Three Central Coast councillors are pushing for a meeting of all councillors with member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, following an assertion by the MP that the Council is in a state of chaos.
Councillors Greg Best and Troy Marquart will put a motion to Wednesday’s ordinary meeting that Council note Crouch’s comments on its refusal to adhere to a deadline set by the State Government for the retention of funds promised for the Winney Bay Cliff Top Walk with great concern.
The motion calls for a meeting between councillors, the MP and his staff to reestablish a more congenial working relationship. In a note attached to the motion, the councillors remind colleagues that Council only exists technically at the good grace of the Minister.
We now have an opportunity to build a strong working relationship with our State and Federal partners, the councillors note says.
A cohesive working relationship with our two key core funders who provide billions of dollars to Local Government is critical. The two say Council owes it to ratepayers to have a more harmonious relationship with MPs, while retaining the need to respectfully raise issues without fear or favour from time to time.
They claim Council’s track record around Development Application rejections and escalating Land and Environment Court costs have been the catalyst for government moves to reduce its planning powers through the establishment of a Central Coast Planning Panel early next year and an independent approval process for the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council.
Source: Agenda item 6.3 Central Coast Council Ordinary Meeting, Sep 25