IT was standing room only in the former Greater Taree City Council Chambers as the amalgamated MidCoast Council met for the first time in Taree this afternoon (June 8).
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Prior to the start of the official meeting, members of the public were invited to publicly state their objections, concerns and complaints to the administrator John Turner and interim general manager Glen Handford.
Fourteen people took the opportunity including former Greater Taree mayor Paul Hogan, Chris Sheed, Cathy Posselt, Dwayne Pratsky, Katrina Pearson, Ken Billings, Ray Dawes, former deputy mayor of Greater Taree Alan Tickle, Carol Bennett, Susie Russell, Pattie Hogan, Nawal Maharaj, Bruce Robertson and former Great Lakes councillor Linda Gill.
The lack of democratic process, Turner’s connections to the mining industry, and concerns the new council will not be financially “fit for the future” were among the issues raised.
In different scenes to the disruption of protesters which forced the closure of the MidCoast Council meeting in Forster on May 25, objectors this afternoon sat in the chamber holding their placards and signs of objection high, heckling and jeering the administration as well as applauding the speakers.
More to come.
