It quite clearly says in the Local Government Act (NSW) that it is the role of the State Governor to get involved in the appointment of an administrator to a council in disgrace or to order a fresh election.
I was approached during the week about this and a closer study of the Act – Section 256 – also suggests the Governor may, by those or other proclamations, make such further orders as the Minister recommends are necessary in the circumstances.
It appears, however, that in Wollongong’s case and Port Macquarie council, too, that the Minister has been the key player.
I was also asked why Port Macquarie had a single administrator appointed and we have three.
Well, I don’t know the answer to this and it probably doesn’t matter in the scheme of things.
Nonetheless, and despite the above questions, our administrators didn’t take long – about 30 minutes – to complete their first official meeting.
And on a brighter note for ratepayers who feel they have been neglected in the past, the administrators decided they needed to see for themselves the scenario that surrounds the controversial West Dapto land proposal.
An encouraging start, I would suggest.
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WIN Stadium move gives concern
A strong call by the former Labor member for the city Colin Markham to have Premier Morris “Who” find us some money to extend the facilities at WIN Stadium might sound all right on the surface.
There are many out there who I’ve discussed the idea with who firmly believe that if rugby league wants to improve its facilities it should be meeting the bills.
As one suggested, if a teenager can be offered $1.6 million to play for the next four years for the Broncos obviously there is money out there which could be spent on improving infrastructure and not have taxpayers meet yet another bill.
And, as another stated, would the Vikings Rugby Union Club be the only sporting organisation in this city to develop and maintain its playing and viewing facilities?
A good question. Maybe hockey and netball could be on that list.
Then there was the fellow who suggested rugby – both codes – the AFL and soccer are regarded today as businesses in their own right, so they should meet these extra costs.
I think I’ll get off this subject while the going’s still good!!
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We make them green with envy
It came as a breath of fresh air, the news that Wollongong topped the state in claiming rebates for water tank installations.
And, what’s more, we came equal first with Port Macquarie / Hastings – another city council recently sacked – in claims for hot water systems.
Evidently some 16,000 households received Climate Change Fund rebates from the NSW government.
The fund also pays rebates for installing or improving insulation and installing rainwater tanks.
We finished fourth as far as insulation was concerned.
Congratulations to all businesses and individuals concerned. It’s good to see not everyone down here is “wet behind the ears”.
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A chance to help
If you are looking for a different day out mark down Sunday May 25 in your calendar.
The AMF Illawarra Strikezone at Albion Park Rail is planning a bumper fun and family day to raise funds for Camp Quality.
For a gold coin donation you and the family can have crack at tenpin bowling, view a car show with a difference and enjoy a range of other activities including – for the kids, especially – a jumping castle, face painting, tea cup amusement rides and Matilda’s farm yard animals.
The centre’s Cathie Russell is behind all this fun and you can get more information from her on 0434 656 190 or by phoning the centre on 4257 9333.
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Will it never end?
Despite all the public bleatings up they went again on Thursday. Petrol prices, of course.
The Federal Government has repeatedly said it will bring relief to motorists, and the NRMA continues to gab on incessantly about the same subject.
But nothing happens, which makes you wonder just what these large petrol cartels have over the government.
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The UN at a cost
Our globetrotting PM Kevin “have the job, will travel” Rudd continues his way around the world, an 18-day almost non–stop bonanza that will cost us taxpayers heaps.
And he’s not alone. The word is that included in his entourage were some 45 media people including journos, camera people and the like.
Add to this is his move to have us on the board, so to speak, of the United Nations Council, a move that could cost us some $30 million.
It’s a pity he doesn’t spend as much time on the affairs of the land back here.
I’m disappointed that Kevin doesn’t seem to have included Disneyland in his travels. He might feel more at home there with some of its Looney characters.
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Wollongong at the crossroads
It appears that soft targets are now the solution for the Administrators to recoup the millions of sweetheart deals developers received. Would it now be appropriate that the Administrator pursued the developers to recover ratepayers funds? May I say that the sacking of Wollongong Council may appear to be extreme; nevertheless to change a culture that has existed in Wollongong for decades this new broom must sweep clean the errors of the past.
Don’t tell me that the mayor and independent councillors did not see that the Victoria Square development did not comply with the permissible site coverage. Blind Freddie could see that the footprint of the building was excessive and the height was suspect. No one questioned this obvious out-of-order development. If the non Labor councillors were not cognisant of this glaring anomaly then surely they were either part of the problem like our Labor councillors or ignorant of the fact. Either way, sacking this non-compliant culture of Council is the first step in changing this unsavory culture.
Getting back to the Council heavy handing our volunteers, this is just a continuation of the bully element of Council. Giving our wonderful volunteers 14 days to sign a lease is appalling. My belief is that the whole concept of demanding a lease should be questioned. The very land and buildings belong to the community; as such some voluntary organisations do not have a tenant / landlord association. The current tenancy may be protected in terms that no existing contract exists between the parties in terms of a lease and obligations pertaining to any such lease.
Whoever devised this brain dead idea lacks the first rule in business that is survival then growth. The volunteers of Wollongong and in every society are the glue for the fabric and if Council pursues this folly and places these ridiculous imposts on people who provide millions of FREE services to the needy and, in the museum context, a place of importance and interest to visitors to the region.
This proposal beggars commercial reality. Will Council provide these essential services and places of tourism interest other than have guided bus tours past the Wollongong Council building that housed such infamous behaviours; I think not.
To highlight Council’s inability to provide basic services, each morning our children freeze in non-compliant so-called heated pools in the Illawarra. From experience, each morning my daughter is exposed to cold water that does not meet contemporary standards. It appears every other Council with heated pools can meet a minimum standard, but not good old Wollongong Council.
We bask in our world record breaking swim team; simply Council’s failure to provide this basic service reflects an attitude that the Illawarra does not want to create BASIC facilities to contribute to our national team or meet ratepayers’ expectations.
Afterall, Council was given the land and improvements on site and charges fees to enter the pool and fees from coaches to train our swimmers. If Council has a multi-million dollar asset given to them surely they can provide simple heating.
In reality Council may be in breach of the sale of goods act and falsely representing a service that fails to meet consumer standards.
Robert Hurley has improved his times where he is right on the cusp of qualifying for the Olympics. It is believed he moved to seek conditions that are conducive to winning. Are we to witness the likes of Ron McKeon developing champions and see them walk out on Wollongong?
Surely a little planning and understanding of contemporary management and resource the correct projects requires major review. Kill the ability of our volunteers to function and we will see the ongoing failure of Wollongong Council escalate to the point of user or Council pays and simply we and they cannot. Goodbye volunteers and excellent free services for the Community and Council.
Obviously more sackings are required and CAN DO people appointed to move this Council into this millennium.
Yours in major Council reform and admirer of our voluntary organisations.
Ian Fulford for ATCS NSW
When the museum article appeared in the Mercury it was almost immediately followed by 49 'Reader's Opinions' - only one of which was sympathetic to the Illawarra Historical Society. The other 48 were whinging on about wasting ratepayers’ money.
Fergie
Sacked Wollongong councillors
There's a petition circulating for WCC residents to vote in September.
While everyone is crying 'democracy' (which didn't do us much good over the last umpteen years), the fact remains that the Administrators have been appointed and I would like them to stay there till they clean out the stables.
P Ferguson
Berkeley
Dave Martin has been criticised
The record of former Wollongong councillor, Dave Martin, has been criticised of late by Rod Oxley among others.
As I recall, Dave was one of the hardest working councillors over very many years. He was also one who actually spoke out often about Council's numerous deficiencies. The Rawson St deal was a major example.
However, his incisive and constructive contributions were usually ignored or opposed by the "controlling group" (both councillors and officers) at Council.
His record was definitely in sharp contrast to that of former Lord Mayor Alex Darling. Alex never saw much wrong with Council at all and was perceived as a regular cheerleader for Rod Oxley during Rod's tenure as General Manager and CEO.
Alex was also recently quoted as saying "I don't know what a developer is". What a pity, since he might otherwise discover what his friend, Ken Tugrul, actually does for a living.
David Moulds | 
