The real question

Margot Giblin

During debate on the issue of remuneration for alderman Zucco said I’ll say to any reporter – Do you think we’re worth $15 an hour or $30?

Hobart City Council
Open Meeting
Monday 30 July 2007
5pm

Aldermen Present: Chairman Lord Mayor Rob Valentine, Deputy Lord Mayor Eva Ruzicka, Jeff Briscoe, Peter Sexton, Ron Christie, Philip Cocker, Helen Burnet, John Freeman, Eric Hayes, Marti Zucco, Lyn Archer.
Leave of Absence: Darlene Haigh

Public Question Time saw Bill Harvey asking a three part question in relation to whether Council sees the increase in the number of franchise operations in Salamanca as a threat to the Market and if so, what it is going to do about it.
The reply referred to a report, endorsed by Council on 28 May 07, by Enterprise Marketing which undertook a Sustainability Study in relation to the Salamanca Place precinct. Council is working to implement its recommendations through the development of a Salamanca Market brand and a strategy with a website aimed at attracting local innovative businesses.
Bill Harvey wondered aloud which part of his question was being addressed given that he hadn’t asked a question to which any of the above was the answer. No attempt was made to clarify this except to say that there could be no objection to Legs and Breasts’ application to open an outlet in the area on the basis of use.

Some Agenda Items
The application for a karaoke bar to be established in Magnet Court, Sandy Bay, was withdrawn because the applicants, aware of the level of concern from neighbouring residents, have decided to seek premises closer to the CBD.

A long running debate over the future of a tree at 457 Sandy Bay Rd has been settled in favour of the applicant/owner who wants it cut down and the neighbours who have found its shedding of needles a nuisance. Supporting the Council officers’ report in favour of leaving the tree alone Cocker and Burnet opposed the tree’s demise. Their stance was, in Christie’s view, ‘an opportunity for our Green colleagues to turn this into a political stump’. Valentine asked for this remark to be withdrawn until he was assured that it was not intended as a personal reference to anyone at the Council table.

The Sandy Bay Bowls Club has applied for a planning scheme amendment to enable demolition before building of new clubrooms and 17 flats. Freeman regretted that provision of models for such developments was not mandatory given their usefulness to those who can’t think in 3D and congratulated the applicant for its flexibility in already adapting the original plan by a significant height reduction. Burnet argued for the importance in any suburb of recreational facilities and the balance between these and housing needs. Hayes contributed his view that ageing, especially after the loss of a partner, can bring the dangers of boredom and that the social interaction provided by such venues was important. The development of the flats to ensure the continued viability of the sporting venue was supported. Further public consultation lies ahead for this project, the decision on which will be made by the Resource Planning and Development Committee.

361A Macquarie St South Hobart successfully applied for a change of use to restaurant.

The Sheepdog Trial Event proposed for November 07 on the Hobart Domain can go ahead, with hopes of it achieving massive levels of interest via proposed television coverage.
Christie’s giggling reference to the attraction of sheep to New Zealanders added nothing original to that rural myth.
Burnet asked if, given that permission was being requested to allow sheepdogs on the Domain, would the same apply to the sheep.
What do you mean? – Valentine.
Are they allowed to be there? – Zucco
They will be on that day. – Armstrong (General Manager)
Valentine hoped that a week of dogs would not be a dog of a week.

Discussion of funding initiatives to protect Hobart’s churches and built heritage were confined to Holy Trinity Church because of the urgency of its situation. There was general support for encouraging the development of a conservation management plan by the diocese as this would need to be in place before any funding could be sought.

Ruzicka’s concern for workers who might be disadvantaged by an increase in metered time in Brisbane St between Murray and Elizabeth Sts was dismissed by Freeman who thought everyone knew meters were designed to give everyone a turn, not to protect workers. The meters will now operate from 8.30 am to 6pm Monday to Saturday.

Christie stressed that his advocacy of a public education campaign promoting preparedness for a major emergency in Hobart had nothing to do with the forthcoming Council elections. He was particularly keen that in putting together a ‘go bag’ people be aware of the value of an am-fm radio. Other items suggested were gym shoes, maps, important numbers, identification, coins, first aid kit, bottled water and energy bars.
The motion that a report be prepared was supported.
Briscoe’s suggestion that a report be prepared on the proposed changes to the provision of post year 10 education in light of the economic significance to Hobart, City of education was also supported. It was agreed that it should briefly canvas the social, environmental (particularly transport) and economic effects. It was also agreed that the Minister for Education, Mr David Bartlett, be invited to give aldermen a briefing about his proposed changes in this area.

Whether related to the elections (to be held between October 16 -30 this year) or not now is clearly the time for any alderman to get attention paid to issues of concern.
Burnet’s proposal that a report, setting out the background as to how an allocation of petrol for ex- aldermen was arrived at, be prepared with a view to cessation of the practice, was altered and expanded through debate and amendments to include a comparison of payments to other capital city aldermen, other State government bodies and other former State politicians. Burnet’s suggestion that the petrol allowance be axed, did not survive as part of the motion though it may still be part of the final outcome. Sexton suggested the results of a Victorian review of local government remuneration be included. He made particular reference to the fact that the present rate of remuneration in Hobart may be excluding the young, women and single parents from standing for election.
The history of the petrol allowance and its connection with aldermen not always having been paid were covered. Cocker addressed the notion that aldermen are involved partly from a sense of duty and desire to give to the community and because they consider they have views and a contribution to make. To this Cocker added that it was a mistake to think higher pay would necessarily attract better people.

Zucco’s Question
During debate on the issue of remuneration for alderman Zucco said I’ll say to any reporter – Do you think we’re worth $15 an hour or $30?
In discussing individual aldermen’s’ contribution to the work of Council Zucco chose to focus on two whose positions will be up for election in October – Briscoe and Ruzicka – both of whom he described as being praiseworthy.
The others in seats which are up for election are Archer, Hayes, Christie and Cocker. If Zucco had chosen to discuss the first on this list a different picture would need to have been painted.
Archer, the longest standing alderman (1988 – ) returned to Council duties on 11 April this year after a leave of absence which commenced in August 06.
Since his return he has been listed as being on two committees, Community Development and City Services. Minutes available to date on the Council website show that he has not attended any of these committees’ meetings since his return.
The minutes also show that on several occasions in the absence of a quorum either the Lord Mayor or Deputy Lord Mayor were made ex officio members of the committee concerned.
Archer has attended Open Council meetings but is on record as absenting himself from them before their closure on several occasions, including the meeting reported on here. He was not present for debate on the issue of remuneration and when he was present did not speak on any other issue. I have not heard him take part in any debate, prior to voting, this year. Whatever the outcome of any agenda item debate is an important, and sometimes the only, way of ascertaining where an alderman stands on any issue and it often reveals what effort has been made to understand an issue and what affected the alderman’s final decision.
Archer’s lack of involvement means that the reasons for his vote and the extent of his knowledge on any motion remain private. The wealth of experience and information he must have accumulated in his time on Council is not available to his colleagues or to the public. Apart from his lack of contribution the problem of the added workload for his colleagues must arise.
The question I would ask Zucco is-
Whether Archer is paid $15 or $30 is his present level of contribution to the work of Council acceptable?