The mayor Mick Kruger cited two reasons for not extending the REST contract to continue its recycling activities in Maryborough until tenders were called in about seven months time. The first was that the original contract did not have provision for extending the contract, and the second was that extending the contract would contravene the Local Government Act.
The interview did not elaborate on what section of the Local Government Act covered a situation such as this. Using the Local Government Act as a reason for not doing what is right and proper is normally the refuge of bureaucrats who simply don't want action taken on a particular issue.
Perhaps the mayor could explain what section of the Act covered the council's decision or whether he was advised to use that hoary old chestnut as an excuse by the relevant bureaucrat?
In the meantime keep the pressure on our elected representative to represent us, the voters and ratepayers, and not the opinion of unelected bureaucrats. They are there to advise but not to interfere in council decision making. See, Support REST: Contact councillors and let them know where you stand.
I must watch myself, I am beginning to sound like the editor of the local daily rag...... Ahhhhh! In my defence I did not use the term "faceless bureaucrats".
2 comments:
Indeed, what section of the Local Government Act?
Here we have a volunteer group effectively bringing some positive social changes being shafted by an out-of-touch administration.
Or is it out of touch?
REST appear to run a successful operation of benefit on two issues, those of helping people and of recycling refuse.
Now we have a newly elected bureaucracy shutting them down! I thought these elected representatives were there to represent community interests and to actively promote such enterprise.
Once more I have been proven wrong, a problem of being an optimist living in the Fraser Coast Regional Council area.
I wonder which mate will get the contract when tenders are next called?
Or perhaps it will lapse because it may by then be in the 'too hard basket'
Pity about REST and the people they help, but that would apprear to be a small issue when compared with the requirements of the 'Local Govt Act' as quoted by Mayor Kruger
The Local Govt Act is just an excuse for something else. If the y want to, the Council can simply finish the current contract, then appoint REST as interim until new expressions of interest or tenders are call, and, by resolution and justification, override any such part of the Act in the best interests of good government, if indeed there is such a part of the Act that says they cannot extend.
Is there another reason why Council wants them out? Have there been any "difficulties" behind the scenes? Is the audit trail beyond reproach? Is there someone waiting in the wings? There is more to this than meets the eye. Surely our new councillors are not that naive or feeble that what we are seeing is the whole story???
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