This is a watershed election, candidate says at forum. Here’s why

Susanna Freymark

There was a continued tense undercurrent between candidates at the third candidates forum at the Kyogle Bowling Club on September 5.

It’s been a busy time at IndyNR.com covering the council elections in Kyogle and Richmond Valley. All up there have been 40 candidates and seven candidate forums across the two LGAs.

With the election tomorrow, we knew we had to get this forum story to you.

This is a summary of the forum – we haven’t put all the answers to all questions but selected a cross-section.

16 candidates were at the Kyogle Bowling Club at the Kyogle & District Business Chamber – Kieran Somerville, Glenn Robinson, Robert Cullen, James Murray, Tom Cooper, Ian Murrell, Danielle Mulholland, Brett McNamara, Doug Layton, Simon Dejoux, Olivia Taylor, John Burley, Naomi Worrall, Robin Harley, Earle Grundy and Janet Wilson.

Neil Summerville was absent.

Former Lismore mayor Jenny Dowell was the moderator.

Throughout the election campaign, there have been questions about the past term of council hanging heavy in the room.

Why didn’t councillors get on? Was there block voting? Why was the GM sacked?

These questions from the community haven’t been adequately answered and given the different points of view on this, the community may never get clear answers to these controversial questions.

Ms Wilson, at least, had a go at addressing the controversy. She is known for being direct and her opening remarks at the forum were just that.

“What happened to our council?” Ms Wilson said.

“It was a failure of leadership. The failure has led to issues in governing.

“Councillors are not friendship groups. They operate in the context of the Local Government Act.”

Ms Wilson’s voice carried across an audience of about 100 people.

“That failure of leadership has led to a disrupted council. Let’s think about leadership.

“This is a watershed election.”

Each candidate then introduced themselves.

Rather than repeat what they said, if you want to know more about the candidates in your ward read about them here – Ward A, Ward B and Ward C.

Mr Murray addressed the sacking of the GM for the first time.

“My colleagues and I have been bullied by Code of Conducts,” he said.

“We couldn’t ask questions. I lost trust in the GM… when someone thinks they’re above the institution.

He accused but did not name people, of lining their pockets as money flowed into council and of cronyism.

“The elephant of neglect left its footprint,” Mr Murray said.

In response, when it was her turn, Ms Mulholland spoke about the GM sacking too.

After the GM sacking when Graham Kennett had passed his performance review, it cost the council $300,000, a new GM was appointed with no resume and seven weeks later, he walked out the door, Ms Mulholland said.

“We need to lead so our community can thrive,” she said.

Mr Dejoux said no reason was given on the GM sacking.

“We deserve better than that,” he said.

“If like me you’ve been unhappy with some councillors this term, make your vote count.”

Here are some of the questions from the floor on the night.

Question: A transparent and open council has been mentioned several times. If elected –will you allow questions from the public without notice or prior approval?

Wilson: It’s a legislative change done by Local Government.

Grundy: Only a very small number of people exercise this option for public access. I’m open to discussing it.

McNamara: I have an open mind. It’s about accountability.

Mulholland: We get so few people attending council meetings. We need to expand the gallery.

Dejoux: The change (questions with notice) happened in 2018. If people feel strongly about it, the new council can change it.

Harley:  You get rid of scurrilous types if it is put in writing first.

Cooper: The chamber is not fit for purpose and not fit for disabled access.

Several candidates said they supported livestreaming council meetings. Currently, meetings are recorded and a podcast is put up on the council website a few days after the meeting.

Question: In 2016, council agreed on a mountain bike/trail strategy. Stage 1 is complete. What will you do to implement the next stage?

Wilson: Bike trails generate income for the community and are low impact on the environment.

McNamara: It’s a no-brainer. It’s about activism and getting people back out in nature.

Cullen: Totally in support. A viewing platform is planned for Fairy Mount.

Cooper: After the floods, there was an enormous push to do roads and landslips. The (bike trails) were put on the back burner. We’ve been focused on flood recovery.

Question: There was a long question from a resident about the council’s Climate Change Working Group and why not many environmental or climate change initiatives had been put into place.

Cooper: I’m an environmentalist and a Green. I’m a Green because I’m a farmer. I want to see my farm there for my grandchildren. The climate group has done some good work.

Dejoux: Mitigate it –don’t make it worse and adapt to it – it’s not going to get fixed overnight.

Mulholland: The Climate Change Working Group wasn’t successful because no recommendations came to the council. We need robust policy around climate change.

Somerville: I was a community member of the working group. It was frustrating when ideas weren’t supported. There was a lack of leadership in the group. We need a restructure and new leadership. It needs to be reshaped.

McNamara: There’s no such thing as a climate change sceptic at the end of a fire hose.

Murray: I’m proud to say I voted against the $84,000 (commissioned) report. Climate change is variable – it’s a natural thing like summer and winter. We need to get back to the basics of being a council and stop wasting money on this sort of thing.

Question: Have you had a criminal history check done and will you get a criminal check and Working with Children done if elected?

All candidates said yes.

Murray: I have a criminal record for a comedy of errors. (no further details were offered)

Murrell: I have been arrested for protesting against the Gulf War.

Question: Will you nominate for mayor? What would you look for in a mayor?

Read candidates’ answers here.

For all Kyogle Council Election stories and ballot papers go here.