Jennifer Pittorino
A Hobsons Bay councillor wants council to establish a regular public forum to allow the community to ask live, unscripted questions of council.
Councillor Daria Kellander will bring the idea to council as a notice of motion during Tuesday’s council meeting.
Cr Kellander said introducing a regular public forum would promote “transparency” and provide “inclusion” for community members.
“We often hear that local government is the closest to the people, yet in Hobsons Bay we don’t actually allow residents to speak to councillors as a collective group,” she said.
“This motion is about being accessible, increasing transparency, and inclusion for our community members.
“For our residents to be seen, to be heard, and shown that their voice matters.
“I feel hopeful that this will change the dynamic between residents and council.”
Cr Kellander said she believes the process for council discussion needs to change.
“People are required to submit their questions to the council 30 hours in advance, they’re often rephrased and read out by the mayor,” she said.
“… Then a pre-prepared answer is read out, essentially the resident doesn’t have an opportunity to speak at all, and I think that needs to change.”
Cr Kellander said other councils around the state have adopted the public forum, to success.
“City of Melbourne, City of Port Phillip, Hume council and Moonee Valley council all host forums where residents can actually use their own voices, ask a question and also express an opinion on issues.
“That can’t happen at Hobsons Bay.”
The recent issues surrounding Hobsons Bay council have sparked the idea for the forum, Cr Kellander said Techno Park Drive in particular is one.
“There’s obviously been a number of issues that have come up over the last few months,” she said.
“I feel that there’s this big disconnect now between council and residents, especially when we look at the new restrictions that have been put in place.”
Ms Kellander said these new restriction have left the community in difficult positions.
“I suspect the Techno Park residents have booked out a lot of the tickets tonight, but there are other community groups as well who have questions who might want to attend those meetings.
“Now a challenge is created because we have caps on meeting attendance, there are all of these challenges that come to mind as a result of the new restrictions.
“I think that that’s causing a bigger divide between community and council.”
