Volunteer replies “in anger and in haste”
Bushcare volunteers on the Central Coast, who were the first to be targeted when Council cut costs in late 2020, have now received Council letters outlining further possible cuts to the service.
The Bushcare groups are some of the many community groups to receive emails from Council asking them to support its submission to IPART for the current rate rise to remain for 10years.
The Council letter said a reduction in services for the Environmental Volunteer Program could include a loss of staff, supervisors, contractors, training and tools if its IPART application for a seven year extension to its special rate variation (SRV) does not get support.
The volunteer said they had no idea what more could be cut.
“I volunteer my time and knowledge completely free of charge (and weekend penalty rates), as do the other people that show up,” the volunteer told Council Watch.
“The council has already taken away our on-site supervisor as a cost cutting measure [so] I have no idea what services they intend to cut in regard to this program.
“We have an administrative supervisor and insurance.
“That is all it costs the council to maintain bush, parkland and sand dunes.
“I am writing this email in anger and haste, and admit that perhaps there are expenses that I haven’t considered, but cutting expenditure in an area where significant expertise and labour is provided free of charge suggests further fiscal mismanagement by this Council, and would result in a significant deterioration of public spaces without fully insured volunteers to carry out the work,” the volunteer said.
“Furthermore, as the land values on the Coast rise, surely the rates will rise anyway?
“To begin with I thought the continuation of the 15 per cent inevitable but …. I do so hate to be threatened, more so now I realise that particular groups have been targeted individually,” the volunteer said.
In the letter Council said the Environmental Volunteer Program was currently supported by five full time officers and a part time administrative officer.
“In addition to the support provided by the officers, an annual budget allocation provides some groups supervision by a qualified bush regeneration contractor; contract bush regeneration works that build on the work undertaken by the volunteers; training relevant to environmental restoration and tools that assist volunteers undertake bush regeneration at their sites.
“A reduction in service level for the Environmental Volunteer Program may mean a loss staff, as well as the reduction in supervision and bush regeneration by contractors along with reductions in training and tool allocations.
“Council would prefer to maintain these services at their current levels, and therefore securing the current level of rate income for the next seven years is vital.”
Other community groups received similar letters talking about reduction in services to them and a possible increase in charges for use of community facilities.
The letters were emailed a week after the public exhibition period closed on January 21 for comments on a ream of documents that will form part of Council’s IPART submission.
The email said that if the Council’s current rate income is not maintained beyond June 2024, Council will be forced to “significantly reduce or cease many services” to reduce expenditure by an average $25.8M each year (from June 2024).
“This means there is a risk to the services that your organisation relies on, and this may have impacts for your stakeholders and members,” the letter said.
“A reduction in community facilities upgrades, renewals and maintenance, service delivery and staff liaison may be necessary if Council does not maintain the current rates.
“Additionally, Council may also need to significantly increase the rental and hire fees from community facilities.
“Should you wish to comment on the potential impacts for your organisation if Council is required to reduce services, we encourage you to submit your feedback in writing,” Council said.
Council will hold an extraordinary meeting on February 3 to decide whether to adopt its submission to IPART.
Merilyn Vale