“I Accuse”
All of the GRC councillors, of failure to comply with LGA93 Principles S 4 (2) (a, c) of, (failure to Represent and act in the Public Interest).
The local government principles are—
(a) transparent and effective processes, and decision-making in the public interest; and
(b) sustainable development and management of assets and infrastructure, and delivery of effective services; and
(c) democratic representation, social inclusion and meaningful community engagement; and
(d) good governance of, and by, local government; and
(e) ethical and legal behaviour of councillors and local government employees.
Grounds.
1. Local Government Act 93, Principles impose a representative system of government, GRC councillors have failed to represent individuals and groups to the general meeting of council in an open, transparent manner. Oppositive to this, they have represented the Council interests and represented their own personal interests.(Bigger Budgets, Increased Rate Base, Increased Staff numbers, to raise GRC to Category 5, for extra $20,000 per year) Open general meetings once a fortnight last 35 minutes. Councillors have made public admissions of secrets pacts, and closed meetings which are contrary to LGA 93.
2. Adding to the above and compounding it, the councillors have all directly, with forethought and planning, opposed the interests of the majority of residents who expressed there will to return to a Divisional Council. Failure to “inclusion and meaningful community engagement” refer ‘LGA 93 S 4 (2c)’. The majority wanted a divisional system so that individual councilors would be accountable to the community. Current councillors conspired in secret to oppose this and made a pact, it was only due to the work of a few individual residents and the intervention of the State Minister that their plan failed. Refer http://www.ronowengympie.com/councillors-vote-to-take-divisions/
“I Accuse”
All of the GRC councillors for failing to comply with LGA 93 S4 (b,d) “good governance sustainable development and management of assets and infrastructure, and delivery of effective services”.
Grounds,
1. Doubling the rates every four years is not sustainable, 92 % increase in staff costs in four years, is not good governance. Councillors have lost control of Costing and exceeded the 2010/2011 budget by – $3,222,815. Yes, that is over 3 million dollars The Deficit exceeded QTC guidelines of 4% of operating revenue. As there is no control at present, it extremely probable that the budget will be exceeded again. If nothing changes, the increasing rates will be further increased to cover the losses. Pork Barrelling, Grand Piano’s, Million dollar Cricket pitches, Art Galleries and Tourist Ventures are mis-management of assets for the purpose of self interest of buying votes.
Refer to Rates, http://www.ronowengympie.com/rates/
2. Whilst arterial roads are left dangerous, and disintegrating condition. Roads are regularly cut due to only moderate rain, loose gravel, corrugations, potholes cause accidents. They also destroy residents property (vehicles). Rural, Arterial, and Urban, drains, pipes and bridges are all in disrepair. There has been no meaningful community engagement concerning these infrastructure problems, just a huge increase in Rates for a Reducing Service. Refer Roads http://www.ronowengympie.com/roads/
“I Accuse”
All the GRC Councillors of knowledge of corruption, illegal behaviour of councillors and local government employees, with the tendering & hiring processes. Jobs for the Boys, is not a government tradition it is a corruption.
Grounds
1. A letter by a very reputable business man Mr Greg Corbet, a man involved in the tendering process, made the allegations printed in mid 2011 local newspaper and this information has not been refuted by any GRC councillors. He has been asked by councillors to withdraw his letter and he has refused, so this letter still stands. http://www.ronowengympie.com/ron-owen/councils-corrupt-tenders/
2. Planning to increase the budget, increase staff, increase buildings for staff and increasing rates at 17% per year, when the CPI is 3%. With the fore-knowledge that would increase the GRC into a Category 5 Council this also has been printed in the local newspaper and is un refuted. Refer http://www.ronowengympie.com/rates/grc-category-5-budget-staff-numbers/
Ron Owen