JUNGLE DRUM COLUMN: Douglas Shire Council... Pass or fail?
COLUMN
In this edition of Jungle Dum I would like talk about Councillors and the model meeting principles that govern Shire meetings.
In general local government meetings must adhere to the following principles:
Transparent, effective processes and decision making in the public interest
I don’t believe Douglas Shire Council is transparent.
In particular, the refusal of motions bought by Councillors, then followed by Mayoral minutes which are legal, without notice.
Both our recent Mayors have used significant numbers of Mayoral minutes, and some of these have had major financial implications for the whole shire. They should be last resort, not commonplace.
Sustainable development management and delivery of effective services
There are any number of issues around the Daintree Ferry service over the years that have not, in my opinion, demonstrated either of these points.
The Ferry in particular has been an issue since the decision to let a contract for two ferries with no permits for same by the Leu Council, followed by the unwise but ‘gun to the head’ necessary purchase by this Council.
And let’s not forget the same thing happened, albeit involving less money in 2006. Or the carbon offset land purchase disaster… one wonders what other time bombs are ticking? Is it time to defuse the Noah Bridge money bomb that is surely coming?
Democratic representation, social inclusion and community engagement
There is a distinct lack of social inclusion and community engagement. The Leu Council at least held forums in the Daintree and I assume elsewhere.
And while staff were slow to act on the ferry contract and failed to obtain necessary approvals, at least they listened and we also had the Daintree Joint Management Group (DJMG) which got a lot done.
Yet, despite this Council voting to create a ferry reference group, they failed to agree on terms of reference and staff have shelved it under ‘B’ for bin. Demonstrably none of them are interested in a DJMG or meaningful community engagement.
Good governance of and by the local government
One of the most misused terms in the modern day.
‘Good governance’ is now defined on reams and reams of paper, but the community, in my view, is worse off for it.
How can ‘good governance’ result in buying a one million dollar ferry for more than four times that?
Followed by a Probity Audit that says it is all A OK? How can good governance result in a funded bridge taking more than five years to build? How can good governance result in a community reference group being approved but never activated?
Ethical and legal behaviour of councillors, local government employees and Councillor advisors
I can’t in good faith suggest Council has done anything unethical or illegal, as these issues are defined in the local government act, and while I may not like the results of a Probity Audit, they are currently best practice in situations like the ferry purchase.
However, the community’s good faith in Council is impacted by results like the $4.5M purchase because no matter what the process says, we can see incompetence, be it legally sanctioned or otherwise.
Food for thought if you are thinking of becoming a Councillor...
*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.
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