JUNGLE DRUM: When the facts are the problem

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The local elections will be held on March 16. Picture: Newsport.

I was considering my next Jungle Drum column, and then Mayor Kerr posted this on his official Facebook account.

‘Very interesting sitting on the otherside listening to excited prospective councillors, much like I was at first, entering a realm that many don’t understand… taking on a position and not really knowing what the role and function of councillors are and the differences from what Council is legislated to do compared to the roles of State and Federal government. We need councillors that understand the legislative position of governance and the separation of powers between advocacy (councillors) and operation (staff). It’s the future of Douglas that’s at stake, make wise choices based on facts not beliefs and opinions…

#freshstart #choosewisely #douglasshire #governancecounts

Kerr is 100% right and yet completely wrong. While he is correct that Councillors need to know the rules, he is wrong that we need to elect another round of rule following drones.

Our Council let us down during COVID, and performance regarding roads and the ferry has been in a decline for a very long time. Other Councils still seem to get stuff done, but ours is so bogged down in pointless procedure it is a wonder anything happens. And it costs money. Think the expensive clapped-out ferry for a start.

It's time for a new breed of councillor and CEO with the fortitude to challenge staff, and not tolerate nonsense like the Noah Bridge fiasco.

Funds lost and a bridge rotting. Where was the Mayor and CEO stepping in and saying ‘not good enough’?

Why were meetings between the interested parties not convened with the aim of expediting the process? If that fails go to the media. #governancecounts huh? What does that get you?

A bridge funded in 2017 still not built! In the four years of this Council, bridge progress went backwards! (percentage completed as per DSC reporting).

Years ago, Mike Darcy spent ages writing and harassing to get a perfectly functional Bloomfield Track open on many occasions. In 2017 it was farcical with a small washout described as ‘emergent situation’ and the road closed for ages. The Syndicate Road landslip was there for so long it became a tourist attraction. Traffic control goes on for so long that the cost must start to rival the cost of the job.

No more ‘yes people’. We need Councillors who will make intelligent decisions that upset the applecart, make the world a better place, and part of that will exploring ways to speed up remediation work not only in disasters but in ordinary times. I will be looking to vote for people who are not serving governance, but are serving the community. There comes a point where governance is simply excuses to go slow. You can’t just say ‘it’s operational’ and forget it.

I will be voting for Scott Mason for CEO. No wait Lawrence! You only get to vote for Councillors! Sorry, could not resist making a point with a wee joke at the end. Key unelected staff make huge impacts, and we need big thinking people to manage them effectively.

*Lawrence Mason has lived at Cape Tribulation all his life, and has been involved in farming, timber and tourism. He is a former board member of Tourism Port Douglas Daintree, founding Chair of Daintree Marketing Co-operative, and has been a member of both Alexandra Bay and Mossman State High School P&C. He is also a member of the Douglas Chamber of Commerce and has a keen interest in local issues.

 

*A reminder the views, opinions and sentiments in the above column does not reflect those of the Newsport editor or Newsport staff.