Street Meeting
Gregory Street
North Richmond
27 July 2013.
Motion
This meeting expresses its
disgust with the massive increase in the residential rate that Councillors
Ford, Tree, McKay, Porter, Reardon ,Conolly
and Creed have imposed on those who are least able to pay in the HLGA.
All but Councillor Porter are
members of the Liberal Party. All those Councillors collectively have put their
political allegiance ahead of the residents and ratepayers with their action.
Increases of $600 per annum
have been reported. This has imposed extreme stress on thousands in our
Community.
Residents and Ratepayers feel
betrayed by the above Councillors and call on the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to
resign their leadership’s position immediately.
This meeting also notes that
the Mayor used his casting vote to impose this huge rate hike in April. He
could have prevented the massive increase but choose otherwise.
Councillor Porter was the
mastermind behind this huge increase. He should also review his position in
view that he personally benefitted from the decision. Further, his neglect to
lodge a Development Application for a shed reflects poor governance for a
person in his position.
Councillor Conolly also needs
to review his behaviour and allegiances.
At the April Council meeting he
did not support the increase. He used
the Gazette in December2012 to express his opposition because of the hardship
the increase would impose on a pensioner from South Windsor and others. Further Councillor Conolly said ‘I don’t
think it’s fair for people of North Richmond, McGraths Hill and other
residential areas to be subsidising the provision of services for people who
choose that life-style’.
In June 2013 Councillor Conolly
no longer had concerns for the pensioner’s position or the fair test he applied
to the people of North Richmond, McGraths Hill and other residential areas.
Councillor Conolly said one thing publicly and in the theatre of Council
maintained his firm commitment to his Liberal colleagues. He abandoned the
residents and ratepayers without a blink.
His action do not fit with the
high office he holds to represent the interest of residents and ratepayers. He
should also resign.
We also note the same
Councillors, Ford, Tree, McKay, Porter Reardon Conolly and Creed also voted to
reduced rural residential rates. Decreases of over $900.00 have been reported.
Should the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor Conolly not
resign their positions, these meeting calls on the State Government to sack
this incompetent Council and appoint an Administrator forthwith?