Two candidates in the September 14 council election have defended their roles at Regional Development Australia Central Coast (RDA CC) and have said there is no conflict in them wanting to be councillors.
Lawrie McKinna, a candidate in the Gosford East Ward Ward, is the Chair of RDACC and John Mouland, a candidate in the Budgewoi Ward, is the CEO.
Funded by the Federal Government, the organisation’s job is to facilitate connections across all levels of government to support economic development.
McKinna said RDA governing body members and staff are not restricted from participating in local government elections.
“We have 14 RDAs in NSW and the majority of chairmen have been former mayors of their regional area and some still could be,” McKinna said..
“The Chairman’s role at RDA CC is an honorary position and for the upcoming elections I will step down as the Chair on Monday, September 9, and Anna Cruikshank, deputy chairperson, will step into my position for the week of the elections.”
McKinna said that if he was to be elected to Council he would be looking to step down as the Chairman.
“Not because I have to but if I am going to be elected to Council I want to put as much time as possible into the new role as I can give, like I did before when I was the Mayor of Gosford,” he said.
Mouland said he would not be standing down as CEO and explained why.
He said the national RDA network was made up of local leaders who work across government, business and community groups all with the goal to improve their local region.
“This is achieved by supporting economic and workforce development, local procurement, strategic regional planning and informing government programs and infrastructure investments,” Mouland said.
“Across Australia, RDA committee members are passionate and dedicated local leaders who act as an effective conduit across government, industry and with the community to support the development of their regions.”
He said the RDA CC committee and staff were not decision makers in any regional issues.
“Any formal decision that is related to a Regional Development Australia Central Coast Committee focus area is made by Local, State and Federal Governments or their delegated authorities,” he said.
He said he had formally advised the Committee of his nomination as an independent candidate.
He said that he was not a member of the Committee and did not have a vote in any matter that the Committee decides to formally undertake.
“If I have the opportunity to be elected as a councillor, Central Coast Council has a Code of Conduct Policy, adopted in July 2024, that I have read in full that addresses in part, Pecuniary Interests, Non-Pecuniary Interests and Disclosures,” he said.
“This same document applies to all councillors, administrators, members of staff of councils, delegates of councils and includes members of council committees that are delegates of a council.
“As such, if elected I would not only ensure disclosure of my role at Regional Development Australia Central Coast, but I would also proactively disclose any other actual or perceived pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests that are relevant to my position as an elected councillor.
“Due to my 30+ years senior leadership experience in both the private and public sector, being an active member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, undertaking the Company Director Course and many other directors’ courses, and professionally delivering the expertise required to professionally hold Board Chair and Governance Committee roles, I won’t be standing down as the CEO of Regional Development Australia Central Coast if elected.”
Merilyn Vale
Don’t vote for any of the groups, they will just be playing their usual party and business development politics. For them, improvement for the Central Coast means overdevelopment. More high rise and cramming in more people, destroying the natural amenity we enjoy. Vote for a real local person who is more likely to concentrate on the things that matter like rates, roads, water, sewage, drainage and garbage services.