From the Mayor of Huon Valley Council, Peter Coad …
The Mayor of Huon Valley Council, Peter Coad, issued this statement today:
“My aim is to update Huon Valley residents on the latest developments regarding the Board of Inquiry into the Huon Valley Council, announced recently by the Minister for Local Government, Mr Peter Gutwein MP .
“The Minister announced the inquiry after receiving complaints about the council and council’s management.
“I welcome the inquiry, and fully support the Minister’s action. However, I do have concerns about the short time-frame that respondents have been given to make submissions to the Board, and its decision to not allow legal representation for representors at the hearing process.
“I want to see a wide ranging and accurate Board report to the Minister, but I believe the short time-frame for submissions, and representors not being allowed legal representation, may lead to some issues not being properly dealt with.
“The inquiry is a very important initiative, and I want to ensure that all the problems that council currently faces are dealt with in an effective and proper manner.
“We need from this inquiry outcomes that serve the best interests of all residents of the Huon Valley. They want, and deserve, a council that always endeavours to act in their best interests.
“The problems that are holding council back from modernisation and beneficial structural reform have built up over a long period, and cannot be properly resolved without detailed examination of all issues. They must be dealt with through a thorough and legal process.
“If we are to improve the way council operates, submissions to the Board must be accurate and backed by facts and evidence.
“I was elected Mayor last October on a platform of council modernisation and structural and management reform. The inquiry provides an opportunity for council to initiate this much-needed reform process.
“I will be doing my utmost to ensure that ratepayers’ interests are always uppermost as the inquiry progresses.
EARLIER on Tasmanian Times …
• Board of Inquiry for Huon Valley Council
• Huon Resident in Comments: #1 yes actually Ms Peters. we do care. I’m not against an amalgamation, but I don’t understand why you call it a power trip when a mayor asks council and council staff to drop personal agendas and do the job they are voted in to do. …
