Shire officers’ reports lack ‘depth and quality
’Congratulations Cr Anthony Marsh for having the intestinal fortitude to publicly record the honest assessment as to the quality and effectiveness of management reports that are provided by Mornington Peninsula Shire officers to enable councillors to make informed decisions (Potter review takes centre stage, The News 21/5/24).
I, like many other observers of the shire’s operational activities, have over the past three to four years noticed a marked reduction in the depth of analysis and quality of advice contained in management reports. It appears to my observation that the shire’s management consider their elected officials as no more than a “flick and tick committee”, where comment and questions are not sought nor welcomed.
I have seen firsthand at a council meeting where the body language of a senior shire officer was blatantly contemptuous while Cr David Gill was posing a question in respect of the officer’s portfolio responsibilities.
The Briars issue is a classic example of shire officers treating councillors with little respect. Is it actually the core business of shire officers to negotiate contracts with the private sector for the use of shire property/assets and then present the result as a “done deal” to councillors (subject to them signing a non-disclosure agreement)? Blind Freddie could see what the community’s reaction to the intended outcome would have been with zero consultation.
But, by their very actions, all that the shire officers did was to effectively “throw all councillors under the bus” – hardly a respectful course of action.
I trust that Cr Marsh will use the balance of this council term to garner sufficient support from his fellow councillors to get the presentation of management information standards back to the level that they used to be.
Stuart Allen, Dromana
Controlling council
Why is it necessary for councillors to sign non-disclosure agreements before fully understanding the documents (Potter review takes centre stage, The News 21/5/24)?
Who is responsible for directing the council? The CEO seems to wield significant power to the extent this creates the impression that no decisions can be made without such approval, which is authoritarian. The CEO must be involved in ensuring good governance for councillors and staff. However, granting the CEO and other council officers unchecked power is risky.
While it is important to consider and heed recommendations from council officers, the final decisions should always rest with the councillors. This may be uncomfortable for some, but leaving meetings early due to undisclosed matters beforehand is concerning.
Anne Kruger, Rye
Potter sounds ‘spooky’
The Harry Potter show [at The Briars, Mount Martha] has now been extended into mid-July. Again, no consultation from Mornington Peninsula Shire Council with the community, especially neighbours who have endured the “spooky” noises of “scary creatures” penetrating their homes on a nightly basis for months.
Can we assume big money is coming our way from multinational Warner Brothers in the clever deal sealed by the CEO and council officers? The CEO and mayor promised transparency on this issue. What is the cost to ratepayers for hosting the event at The Briars?
Ann Scally, Mount Martha
Election anticipation
This year’s council election cannot come around soon enough. The absolute disregard for wildlife, the environment, and the community some councillors (not all) have shown in recent times has been appalling. The Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience event at The Briars is, of course, what I am referring to. Words like debacle and fiasco have been oft used — and rightly so — to describe this mess of an event.
We seem to have councillors who are either more interested in photo opportunities, abusing the community on social media, deflecting by talking about their work in other areas, or delivering quotes from American politicians. During the meeting earlier this year where councillors voted to move the event out of the fenced in wildlife sanctuary a group of us had a chat going. Someone wryly commented: “What is this? The Academy Awards?”
These grandstanding councillors need a reality check. Let’s hope this year’s election delivers this and we vote the tone-deaf ones out. Fingers crossed for a more compassionate and measured council after the elections. Considering certain councillors in the current cohort, that shouldn’t be hard.
Katrina Larsen, Red Hill
Spending’s ‘hard choices’
I wish to thank Mount Martha Golf Club for the ongoing discussion about prioritising spending and best value for money in the focus by Mornington peninsula Shire Council on community building, through services and facilities, within budget constraints.
Council supports grassroots sports as, without facilities supported by ratepayers, we would not have these sports for our children now and into their adulthood. I am not implying that there is a privileged golf group as recently stated by a leading member of the club in this paper (Public golf course is there for all to use, Letters 21/4/24). I am looking at the hard choices that council makes to prioritise the spending of your money, especially in a time of high inflation, cost-shifting onto council, cost of living pressures and the need for serious cost cutting in shire budgets.
Can we afford two shire golf courses when there are many others on the peninsula? One of the shire’s courses is outsourced and not a burden on ratepayers, the other costs ratepayers a lot of money, as I have shown. It is possible to keep Mount Martha Golf Course, but I believe real change is needed (Market call to end golf losses, The News 7/5/24). I welcome further feedback.
David Gill, Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor, Red Hill Ward
Renewables cheaper
Thank you to [MP for Eastern Victoria] Tom McIntosh for his sensible and balanced insights into nuclear power (Libs double down on nuclear option, The News, 21/5/24). The recent GenCost report from the CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator made it clear that nuclear power is the most expensive energy for Australia and would not be available for at least 15 years. That is time and money we don’t have. Renewable energy is cheapest and most abundant in this country. We need leaders to keep championing solar, wind and battery storage for a cleaner energy future.
Amy Hiller, Kew
Handy bar help
Peninsula Transport Assist (PTA), a not-for-profit organisation, received a Dunkley Volunteer Grant which included $900 to spend on 20 handy bars which will assist clients who have difficulty exiting cars. PTA’s team of 60 volunteer drivers from Mornington Peninsula Shire and the City of Frankston often drive people with limited mobility.
On receipt of the $900 a PTA board member approached Coastcare Medical Equipment, Mornington and asked if a “better deal” could be done in the hope we might get a couple more handy bars for our $900. The Coastcare boss was phoned, and the answer came back that we could have 30 for that money. What a pleasant surprise, as we thought we might get one or two extra, but we got 10.
PTA is extremely grateful for this generosity, and we’re sure our clients will be too when they find it easier to exit the volunteer driver’s vehicle.
Clare Harwood, volunteer driver liaison, Peninsula Transport Assist
Protest peacefully
Australian servicemen served in Afghanistan and there was very little or no reporting on their involvement in the war which lasted some 17 years. Yet the attack by Hamas and retaliation by Israel is a daily blow by blow event in the Melbourne media. This conflict has divided Australians and has led to protests and public disorder.
The only real focus on our troops in Afghanistan was when they returned and mainly the Australian Broadcasting Corporation focused on alleged war crimes which adversely affects military personnel serving and returned servicemen.
Protests have come to Frankston as seen last week when environmentalists protested outside [Dunkley MP] Jodie Belyea’s offices in the Frankston CBD. Protests are part of democracies such as Australia but must be peaceful if they are going to get Australians supporting their cause.
Russell Morse, Karingal
