Franklin
TAS 7113
28 September, 2016

Dear Premier,

We write to you as both Premier and Representative for the Franklin electorate in the hope that you will ensure the problems besetting Huon Valley Council are set on the pathway to full resolution.

You will be aware that the Huon Valley Council Board of Inquiry found council’s governance dysfunctional and that the situation would undoubtedly get worse without immediate intervention. We are heartened that Minister Gutwein has now decided to act on their Major Recommendations.

In announcing this decision, Minister Gutwein stated it was in the interests of providing stability to the Huon community. We agree on the need for stability and are seeking your assurance that the Commissioner appointed as administrator will be truly independent and will have the skills, experience and independence essential for the role.

To address the governance problems identified by the Board of Inquiry and regain the community’s trust the Commissioner must have a thorough understanding of local government processes and a commitment to genuine community consultation. In recent years council management has retreated behind community consultation policies that have effectively alienated the broader Huon community from their council and have contributed significantly to the situation that council now finds itself in.

Most importantly, the Commissioner must be genuinely independent with no connections to current or recent former Huon councillors. Any suggestion that the new Commissioner has been selected to cover up the past failings of council will inevitably prolong the counterproductive period of instability that now exists. To this end it is critical that the Commissioner be seen to address the Additional Recommendations of the Board of Inquiry (Recommendations 7 to 55). These recommendations are measured and reasonable. They were handed down by the Board of Inquiry after careful consideration. Addressing them will go a long way towards re-establishing the community’s trust in Council.

We respectfully ask that you ensure the appointment of an independent Commissioner charged with addressing all the recommendations of the Board of Inquiry, and so continue the process that returns stability and good governance to Huon Valley Council and restores to the Huon community the council they deserve.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Riddle, Franklin; Stan Armstrong, Cygnet

For and on behalf of Huon Residents for Good Governance

C.C. Minister Peter Gutwien MHA; Hon. Lara Giddings MHA; Hon. Jacqui Petrusma MHA; Hon. Nic Street MHA; Hon. Rosalie Woodruff MHA; Hon. Robert Armstrong MLC; Anna Vincent (DPaC); Huon Valley News; Cygnet Classifieds; Tasmanian Times
Martin Riddle, Franklin