Susanna Freymark
The issue of cramped council chambers was discussed at the Kyogle Council meeting today, Monday, May 12.
Councillor Janet Wilson said it was the fourth time the issue had been raised in her time as a councillor.
Mayor Danielle Mulholland put forward a motion that the council do a feasibility study for converting the KMI supper room into council chambers.
By the end of the discussion, that motion was drastically changed.
Council’s general manager Marcus Schintler said chambers were used twice a month for the council meeting and for the workshop for councillors.
Councillor Rob Cullen said he was shocked to see the motion.
“I couldn’t believe it. Volunteer groups use that space incredibly,” Mr Cullen said.
“It is heavily booked. This shows not being in touch with community organisations.
“I’m very against the concept. We need to look at a longer term plan.”
Ms Wilson said the bigger problem was the lack of other spaces that not-for-profit groups could use free of charge.
Councillor Brett McNamara said the council chambers sat in the building where his grandfather sat as a councillor. It was built in 1937.
Councillor Tom Cooper said the chambers might be cramped “but this is a council building.”
“We’re skating around the edges here,” Mr Cooper said.
“This room is a bit too small. It’s not that the council has grown. Our problem is our staff has grown – they need more accommodation.”
Mr Cooper pointed to the portraits of mayors, framed and hung on the walls around the chambers.
“I sense the history in this room,” he said.
“We need to keep it. I don’t want to be under the toilets.”
The KMI supper room is below ground, and under the public toilets on Stratheden Street.
Councillor John Burley suggested extending the council building out the back on the first floor and keeping the car park.
This would cost a substantial amount of money.
Ms Wilson said, “We could always reduce the number of councillors.”
Councillor Kieran Somerville said more discussion was needed.
Ms Mulholland said the point of her motion was to ‘feel the temperature’.
“It is clear you don’t want to use the supper room,” she said.
The motion was changed to – Council doing a report (in-house) about the options for council chambers excluding the KMI supper room.
The supper room is clearly off the table as an option and remains a venue for community groups.