A MOVEMENT to oust the current council is gaining momentum, with more than 400 letters and faxes sent to Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson placing a “vote of no confidence” in Gunnedah Shire Council.
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Mr Anderson’s office confirmed this morning the Member for Tamworth had received 417 letters, emails and faxes.
While Mr Anderson has said he has no personal argument with the council, he has agreed to act as a “conduit” between protesters and NSW Local Government Minister Paul Toole.
A protest is also planned for 4pm tomorrow, just ahead of a 4.30pm council meeting which will include the mayoral election.
Current Mayor Owen Hasler has said he will put his hand up to remain in the position, but he is expected to face a challenge from at least one other councillor.
The meeting will also include a final vote on the contentious Mary’s Mount canola mill, which is recommended to be approved, subject to conditions.
Council will also look at a sister-city relationship with the Linhe District in China.
Council has faced a bumpy ride since the issue of relocating the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) reared its head.
Three separate reports to council over the years have stated the centre is under-performing and attracting fewer visitors than it should, largely because of its location.
In a decision that was tested through a rescission motion, council voted to move the Visitor Information Centre to the Mooki Room at the Civic Centre last month.
Work to modify Chandos Street to a one-way configuration started soon afterwards, stunning many residents who were unaware the roadworks were part of the information centre move.
Council released a list of “frequently asked questions” about the changes to Chandos Street on Thursday following a protest meeting on Wednesday morning .
The information addressed a number of issues, including why the change was being made:
“The need to change traffic conditions in Chandos Street and the introduction of one-way traffic were identified in the Visitor Centre Review conducted in 2013,” the council information says.
“ The modifications are intrinsic components of the approved relocation of this service into the central business district; as adopted by council at its extraordinary meeting held in August 2014.
“Preceding the VIC review, the ‘Open Space Strategy’ adopted by council in 2010 identified Chandos Street as having the potential to convert to one way between Conadilly Street and Little Conadilly Street, providing an important linkage between Gunnedah’s major civic park, the central business district and the cultural and arts precinct of town.”
Council said consultation over Chandos Street first started in 2010, with a “mixture of support and opposition” to the Chandos Street Plaza proposal.
Consultation was also undertaken for the VIC location review report which included Chandos Street as one way as part of relocation to the Civic.
The information also stated the Chandos Street changes had gone to a Local Traffic Advisory Committee Meeting on September 4, 2014, with no objections. Roadworks had started by that time.
“Gunnedah Shire Council has been focusing on improving the way we engage with the community and this can always be improved to ensure a broader cross-section of the community feels their voice has been heard,” the information says.
“GSC are hearing that the community feels that things can be done better and will investigate ways to make this happen.”
The statement has not stemmed the flow of social media protests about council actions, with a new Facebook page “The People’s Voice in Gunnedah” gaining more than 620 likes in just over a week.
Founder Jeremy Penfold said the page was for people who “disagreed with what the mayor and his office are doing to our town”.
“This [relocation of the VIC and Chandos Street changes] is the most stupid thing I believe the council have done since selling the abattoirs,” Mr Penfold’s first post reads.
“If good people stand by and do nothing then you can’t complain when things don’t go your way.
“All I can say is no matter where I have lived and where I live now it’s my home town and I love the place and it makes me sad knowing these clowns are killing it.”
Among the posts are copies of a poster that has been displayed in Gunnedah asking people to attend a Protest Meeting of No Confidence ahead of Wednesday’s council meeting.
“Let’s show them that they do not have our support... treating the ratepayers with total contempt,” the sign reads.
“Let’s show them how we feel about: Longmuir Playing Fields, Visitors Information Centre, Mary’s Mount, no gas protest, taking 28 car parking spaces away.”
The poster is unsigned, but urges people to attend the 4pm protest at the council chambers.
As well as a new Facebook page, a “vote of no confidence” letter is being circulated in Gunnedah.
The letter, available in some businesses, is already written and requires the protester to sign their name and forward it to Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson, explaining why so many have been sent so quickly. The letter reads:
“I am writing to express my concerns about the competency of council.
“Due to recent events in the township of Gunnedah, I have lost confidence in our current council and general manager and I am placing a vote of no confidence as a ratepayer/ resident/ former resident of the Gunnedah Shire.
“Over the last week, I have noticed road works have started in Chandos Street between Conadilly Street and Little Conadilly Street. I was later informed these road works have commenced to form a one-way street entering from Conadilly Street to accommodate caravan and RV parking with the relocation of the Visitor Information Centre.
“It has been very heavily publicised in the media that the VIC would be relocated to the Civic complex in Chandos Street despite a petition signed by 5067 persons to leave the VIC where it is. The community as a whole has major concerns with the construction of a one-way street on one of our most used two-way roads and feel that the VIC would be better situated in its present location.
“Those living past Cohen’s Bridge in Kelvin and surrounding areas will be most affected by the decision, having to detour to other streets to enter the CBD. Some of these streets do not have roundabouts and have been classed as ‘problem’ intersections by community members.
“The rest of the community have concerns with parking availability during events such as the monthly markets, tennis competitions and Civic Theatre showings.
“As I feel this decision has not been taken in the best interest of the community and without the input from the people it will affect most, I am placing a vote of no confidence for the current councillors governing the Shire of Gunnedah, including the general manager.”
Gunnedah Shire Council addressed “frequently asked questions” in information circulated on Thursday.
Here are some of them:
Will there be 30-minute parking limits?
No. The original report included in the July business paper did indicate that 30-minute parking would be considered. However, after further consideration, this was deemed insufficient to achieve the aims of the VIC move.
Consistent with the time limits on parking in the CBD and Chandos Street, two-hour parking will be applied.
Will this result in the loss of tennis courts in the area?
No. The tennis courts located within Wolseley Park will not be removed or altered to allow for this road change to occur.
The Wolseley Park Tennis Courts were identified in the consultant’s draft “Open Space Strategy” for relocation to the showground when the courts were worn and required replacement. Council, however, at its meeting on March 17, 2010, resolved not to incorporate the tennis court relocation into the adopted Open Space Strategy.
Are there any negative effects on the safety of motorists and pedestrians?
No. Professional analysis of the changed conditions actually indicate that this is the safest option to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians within this space.
Pedestrians will only need to monitor oncoming traffic from one direction and the speed of through-vehicle movements will be reduced.
Is Roads and Maritime Services approval required to make this modification?
No. Chandos Street is identified as a local road and falls within the jurisdiction of Gunnedah Shire Council. The RMS, as part of the Local Traffic Advisory Committee, have considered this matter and supported the recommended changes.
For the full questions and answers, visit www.infogunnedah.com.au