What are the dumb decisions?
Last month The Gazette reported on a policy adopted by council in 2019 that established evaluation guidelines for new capital works. Cr Danny Goss was mayor at that time.
Now, in 2022, Cr Goss and Cr Wallace are jumping out of the blocks to state council must follow the policy to stop “dumb decisions”. Where have these two councillors been since the policy was adopted? Which are the dumb decisions made by council in the years when Cr Goss was mayor?
Is former mayor Goss losing his grip on council, now wanting to impose restrictions on works important to East and West Ward Councillors but of no consequence to the Central Ward Councillors. They have the $30M first prize, $20M first loser or $15m second loser proposition for a new civic centre precinct fixed firmly in their minds. Not a business plan in sight and no figures on the operating cost or additional rates we will have to pay to cover the shortfall.
There has been debate in council about retention of a community building in Drouin. Thanks to a public outcry it has been saved for the time being. Central Ward Councillors will likely get their way after assessment against the latest version of the guidelines and it will be cheerio to this serviceable building.
Whatever policy is adopted here it is still in the councillors hands. It will not stop dumb decisions. Cr Goss said the policy and assessment matrix was the way big projects should be considered – show us this documentation for the civic centre precinct proposal that has been thrust on us. No candidate went to the last election with this project as a priority.
If this monumental dumb decision, chasing a $30m civic centre precinct was abandoned, and council sorted roads, traffic movement in Warragul and Drouin, parking and priorities in town planning we would see a giant step in the right direction.
Cr Wallace bemoaned that council was constrained by state government rate capping – thank goodness for this restriction. Who knows what rate level he would seek. Something for East Ward voters to keep in mind at the next elections. A council officer is quoted saying the policy would enhance transparency and public confidence in the decision-making process. Based on the business conducted behind closed doors, don’t hold your breath.
Don McLean, Warragul