Federal and State parliamentarians state consistently they cannot be removed from their elected positions because in a democracy they are elected by their constituents.
Fifteen democratically elected Central Coast councillors were suspended, then dismissed with a stroke of the pen by a Minister of the NSW State Coalition Government, (who then appointed) an Administrator who was not elected by the community from October 30, 2020.
On September 14, 2024, ratepayers will vote for 15 new councillors.
These 15 councillors will represent ratepayers across five wards.
Ratepayers will be asked to complete a constitutional referendum to determine if the number of councillors should be reduced to nine.
This will mean a 40 per cent reduction in ratepayer representation with the wards being reduced from five to three.
This referendum came about while the Council was under administration.
A community consultation was conducted online from the March 1-15, 2021.
A total of 613 rate payers responded with 478 indicating a change in councillors and wards is needed.
This was 0.1 per cent of the total Central Coast population at that time. (Census 2021: Central Coast Population approx. 346 000)
Federal politicians represent approximately 150 000 constituents; State politicians represent approximately 51 000 to 62 000 constituents; 15 Councillors represent approximately 69 000 constituents in each of the five wards (part-time).
Nine councillors would represent 115 000 constituents in each of three wards (part-time).
It is for these reasons that ratepayers should vote a resounding No to the referendum on Saturday, September 14.
Please note: I have never been a councillor on any council.
Email, Feb 27
Allen Slater, Convenor, Central Coast Activist Collective
Historically we have seen what happens when you have top heavy “management” which ended up with the Council becoming insolvent, the appointment of an Administrator, resulting in the selling off council assets. I completely disagree with Mr Slater’s call for 15 Councillors as it is a recipe for disaster, and it will guarantee the appointment of another Administrator down the track as the Council becomes paralysed again, as we have already seen. The majority of major public company corporations (Banks, Mining companies, and many others found on the ASX) work extremely efficiently with a board 7-9 Directors (Councillors) overseen by the Chairperson (Mayor) who has the casting vote if required to resolve a deadlock. This by no means diminishes the role of the CEO whose job is to run the Council and advise the board (Councillors) if they can/can’t implement their decisions. Further, any appointment of new Councillors in my view will need to have a professional/business background, have been educated on how to read and analyse Profit & Loss and Balance Sheets, have commercial commonsense and park their ideologies at the front door. If they don’t, we will just end having the rabble that caused the collapse of this Council previously. Vote YES to NINE Councillors and NO to Fifteen Councillors.