It is a question of identity that MidCoast Council is not asking its community as it prepares to sign-off on proposed membership to the Hunter Joint Organisation (JO). That is the view of Alan Tickle and it is one he is red-flagging for community action.
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The former Greater Taree City Council deputy mayor is a vocal advocate for community consultation and dogged in his determination to ensure the new MidCoast Council is effective in representing regional interests.
News that MidCoast Council would make a short submission by October 27 “agreeing to the State government’s position” that it be included in the Hunter JO angered Mr Tickle.
“The failure to consult with local representatives and the community on this … is a disgrace.”
Last week Manning Valley Business Chamber president Jeremy Thornton thrust a spotlight on the absence of community consultation in determining MidCoast Council’s position.
“It is crucial the community speak and have a say in this process,” Mr Thornton said. Click here to read the story ‘Call for crucial council consult’.
The process so far has seen the State government consult with local government on the proposed JO model via two papers. It invited feedback from councils to assist with the development of JO functions and proposed boundaries. MidCoast Council made no submission to either paper and last week stated it would make a “short submission” to the paper that proposed it be included in the Hunter JO and work with Newcastle, Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Dungog, Singleton, Maitland, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie and Cessnock councils in its negotations with the State government when its comes to strategic planning, funding, community interest and governance.
Mr Tickle does not support inclusion in the Hunter JO and flagged the need for a Mid Coast JO.
“The State members across the five State electorates affected from the south of Great Lakes, Gloucester and north to Nambucca should have a serious discussion on how their electorates would venture under a Mid North Coast banner both in terms of tourism destination strategy and broader economic development.
“I am pretty confident that if you asked the question of the major population centres of Forster-Tuncurry, Taree-Wingham, whether they consider themselves part of the Hunter region or Mid North Coast, the vast majority would say Mid Coast.
“This point needs to be delivered loud and clear at the various rounds of public consultations being held throughout the region to inform the public’s view of what Mid Coast means and provide a view to prepare council’s community plan.”
Mr Tickle said “the door is ajar with councils to our north if the administrator cares to make contact with them to discuss feasibility of a Mid Coast JO.”
In the absence of community consultation Mr Tickle said it was important “organisations and individuals, particularly the chamber of commerce put in a submission before the October 27 deadline.”
RELATED STORY: Former Greater Taree City Council mayor Paul Hogan fears ‘Threat to tourism brand’.
