Council has wandered too far from its primary responsibility
by Dano 11:50am, 6 May 2008
You will need to login
or sign up to do that
Newcastle City Council like lots of others in NSW has lost site of its primary function, the provision of quality infrastructure to allow for the development of a viable and dynamic city. Too much ratepayers money is spent on touchy, feely social programs that are not the responsibility of local government. Spend ratepayers money on things that benefit all ratepayers - roads, footpaths, parking facilities, streetscapes, sporting facilities and the like.
This discussion topic is closed. You can still review the discussion but it will no longer accept comments or votes.
Bigfeller Comment 1
2:00pm, 6 May 2008
4
0 
Dano you are absolutely correct.
You only have to compare Newcastle LGA with Maitland LGA.
Time has come for our Councillors to instruct the Council officers that core functions are the only activities to be involve in.
pony Comment 1.1
6:19pm, 13 May 2008
1
1
I agree
Bigfeller Comment 1.1.1
11:10pm, 20 May 2008
2
0
The major issue is the maintenance of infrastructure. The Allen report said NCC has a backlog of $134m, a rejuvination cost of about $630m over the next 20 years PLUS the cost of new infrastructure to keep pace with the growth of the city.
This budget only has about $20m. Thats about $50m short!
But there is plenty of money for new cars, increased admin staff and another bookcase of reports!!!!
dipsy Comment 2
7:49pm, 8 May 2008
4
1
Dano, people rely on these social programs. They may be not the job of local government but if nobody else will provide services its lucky we have a council that will
Reformer Comment 2.1
12:55pm, 12 May 2008
3
1
Dipsy, I meant thumbs down, not thumbs up on this one but Band the Table doesn't allow us to undo mistakes.
Just as I don't expect NCC to get involved in the defence of the nation, there is no need for them to interfere in social programs to fill gaps left by other levels of Government, as Councils lack the structure and competence to do such things, leading to wasted resources and duplication.
Such involvement usually reflects incompetence of the elected body, usually historic, which is why the NCC will not get back on track until a competent administrator is appointed.
Bigfeller Comment 2.2
11:22pm, 13 May 2008
1
1
Dipsy can you give me one example of a socil program provided by Council that is not provided by other Government departments or units?
I would also be interested if you can tell me how much Council spends on providing that Socil program?
Bigfeller Comment 2.2.1
11:14pm, 20 May 2008
1
1
Dipsy you are silent!!!!
Maybe I should ask Pony for an example of a social program!!!!! Does Council still provide horse troughs???? You never know because they still maintain the dunny lanes!!!!
pony Comment 2.2.2
11:36am, 22 May 2008
0
1
Yes Newcastle Council; provides cheap child care at Beresfeild for a select few people, mostly Maitland and other city ratepayers, without sharing the benefits among more more people by ballotting places to Newcastle Ratepayers only.
Let's get the facts!!!,
Smack the Pony
Your Concious Comment 3
5:15pm, 21 May 2008
3
0
The main job of our council is to make sure our City is up to standard with all other Cities.....Personally I think Janet Dore has done the right thing by telling us a minority of people elected would not have a clue what they are doing. If I was the captian of a sinking ship, I would of jumped too... Anyone that has been on that council half as long as the fence around the old Merewether surf house should walk.... as I say, Get rid of the dead wood, they have not listen to what the people of Newcastle are saying
Bigfeller Comment 3.1
9:41pm, 21 May 2008
1
1
This is why the Management Plan is very important.
This is your chance to tell Council how to manage the ratepayers funds.
Janet has gone and in September we will elect a new Council. Will you be putting your hand up?
Your task right now is to direct your Councillors how you want the Management Plan to look like.
I want the residential rates cut by 25% and the funds for infrastructure repairs and maintence (like the fence and surf house) raised to at least $50m from the proposed $21m. This is quite achievable by improving efficiency, trimming non core services and selling excess assets. I will be lodging a detailed budget submission (over 50 pages) with full explanation and calculations.
Will you be making a submission or just sitting on the fence bashing Councillors?
Your Concious Comment 3.1.1
7:48pm, 22 May 2008
1
0
I have lived in Newcastle city all my life,.when I was a young fella a lady called Joy Cummings managed this city without fuss, everything was in place without problems.
I will sit on the fence, because if no-one does, they wont listen... People can only ear bash a person so much & you seem to be doing a good job for both of us !!
As you said, the vote is in SEPT & i'll be giving my opinion then as there is a lack of trust for this council at the moment, our own lord mayor is telling us this !!!
My way of thinking is :
If it's broken, fix it !!
If it looks like it is going to break, fix it !!
if you think it's going to break, Fix it !!
If nothing is wrong with it, leave it alone !!
With your 25% rate cut... Good Luck !!
You cannot put a price on things, Remember the word inflation.... your calculations will be all out of whack by sept anyway. Also, have a look what happens when council sells assets.... the dreaded hire fences come out and are left to rot & it becomes a council problem again... Have a look down hunter st, the proof is staring straight at you !!!
The way you are sounding, you are a councillor !!!
you seem to be taking offence to what i have to say. And if I was going to stand for council, I would be thinking of the old city, not the Honeysuckle...
Councillors has no-one to blame but themselves for their problems.