WHAT THE RATEPAYERS THINK
At a recent meeting of the Cardinia Ratepayers and Residents Association those present voted unanimously in favour of the following statement:

CRRA sees the following items as the prime concerns of Cardinia Ratepayers and Residents for the upcoming 2005 Council Election:

• Removal of the $100 Municipal Levy.
• Change General Planning Council meeting times to the evenings to promote greater public access.
• Council meeting agendas to be open and the outcome not predetermined.
• Review Council's 'in camera' policy and meeting procedures to encourage more openness in Council.
• Review operations of Capital Works Programs to meet the community's expectations.
• True recognition of community concern in local issues, e.g. Pakenham Outdoor Pool, Pepi's land and the proposed Pakenham Golf Course Development.
• Address infrastructure problems throughout the Shire, e.g. roads, reduction in community welfare.
• No abdication of authority or accountability by our elected representatives to paid administrators.
• Review Senior Management.
• Councillors to promote the interest and wellbeing of the ratepayers.

Members at this meeting recommend that the President of CRRA write to each candidate who nominates for election to Council, requesting his/her response to above listed concerns.'

COUNCIL RESPONSES TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS
Beginning 14 September (excluding 5 October) the Pakenham-Berwick Gazette ran a series of six weekly articles each covering a topic relevant to the forthcoming Cardinia council election. CRRA was asked to put its view on a number of issues affecting ratepayers, and the seven councillors were invited to reply. It was a valuable service on the part of the Gazette to inform the public about council attitudes to these issues. It must be noted that CRRA had contacted Council in writing on all of these issues, but our representation on behalf of ratepayers was, and still is, largely ignored. For the benefit of readers who may have missed the articles we summarise them here:

14 September: Rescheduling of Council meeting time from 4pm to 7pm so that more ratepayers can attend. Reply: all councillors who responded, with the exception of Cr Ronald, supported continuing to meet at 4pm because it suits themselves and council staff. Cr Hamilton did not respond.

21 September: Is our local government open and accountable? CRRA queried the large number of 'in camera' (closed) sessions held by council, restrictions on public and gallery involvement and other practices which inhibit free speech and open government. Reply: most councillors ducked behind the broad provisions of the Local Government Act 1989 to avoid the issue. The exception was Cr Ronald who roundly condemned current Council attitudes and practices.

28 September: How responsive is Council? CRRA has claimed that responses to organisations and individuals are more often than not ignored or delayed indefinitely, and that written requests or complaints are just not answered. For example, Council totally ignored the strong public feeling about the old Pakenham pool, the $100 levy, the sale of public land in Emerald, and rezoning issues. Reply: Councillors who responded all deny that they are unresponsive and rabbit on most painfully about their close ties to their own ward communities. The facts speak

differently. Cr Ward did not respond and Cr Cox was interstate.

12 October: Is the Shire debt cause for concern? CRRA points out that the Shire is almost $50 million in debt. Nearly all Victorian councils are debt-free - why not Cardinia? The Council has approved profligate spending on glamour projects, on lawyers, consultants and the like whilst basically downgrading expenditure on roads, services, etc. Reply: Most councillors ignored the issue and attacked CRRA. Cr Ronald looked forward to 'a financially sustainable Shire'.

19 October: Does Council performance meet ratepayers' expectations? CRRA is mainly concerned about Council priorities and the amount of ratepayers' money being spent on duplicate and unnecessary projects, including opportunistic and detrimental rezoning; for example, a new Pakenham library when the existing one is perfectly adequate, a new public golf course in Pakenham, and major refurbishment of council offices. Reply: Most councillors denied criticism of poor performance and praised Council achievements. There were also a number of attacks on CRRA and its credentials to question the decisions of elected representatives such as themselves. Cr Hamilton had no comment.

26 October: Elected representatives must hold power in Council chambers. CRRA maintains that councillors have a mandate and responsibilities to the majority of ratepayers, and should not abrogate this responsibility to public servants who, basically, do not have this mandate. Reply: Much was made of a recent council survey (how much were the consultants paid?) which 'proved' that we all approve of our councillors and administration. Really! CRRA was once again bucketed for questioning the whole gamut of Council's performance. As the weeks pass the invective from councillors becomes more hysterical, it seems.

Summary: The series of articles in the Gazette was a small but vital example of democracy and the voice of the people - something which has been lacking in Council for far too long. MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT - DON'T WASTE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE CARDINIA FOR THE BETTER.

HOW TO VOTE: CRRA'S RECOMMENDATIONS
The Cardinia Ratepayers and Residents Association believes that

• With the exception of Cr Bill Ronald, no current standing councillor is worthy of re-election;
• Candidates who give their preferences to standing councillors who seek re-election are not worthy of consideration;
• Candidates who receive the preferences of current councillors should not receive your vote.
• While the final decision must be your own, CRRA's preferred candidates are as follows:

Central Ward: Brett Owen, Bill Ronald, David Drinkwater, Cheryl Billingsmith.

Ranges Ward: Ed Chatwin, Keith Ewenson

Bunyip Ward: Bill Pearson

Port Ward: Phillip Murphy

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Before you vote, you are invited to a community forum at Pakenham Racecourse on Sunday 13 November 2005 commencing at 12 noon. Hear community members and candidates discuss the issues. Make an informed choice!
Bring the kids. Enjoy the sausage sizzle.
Get involved!
Enquiries to Rosa on 0410 813 232