Libs defend Community Council system

You can read the proof version of what MLAs Lawder, Gentleman, Barr, Rattenbury and Fitzharris said about Community Councils at http://grapevine.net.au/~mccluskeyarundell/CommunityCouncilsDebate17Nov2015.html

If you would like to receive communication from your local community council, go to http://www.northcanberra.org.au/act-comunity-councils/ , click on the appropriate link and join your local community council’s membership/email list.

It is important to note that not all community councils function in the same way, and for that matter not all residents’ associations function in the same way.
The Yarralumla Residents Association (YRA) is a member group of the Inner South Canberra Community Council (ISCCC), and the ISCCC works as a federation of local residents associations. Two of our committee members represent the YRA at ISCCC committee meetings where we have an opportunity to share concerns and ideas that are common to many across the Inner South.
In the case of the YRA, about 15% of households in Yarralumla are currently financial members of the YRA – a much higher proportion than most representative groups and certainly any political party. Executive positions on the YRA are elected at each Annual General Meeting – usually held at the local school hall. We are ever aware of the need to engage the entire community and not just our financial members. To this end, on top of the regular emails sent to our financial members, we distribute hardcopy newsletters to every household in the suburb a few times a year, plus maintain a public noticeboard listing events and open website. We use these tools to keep the community informed of ISCCC run events and issues affecting Yarralumla and beyond.
The YRA encourages our members and residents to attend ISCCC forums, which are often on issues of particular relevance to our members and residents. Having the ISCCC run a forum often negates the need for us to spend time and energy organizing an individual forum for the Yarralumla community on a topic with much broader appeal.
We also appreciate the support that the ISCCC provides our association, its members and the residents of Yarralumla when there are issues that are more specific to Yarralumla, although often having implications for the rest of Canberra such as the Canberra Brickworks Precinct.
Many planning related issues affect all of the Inner South. The ISCCC works to avoid duplication and to share the experience and knowledge of all the local residents’ associations. We appreciate the regular opportunity to meet with representatives of other residents’ associations to help make our own residents’ association even stronger.

David Harvey, President 2015-16
Yarralumla Residents Association

John Hargreaves said :

It is a simple fact that the Community Councils are NOT representative, are NOT engaged with their communities, ARE controlled by political interests and ARE focussed solely on planning matters.

If Councils want the community to engage with them, they need to have a good long look at themselves and fix the insular and inward looking malaise that they have , get rid of political influence and start using the media opportunities for pleading cases to Government in addition to making meaningful recommendations to the Government.

John, good to know you’re in favour of the current chair of the Belconnen Community Council stepping down from that position now that she’s been preselected for the ALP in the seat of Ginninderra at next year’s election.

“It is a simple fact that the Community Councils are NOT representative, are NOT engaged with their communities, ARE controlled by political interests and ARE focussed solely on planning matters.”

The fact is that the author is expressing political paranoia, missing the boxing ring & boxing at shadows.

I am a member of ONCC & ISCCC and I can assure you that Johnno is out of touch with CCs. I am not politically aligned and can vouch that the above are not as well. Resident groups are open to all to join regardless of politics or demographics; it is a community of interests. People join because they are motivated. ISCCC website is here: http://www.isccc.org.au/category/news/events

He assumes that anyone wanting to protect their community is anti-Labor. LAPACs and the other Govt Planning board, can’t recall the name, were defunded because they were critical. Are CCs are next in line for demolishing?

John Hargreaves said :

It is a simple fact that the Community Councils are NOT representative, are NOT engaged with their communities, ARE controlled by political interests………

As one observer has said, the demographic of Councils is usually older than is healthy for organisations which should have a good spread of age groups, gender and employment expertise. Not to have it so is to invite NIMBYism.

Are Not Representative ? : Anyone can stand as a member. Anyone can attend meeting and put a view forward. The office holders are voluntary. If they are seen as not “representative”, then that is more a failing of the community to contribute.

In any event, arguably, the ACT Labor Government is also not “representative” either as they rely on the Greens to hold Government. Nor do elected members of the ACT Legislative Assembly or the Federal Parliament necessarily “represent” the views of their constituents either – they usually vote along party lines.

So, coming from an ex Labor Legislative member, the claim that Community Councils are not “representative”, is a bit rich.

Older demographics & Nimbyism : Its really up to the Community to engage – as posted earlier, some are trying but have limited resources. I would encourage everyone to contact their community council (via websites ?) and join an eMail mailing list – its a start to engaging. Tuggeranong Community Council has one and sends out newsletters if you subscribe. “Nimbyism” – again, that claim continues to be used where there is any opposition to anything – particularly about development. What rubbish and quite frankly, its an insult to those who are working in a voluntary capacity to help the community.

Community Councils can be critical of ACT Government decisions – particularly on planning. The ACT Government is now attacking the source of that, in this case by their proxy. Expect to see more of this sort of unhelpful contribution in the run up to next years Legislative Assembly election.

John, I understand that there was a problematic ‘old guard’ at Tuggeranong Community Council but they moved on some years ago. I attend from time to time and certainly there can be problems – eg it is now dominated by a person who bangs on about the lake all the time. But it is worth going because you also find out about stuff and engage with representatives.
I note that of all the MLAs who attend, the ALP MLAs are far less inclined to turn up. Sure they might get asked a few hard questions by constituents, but that is because THEY are the government – they are supposed to mingle with the hoi polloi, not just hear what they want to hear from their own toadying sycophants!
It seems to me that one of the huge difficulties facing Councils is that the roles are voluntary yet highly demanding – and people are generally time poor, so it is a huge commitment mostly based on good will and a fervent motivation to prevent the local community from being overlooked or bullied. Oftentimes the Council is the only recognised group taking a stand about certain crap government decisions and its (unfortunately now standard) faux ‘consultation’ style. This is because a large proportion of the community do not personally have time to take a stand or make a submission; and have learned that if they did, ‘what difference would it make, they will do it anyway.’
It appears that this government is hell bent on getting rid of the Community Councils because, inconveniently, they sometimes disagree with the government!

Paul Costigan said :

Any good government depends on listening to all sources but should not just use terms of inequity, such as ageism, to reject views it disagrees with. It is time for our governments to be transparent and openly encourage a range of voices and participation in honest debates.

Ever stopped to think that they do listen to you, but don’t agree. Just because you have something to say doesn’t mean it is representative of the community as a whole, and doesn’t mean the government should do as you say and if they don’t they are useless, not transparent and every other thing you accuse them of in your posts.

Dear John

Your public persona as the positive ambassador for Tuggeranong has just been damaged – by your own words. I suggest you should not view everyone else through your bad experiences locally.

As I said earlier, there are many people of various age groups putting in many hours to represent a set of views back to this current government. Sadly this government does not like to hear alternate views and so slams the messengers instead of dealing with the message.

Planning does dominate. Why? Because this government is constantly throwing stuff their way to deal with. And from my observations the council members are deluged by people wanting something done about planning. I often see these representatives bailed up at shopping centres by residents wanting to talk to someone – anyone – about planning issues.

Any good government depends on listening to all sources but should not just use terms of inequity, such as ageism, to reject views it disagrees with. It is time for our governments to be transparent and openly encourage a range of voices and participation in honest debates.

A good government does not try to close down debates and does not use their hollow men to smother residents with spin – as this ACT Government does so often.

John Hargreaves said :

I was a member of the Tuggeranong Community Council for nearly 20 years and left because of a number of issues. One was that contrary to its then constitution, it was dominated by a particular political party, even thought those around then will deny it.

Another was the lack of involvement by the general community. Most meetings were attended by the Executive, their supporting families, a couple of MLAs and their staff and supporters, a few visiting reporting individuals like someone from the Police or TAMS or Planning, and about three or so non connected members of the community at large.

the Executive was elected democratically but no-one knew that the elections were on so most positions were filled unopposed by the same people year in and year out.

apart from hearing from the Police and some bureaucrats, the business of the TCC was generally around planning or road issues. it rarely made pronouncements or recommendations to government about such things as domestic violence, education quality, community safety, employment opportunity or economic development.

They just complained about planning decisions and road quality, including criticising the construction of roundabouts and traffic lights.

In essence, it was boring.

At one time there existed in Canberra Community Councils and they received money from the Government to do consultation processes, venue hire, newsletters and the like. Also existing at the time were LAPACs, (Land and Planning Advisory Councils (or committees, I’m not sure) which received money from another part of Government for its community involvement.

The LAPACs were dissolved and their raison d’etre transferred to the Community Councils which were already operating in the planning space. Both sources of funds went to the Community Councils.

It is a simple fact that the Community Councils are NOT representative, are NOT engaged with their communities, ARE controlled by political interests and ARE focussed solely on planning matters.

As one observer has said, the demographic of Councils is usually older than is healthy for organisations which should have a good spread of age groups, gender and employment expertise. Not to have it so is to invite NIMBYism.

If Councils want the community to engage with them, they need to have a good long look at themselves and fix the insular and inward looking malaise that they have , get rid of political influence and start using the media opportunities for pleading cases to Government in addition to making meaningful recommendations to the Government.

John, I am sure there are many community organisations in Canberra that are dominated by particular political parties. The “Friends of the ALPBC” is a good example.