Former Maclean Shire mayor, former Clarence Valley mayor and current Armidale Regional Council Mayor Ian Tiley is provisionally listed as a candidate at the September 2021 Clarence Valley local government election

 

The Daily Telegraph/The DailyExaminer, 2 June 2021:

Dr Ian Tiley has revealed there is a strong chance he will run for a spot on Clarence Valley Council after his name was spotted on a Local Government Register of Candidates.

The registration of a candidate is a separate process to nomination and was brought in to help prospective candidates better understand the responsibilities of being a local government representative.

While Mr Tiley, who is currently the Mayor of Armidale Regional Council, was not a definite for nomination he said “the probability is that I will run”.

“I love local government and I have been involved continuously since 1964. I don’t feel inclined to retire just yet,” he said.

In 2016 Mr Tiley was appointed administrator of the newly formed Armidale Regional Council (ARC) and was elected to its first council in 2017.

Following political turmoil and the short term appointment of another administrator to ARC in 2020, Mr Tiley was elected Mayor.

Mr Tiley has had a 50-year career in local government, moving from senior management to being an elected representative in 1991, serving on a number of councils.

He is the Deputy Director of the Centre for Local Government at the University of New England and served on the NSW government Local Government Acts Taskforce.

Eager to get back to his home in Maclean on a more permanent basis, Mr Tiley said it’s “time to return to paradise”.

“Local government has been my work and passion. You are in a position to make a difference to the lives of everyday people,” he said.

“I don’t feel ready to put the feet up yet.”

Mr. Tiley is not the only candidate who has provisionally entered his name on the Local Government Register of Candidates for the Saturday 4 September 2021 election in the Clarence Valley.

So has Stephen Pickering, Phillip Belletty, Tara Matteson, Allison Waites, and Jeffrey Smith - all of whom like Ian Tiley appear at this stage to be standing as Independents. A seventh candidate, Donald Scott, has listed the National Party of Australia as his formal political party affiliation. 

Given that is is expected that at least seven of the nine sitting Clarence Valley councillors will seek re-election in September and, given that candidate nominations do not close until 4 August 2021, then a rather long ballot paper may be developing.

Meme of the Week

via @rationalbitch

 

Cartoon of the Week

 

IMAGE: laptrinhx.com

Some lessons never get learnt by NSW local government and this is but one recent example

 

IMAGE: Google Earth 2008

In what seems an appropriate response to a proposed retrospective development consent the NSW Office of Local Government and NSW Ombudsman have commenced a preliminary investigation into building works undertaken at 19 Gumnut Road, Yamba, a waterside residential property of approx. 651.70 sq metres, which according to Clarence Valley flood mapping is at risk of a degree of inundation even in a 1 in 5 year flood event and in a 1 in 100 year event water likely reach the top floor of the house.

A development application DA 2019/0439 was lodged on 14 August 2019, however subsequent construction did not follow the structural plans to which Clarence Valley Council had granted consent on 2 December 2019 apparently by delegated authority.

After a site inspection in February 2021 when build inconsistencies could not be ignored by council officers, the owners of 19 Gumnut Road were obliged to lodge DA2021/0153 and MOD2021/0016.

These documents show:

CONSTRUCTION OF NEW CARPORT AND AWNING ATTACHED TO EXISTING DWELLING

2 CONSTRUCTION OF [detached] RUMPUS ROOM AT REAR OF LOT

3 CONSTRUCTION OF DECK AT REAR OF LOT

4 NEW FENCE ALONG WESTERN BOUNDARY

* NOTE: POOL AND SURROUND TO BE APPROVED AS SEPARATE D.A

Additionally the documents described a retractable privacy screen and awning, rainwater tank and floating pontoon. The rainwater tank and retractable awning were constructed without Council approval and do not meet the development standards for exempt development (i.e. development that does not require Council approval) listed in State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008. The retractable privacy screen has not been constructed or installed and the floating pontoon has been removed from the application. Accordingly, this application only seeks approval for: 

• Proposed retractable privacy screen 

• Existing retractable awning (as-built) 

• Existing rainwater tank (as-built)

The 40 year-old house and additional structures now appear intended to cover around 85-90 per cent of the lot.

Apparently eager to oblige these particular local business owners, council staff formally recommended to Council in the Chamber that retrospective consent be given as well as consent for certain proposed construction and, predictably the 'all-development-is- good-but-over-development-is-better' brigade holding a majority on Clarence Valley Council also agreed to oblige the owners on 25 May 2021. 

Quite frankly, the article below does not do full justice to the level of non-compliance shown in photographs taken in 2020 and supplied to Clarence Valley Council by local residents. Nor is the mention it contains of the rumpus room/studio adequate to describe the aesthetically bereft, freestanding structure that was actually built.

Clarence Valley Independent, 2 June 2021:

Councillors were split four to three at the May 25 Clarence Valley Council (CVC) meeting, when they approved a raft of existing building works at a Gumnut Road property in Yamba, however, three councillors lodged a rescission motion after the meeting.

Nearby residents lodged objections (a total of nine submissions and a petition signed by 40 people) to the “as-built inconsistencies with the approved” development applications (DA) and other unapproved works, which council’s planning staff described as “minor” or “very minor”.

Some of the modifications and works approved were non-compliant with CVC’s development control plan (DCP).

Objectors have raised issues with Ombudsman NSW, regarding how CVC has managed processing the DAs and CVC’s alleged indifference to unapproved building works.

Ombudsman NSW is currently making “preliminary enquiries” into the matter.

Councillors Debrah Novak, Karen Toms and Greg Clancy lodged the rescission motion, which outlined six reasons:

Council did not undertake progress inspections during construction works for both DA 2019/0439 (now MOD 2021/0016) and DA 2021/0153);

Council has varied the residential DCP floodplain management controls in relation to the required floor level of 2.9m Australian height datum (AHD) for the studio, consequently, CVC’s DCP would need to be updated as this has set a precedent;

The applicant has not provided a survey completed by a registered surveyor as required … when the DA was lodged or prior to commencement of construction;

The applicant has not provided a valid structural engineer certification for the whole build of the studio … occupation is prohibited without a valid structural engineer’s certification;

No valid structural engineer’s certification has been submitted for the existing retaining wall, which is now the foundation for the large extended deck; and,

The applicant has enclosed a deck without obtaining prior approval from council. [my yellow highlighting]

Acting general manager Laura Black said the rescission motion would be tabled at the June 2021 CVC meeting; however, she said the rescission motion “bears no relation to the ombudsman’s enquiry, at the moment”.

“As we [CVC] understand it, the ombudsman has received a complaint from a ratepayer … and the [ombudsman has] made an enquiry [regarding] our communication with that ratepayer,” Ms Black said.

“We are unaware of the nature of the complaint and we’ve provided a response to the ombudsmen, including all of our correspondence with that particular ratepayer.

“This rescission motion, though, is purely a rescission motion from three councillors, in accordance with the code of meeting practice, and it puts on the table that … the motion that we’ve resolved in relation to the DA modification [could] be rescinded….

“At this stage, the ombudsman is just undertaking preliminary enquires; we don’t know the nature of the complaint, but the ombudsman’s office actually doesn’t have any power to stop council from making a decision.

“We have been advised [Ombudsman NSW] has no intention of interfering in council’s decision making – so the rescission motion itself is not related to the ombudsman.”

Councillors Richie Williamson and Karen Toms were absent.

Have you seen this clown? If so contact Grafton Police

 

Not the first time this Hudsons Circus clown has gone missing.
It anonymously turned up at The Junktion, Bathuurst  in 2020.
IMAGE: Western Advocate, 2 March 2020

The Daily Telegraph, 2 June 2021:

Grafton has once again earned itself a spot in the coveted S--t Towns of Australia Power Rankings after someone stole a clown.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Last week visiting attraction Hudsons Circus raised the alarm that one of their promotional materials had been stolen.

“One of our 5m tall inflatable promo clowns and air blower has gone missing from Summerland Way, Grafton, overnight. The power lead going to the air blower has been cut off,” they wrote on their Facebook page.

“A police report has been made. If you have any information regarding this, please call Grafton police station or contact Policelink and send us a message.” News of the stolen clown soon reached the creators of Facebook page Sh*t Towns of Australia, who placed Grafton in the 10th spot in the latest top 10 Power Rankings list, and described the incident as “Gronks steal 5m inflatable clown from circus”.

Other towns to share the honour include Tennant Creek, NT, for a bloke getting his “head stuck under a security gate while trying to break into a bottle-o” and Mildura, Victoria, for a “woman charged with stealing 26 BBQ chickens”. The page, which has more than 50,000 followers, is well known for its savage, yet tongue-in-cheek articles describing various towns across Australia. In 2019 Grafton was pitted against Lismore, but ultimately lost the vote.

NSW Minister for Education & Nationals MLC Sarah Mitchell accused of selling out Murwillumbah's children

 

Echo NetDaily, 31 May 2021:

The NSW Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell’s social media last week was full of posts about an upgrade for one school and officially opening another new school and ‘A fabulous day opening NSW’s newest school’, and even an ‘Absolute pleasure to spend some time this morning with a group of principals from South Western Sydney. A really informative discussion with a group of incredibly passionate and talented educators’.

Yet there is no mention of a meeting, which wasn’t an ‘absolute pleasure’ that took place with a group of incredibly passionate parents and talented educators, that will impact not one but four schools in the Murwillumbah area.

Last Wednesday the Department of Education sent out a handful of emails to members of the school communities in Murwillumbah, inviting them to a meeting, with no explanation of what that meeting was about, to be held last Friday.

They were advised again by the Department late Thursday evening that the Minister for Education would be in attendance.

The media were not invited to attend.

State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said that from the day Minister Mitchell made the announcement, Murwillumbah’s school communities had called for her to come and meet them to explain the educational rationale behind her decision.

‘The Minister needed to explain why a mega school campus will be in the best interests of local children,’ said Ms Saffin. ‘On their behalf, I requested her to visit in person and she did, meeting P&C presidents, principals and Departmental representatives, beyond infrastructure officials.

‘Last Friday’s meeting was low key to allow P&C reps to directly outline their concerns.’

Wollumbin High School P&C President Soenke Biermann. ‘the Murwillumbah community treasures its small and beautiful country schools. Don’t close them, minister! Bigger is not better!’

A closed-door meeting

Wollumbin High School P&C President Soenke Biermann said that while they were glad that the minister finally found the time to come up to the area after first being invited six months ago, it was still only to tell a handful of people in a closed-door meeting that the forced school closures and amalgamation into a radical mega-school will go ahead as planned. ‘So much for consultation!’

Mr Biermann said it’s hugely frustrating and disillusioning for parents to have both their valid concerns and alternative suggestions and proposals ignored in this manner. ‘We have been asking for genuine input, dialogue and a seat at the decision-making table since the moment this project was dropped on us like a bombshell without any community consultation whatsoever in November last year.

‘It’s very personal for us – it’s our children’s future that is at stake here and, like parents everywhere, many of us have poured countless volunteer hours into P&C meetings, fundraisers and community participation because we value and support quality public education.’

A dismissive and paternalistic government

‘To then be treated in such a dismissive and paternalistic, government-knows-best fashion is simply infuriating. Imagine not even talking to the community before making such a radical decision and now saying we are being consulted because we might get to pick the colour of the carpet in the new building – this was an actual example the minister used today,’ Mr Biermann said.

‘This is not good enough – we need a genuine say with all options on the table!’……

Selling out our children

Local MP Justine Elliot strongly condemned the NSW Liberal-National Government for their forced closure of the four schools in Murwillumbah. ‘These school closures are a shameful act by the Liberal-National Government. They are selling out our children and selling out our community.

‘Nationals Education Minister Sarah Mitchell, along with North Coast Nationals MPs Geoff Provest and Ben Franklin were caught out having an invitation-only, closed-door meeting in Murwillumbah about the school closures, but they continue to refuse to meet with the wider community, parents and students.’

Ms Elliot said that North Coast MPs Geoff Provest and Ben Franklin have imposed cruel and unfair school closures on the Murwillumbah community. ‘They have no shame.’

‘These closures will result in severe job losses and worse educational outcomes for local children. This shows yet again that in regional and rural areas – the Nationals just can’t be trusted,’ she said.

‘In total contrast to the North Coast Nationals – whose school closures show that they treat country areas with absolute contempt – I stand with the community in opposing these school closures,’ said Ms Eliot.

Kylie Rose with Anthony Albanese, Justine Elliot and Janelle Saffin when the amalgamation was announced last year. Photo supplied.

Less than 24 hours notice

Ms Mitchell clearly knew well in advance that she would be in the area as at least one other local school was prepared for her visit. She chose not to let the Murwillumbah community know.

President of the Murwillumbah East P&C Kylie Rose says that she only knew the minister would be at the meeting less that 24 hours before it happened. ‘I was advised at around 7.30pm on Thursday evening that the meeting on Friday morning would be with the minister.’

Ms Rose says she and her P&C have been calling on the minister to meet with the community for more than six months. ‘There is a very strong feeling out there that parents, teachers, students and community members should have been consulted before a decision of this magnitude was forced upon us.

‘That lack of consultation makes it very hard to move forward.’

Ms Rose says that while she was appreciative of the opportunity to put the views of the Murwillumbah East P&C directly to the minister, it quickly became apparent that Ms Mitchell had no intention of consulting on her original decision.

‘Personally, I remain unconvinced that closing four public schools and cramming all the students together in one mega school could be good for our children, our community or for public education more broadly,’ said Ms Rose……

Soenke Biermann said the Murwillumbah community treasures its small and beautiful country schools. ‘Don’t close them, minister! Bigger is not better!’

Australian Prime Minister & Liberal MP for Cook continues his war on the poor and vulnerable in a markedly callous manner

 

Scott Morrison's war on the poor and vulnerable appears to have been extended to include the elderly in residential care..... 

News.com.au, 31 May 2021:

The Federal Government quietly overturned a rule in November that private residential aged care staff were not to work at multiple sites, it has been revealed. 

News broke on Monday that a staff member at the Arcare Maidstone aged care facility had become infected with Covid-19 after working at Blue Cross aged care in Sunshine.

Three new locally acquired cases were today linked to private aged care, including the son of a worker who previously tested positive from Arcare Maidstone, the staff member who worked at the two facilities and a resident in her 90s from Arcare Maidstone.

Public aged care facilities in Victoria, managed by the Victorian Government, have rules in place banning staff from working at multiple sites.

But private aged care facilities in Victoria, managed by the Morrison Government, have allowed staff to work at more than one site.

[my yellow highlighting]