GREATER Taree City Council's elected representatives pleaded with our federal representative to work with council for the betterment of the Manning Valley.
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At a special meeting on Wednesday night, councillors labelled Dr David Gillespie's "Manning Valley Better Roads Survey" as a distraction from the real issue of funding The Northern Gateway Regional Transport Hub (promised by the federal government) and the Greater Taree Roads and Bridges Package.
"Three levels of government have been elected by the community to serve this community," Cr Alan Tickle said. "If those three levels got together, we wouldn't be having this discussion today.
"We need to support our local member to help our local community."
However, according to Cr Tickle, in the six months since Dr Gillespie was elected to the position of member for Lyne he has met with Greater Taree City Council once, despite numerous invitations. And State MP Stephen Bromhead told council the earliest he could meet with GTCC is July.
Dr Gillespie has told the Times his office has received many complaints about Greater Taree City Council.
Cr Tickle revealed on Wednesday night council had three complaints referred from Dr Gillespie's office to council for response.
Cr Peter Epov attacked Dr Gillespie's "collection of paper."
"It is not a survey," he said. "This is a bogus survey perpetuated by the member of the Australian Government, using his Commonwealth entitlements to dodge the fact that he failed to stand up for this money.
"From the day he was elected, (Dr Gillespie) didn't come to this council.
"We are being dragged into unprofessional gutter politics. Council is being bullied by a member of the Australian Government. What sort of precedent is this?
"We need to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. We are not being treated fairly by our federal representative."