HOW Gloucester will be able to compete with Taree and Forster for much needed funding, was one of the questions not answered at the recent community meeting.
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Residents were seeking information about the future in the wake of the three-way council merger, Gloucester, Great Lakes and Greater Taree, announced on Thursday May 12. Having been blindsided by the immediate dismissal of a council they voted for, residents want to know how their voice will be heard. Around 150 people attended the public meeting held on Wednesday May 17. It was initially organised as a platform for the community to ask questions about a merger if it were to happen. In light of recent events, the purpose of the meeting changed.
State member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen and federal member for Lyne David Gillespie were absent from the meeting. In a comment made to the Gloucester Advocate prior to the event, both indicated there wouldn’t be much point in attending.
In a statement made by MidCoast Council administrator, John Turner to the Gloucester Advocate after the meeting, he said he “was unaware of the meeting held at Gloucester last week until after it was held.”
Mr Turner said, "MidCoast Council will be holding regular meetings on council business throughout the new Council region and one will be held in Gloucester approximately once every five weeks." Meetings will be advertised as dates are set.
Questions were asked about the process for paying rates and submitting development approvals. Former Gloucester Shire Mayor John Rosenbaum confirmed it business as usual for all council matters. A statement echoed in the advertisement from MidCoast council in last week’s Gloucester Advocate.
The former councillors were thanked for their service and asked if they had intentions of being a part of the advisory committees. Of the former council members who attended the meeting, John Rosenbaum said he would apply to be on the advisory committee. James Hooke and Kathryn Smith put their hands up to apply for the committee while Frank Hooke and Aled Hoggett have declined to apply. The councillors were also if they would run in the elections due to be held in September 2017. When the Gloucester Advocate spoke to Mr Rosenbaum and Ms Smith after the meeting, they indicated it was too early to commit to running. Both stated they wanted more information about the position before making a final decision.
