire as a whole and not be “Warragul-centric”.

He said the organisation had only 35 members and attendances at monthly meeting averaged 18-20 people.

“As well as a more Shire-wide focus the association needs to address State and possibly Federal government matters and support the council on issues it raises with the other levels of government”.

Mr Anderson wished the recently elected council well but said it would be a steep learning curve for the new councillors, particularly when they find out how the Local Government Act affords them little control in running the organisation.