MidCoast Council mayor, David West took the opportunity to call out council critics after councillors unanimously showed their support for the Yalawanyi Ganya office centralisation project during last month's October ordinary meeting.
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The project, which brought together the three former Great Lakes, Greater Taree and Gloucester councils as an amalgamated MidCoast Council under one roof in south Taree, was completed earlier this year.
Reporting to council, corporate services director, Steve Embry identified the design and construction of the project came in at $18.646 million (ex-GST) just under the $20 million budget.
"The centralised office has now been in operation for 10 months and in that time progress has been made on the disposal and leasing of surplus properties identified by council in the financing strategy developed to fund the office centralisation project," Mr Embry said.
An emotional Cr West said both he, councillors and council staff have been exposed to vile, humiliating and disgraceful attacks, primarily on social media, since the project contracts were signed about two years ago.
"But it was only a small number of people in social media land," he said.
"We have delivered what I believe is the best council in NSW."
He said council had been subjected to a lot of 'fake news' with reports the project would cost upwards of $50 million totally false.
"I am confident as mayor of MidCoast Council, who has been in local government for the best part of 26 years, we are working for the betterment of 93,000 residents."
Cr West cited the sale and lease of several council-owned properties in Forster, Tuncurry and Taree and the savings made possible through the centralisation project, which in turn would benefit residents.
Troy Fowler described the centralisation project as a "ripper of a deal".
"There were a lot of scare tactics," he said.
But, so far it has been a great community benefit, Cr Fowler said.
Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
