The meeting schedule was adopted following heated debate among councillors at council’s ordinary meeting in Taree on October 31. 

Councillor Kathryn Bell moved a motion to adopt the recommended schedule as proposed in the agenda, and Cr David Keegan seconded the motion.

Cr Katheryn Smith moved an amendment, requesting an alteration to the schedule that would mean the July meeting be moved to Gloucester; providing for three meetings in Gloucester in the calendar year instead of two; seconded by Cr Len Roberts.

Cr Smith described the suggested meeting schedule as “disgusting", saying, “We are a merged council, not a council that has been taken over. Gloucester is a small area, but still important.”

“Taking away one meeting, let alone two is enough of a blow for the community.”

Speaking against the amendment, Cr Bell said the schedule should be approved as it was. She said holding less meetings in Gloucester presented an option that was the most accessible to the most amount of people.

“Especially in winter, when it gets dark earlier,” she continued, citing the poor condition of the roads surrounding Gloucester, “less travel for more people decreases the risk.”

“As a councillor, if you aren’t prepared to drive in the dark you shouldn’t have the job,” responded Cr Brad Christensen, speaking for the recommendation.

Cr Peter Epov spoke against the recommendation, stating having less meetings in Gloucester wouldn’t make a big difference to the Gloucester community.

“If no one has an issue, no one really cares,” he said of Gloucester residents. “Wingham has more of a right to a meeting than Gloucester.”

The amendment was put to the vote and declared lost by an eight to three majority.

Cr Smith, speaking against the original motion, said the fact the roads to Gloucester were in poor condition meant there should be extra consideration for all the people who have to drive on them regularly.

“If the roads are good enough for them to have to drive, why shouldn’t they be good enough for us?” she asked.

“The statement that the Gloucester community doesn’t know or care what is going on is disgusting.”

She continued, saying holding more meetings in different areas around the Mid Coast would be a good idea.

“I would go to a meeting in Tea Gardens.” she said. “We should be getting out of our comfy chairs and getting out into the community.”

Speaking for the recommendation, Cr Bell pointed out there was no way to record meetings at Gloucester.

“It’s about the numbers, and minimising risk and cost,” she said.

The original motion was put to a vote and carried, with a seven to four majority.