COUNCIL BETRAYAL

So, in Australia we have three tiers of government - Federal, State and local. Each tier has its own set of powers and responsibilities, but they all work together to govern and provide services to our community. Local government or Councils play a key role in decision-making and delivering services to communities. They are tasked with the duty of looking out for the well-being of their citizens. The ratepayers/citizens pay their rates to fund the jobs of Council staff and the elected members/councillors are elected by the people, for the people.

Now when a Council doesn't want to listen to its people because it is being pressured by the State Government, or big business, to act a certain way, what does that tell us about the Council and its allegiance? When a Council also allows 'big business'/developers to deceive its customers by failing to follow through with promises made prior to purchasing into the development, what does that tell us about the Council's integrity?

It is a David and Goliath situation when ordinary citizens, who purchase properties in good faith based on what they are promised by the developer, are duped when those promises are later abandoned or changed detrimentally; or when promised greenspace for a high-density development is sequestered for 42 years to accommodate big business. These citizens have no one to look after their welfare and their rights are being ignored. The Council should be looking out for its citizens and fighting for them, instead of succumbing to pressure from big corporations or the State Government. Councils should look after and listen to its community.

It is time for people to be heard and listened to by their local governing body. If Councils can get away with failing to represent the people they are meant to serve, then why are we paying for them to keep their jobs? Where is the accountability?