At Council's Tuesday meeting Councillor Phil Constable asked a Question on Notice requesting he be advised of the status of a meeting he had requested sixteen months ago for members of all levels of government and relevant organisations to meet and discuss the LONG TERM design and funding for the Princes Highway corridor through South East NSW and in particular the Eurobodalla.
He was very specific in his question What steps have been undertaken to enact motion NOM17/002 Princes Highway Corridor Strategy as resolved by Council on 14 February 2017; what impediments have occurred to the facilitation of the intent of the motion and what suggestions do staff offer to overcome these impediments and enact the intention of the motion. In their response Council had clearly put Member for Bega Andrew Constance "in it" as they made reference to the letter of August 9th, 2017 which they sent him asking HIM to organise the meeting
whereas the instruction from Councillor Constable and his fellow councillors, who voted unanimously for the meeting was that it be held as soon as it was able to be arranged BY COUNCIL staff. The response to Councillor Constable's very pointed question on notice failed in his view to illuminate him any further on the status of the meeting that was called for or explain what impediments staff apparently faced in order to organise the meeting. In discussions Cr Constable addressed the Council saying “The meeting has not taken place, and my request for information addressing impediments to meetings has not been provided." "I thank the Director for his efforts in providing a chronology of the steps that have been undertaken to the original motion NOM17/002 of the 14th February last year."
"The response most certainly addresses the first point of my Question, and as indicated was enunciated previously in reply to an earlier question.
Now, to the ‘intent’ of that original motion of the 14th February 2017.
This has not been addressed in the response to the Question on Notice.
“to invite those nominated to a meeting as soon as can be arranged”
This is the intent of the motion that was unanimously adopted by Council.
This meeting has not occurred.
The ‘intent’ of the motion has not been fulfilled.
"We have not been able to get all these people down here together to discuss the long-term plans for our Shire.
"I asked for some assistance through the wording of this question on satisfying the intention of the motion. What are the impediments to making this meeting happen?
"This request for addressing the impediments to the facilitation of the meeting has not been addressed in the reply.
This is the deficiency in the response provided."
"I am disappointed in the lack of constructive advice in the getting of theses decision makers around the same table as I do believe another level of advocacy is required."
"I do not consider the motion of 14th February 2017 concluded as is what is implied in this response.
"The matter should be endeavoured to be facilitated by Council.
"The original motion intent of the motion has not been realised, and the response deficient in advice provided.
"I request the Mayor, through the General Manager, to facilitate the intent of the original motion of the 14th February last year. Councillor Constable sought to add to the motion THAT the response to the question regarding Princes Highway Corridor Strategy Update raised by Councillor Constable be received and noted WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING ANY DEFICIENCIES IN THE RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION. Councillor Nathan moved an amendment to soften suggesting the addition of while acknowledging the need for further information - it was this motion that was adopted though it is now on public record that Councillor Constable was not amused by the deficiencies and the failure of Council staff under the delegation of the General Manager to do as they were clearly instructed by a Motion of Council. Cr Lindsay Brown added his sagely advice stating that politicians would “never” come to the Eurobodalla. “Getting them all down here will never happen.” He then suggested that it would be better for all the South Coast parties to go to Sydney for the meeting as the Ministers were such busy people, with the Mayor adding “It is very difficult to get all involved in the same room at the same time, but if you would like to request that meeting, perhaps more forcefully.”
