An e-petition lodge in State Parliament calling for the Central Coast Council election to be brought forward has failed to make an impression on Local Government Minister Wendy Tuckerman.
Organised by local resident Gregory Knott, the petition says the election date, set for September next year, is too far away.
“The Central Coast Council has been without leadership since it went into administration in October, 2020,” the petition says.
“Recently it was announced that elections would be held in line with the next round of local council elections on 14th September 2024.
“This will leave Central Coast residents without a voice for almost four years and no local democracy.
“Currently Central Coast residents have no input into local issues.
“The Central Coast is in a state of disrepair with dangerous potholes on major roads, locals parks overgrown, vandalised and some closed for extended periods.”
Despite agitation for an earlier election by several community and resident groups, the petition managed to attract only 752 signatures.
In a response to the petition, Tuckerman said a proclamation extending the period of administration for Central Coast Council had been signed on June 1, 2022.
“This extended period of administration will give Council’s CEO and Administrator sufficient time to put measures and controls in place to address the issues uncovered by the public inquiry and to implement its recommendations before elected councillors are returned,” she said.
“I have instructed the Office of Local Government to utilise this extended period of administration to continue its work with Council and local communities throughout the LGA to develop a robust effective plan for Council’s future governance.”
Tuckerman pointed out that should an election be held before September next year, the new Council’s term would still expire on September 14, 2024.
“Holding an election on September 14, 2024, will ensure that the Council and ratepayers are not burdened with the substantial cost of holding two elections in a short period,” she said.
Member for The Entrance David Mehan, who presented the petition to Parliament, said the relatively small number of signatories suggests there is “no strong community view that a return to democracy, of itself, will fix the dissatisfaction people have with Council’s performance”.
“I expect people feel they will be able to pass judgement on the architect of our Council problem, the State Government, which forced the amalgamation on councils across the state, at the March State election,” he said.
Terry Collins