AFTER a lengthy debate, councillors have decided they should not take part in planning and development negotiations.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A motion to allow them the powers, which are usually only allowed to staff such as the general manager, was defeated at last night’s Gunnedah Shire Council meeting.
The vote was six to three against the idea – a flip of a previous decision on the topic, councillor Ann Luke the deciding dissenter.
“I have previously supported the motion as advertised because I felt there were enough safeguards within our organisation in place,” Cr Luke said.
“However, I find the weight of evidence presented by staff and my fellow councillors has swayed me to follow the advice of staff and the Office of Local Government.”
The issue at stake was the council’s Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) draft policy, which had been on public exhibition for 28 days.
The policy included the unprecedented ability for councillors to act in VPA negotiations alongside council staff.
But planning and environmental services director Andrew Johns recommended that the councillors vote for the policy to not include new powers for them.
“Council received only one submission from the public, which was against the idea of councillors taking part in VPA negoations,” Mr Johns said.
“During the exhibition period, council staff have also sought legal advice from both the Office of Local Government and independent legal advisers, in regard to the draft policy.
“Both parties have advised staff not to recommend councillors take part in VPA negotiations.” However, Cr Owen Hasler moved that councillors vote on the draft policy “as advertised”.
“In my 21 years of being involved with council, I’ve never seen a staff do so much to change a draft policy,” Cr Hasler said.
“I made my case clear at June’s council meeting why I believe councillors should have the ability to be involved.
“Furthermore, I am unsure why there was justification to seek legal advice after just the one submission.
“The legal advice was not sought by councillors and as far as I am concerned nothing addressed in the draft policy should be of any legal concern.”
Read More:
Cr Rob Hooke spoke in favour of Mr Johns’s recommendation.
“I would like to refute any claims the one submission was irrelevant; although it was short, I thought it was very succinct,” Cr Hooke said.
“I also think that it is as clear as the glasses on my face allowing councillors to negotiate on VPAs is a dangerous path.
“We have seen terrific due diligence done and have heard from governing bodies, and I think it is clear for us to see why it is not a good idea.”
After the discussion, councillors voted on the draft policy as advertised, with the motion defeated.
After the “as advertised” policy motion was defeated, councillors then voted to endorse the officer’s recommendation.
The motion carried with a margin of six to three with councillors Hasler and Fuller wishing to have their votes placed on the record.
Cr Gae Swain said the officer’s recommendations were in the best interests of the community.
“I feel like staff have done a fantastic job on advising us on what is the best course of action,” Cr Swain said.
“To be honest I am not sure where the push to change the policy is coming from.
“I want to commend the staff for their due diligence and hard work.”
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
