Councillors are back in full swing after the summer break. The first Council meeting for 2024 was held on Tuesday 20 February and Councillor Catch Ups follow on Wednesdays after meetings.
Four councillors were in attendance at this month’s catch up at Tuross Head: Mayor Mathew Hatcher, Deputy Mayor Alison Worthington, Councillors Tubby Harrison and David Grace.
One member of the public, a regular at the catchups, was first to chat with councillors. He wanted to express his frustration over the recent Dalmeny Land Release drop-in session.
“I emailed Council staff asking to change the format of the meeting to a formal Q & A session – one that had an agenda and minutes,” the gentleman said to councillors.
On the day of the drop-in session at Dalmeny more than 50 people attended, filling the community hall. With big voices requesting a sit-down meeting, the six Council staff pivoted from a drop-in to a public meeting.
Mayor Hatcher said he has witnessed similar scenarios.
“This has happened before where the community ‘hijacks’ drop-in sessions,” he said.
Councillor Grace added: “Every meeting has a purpose – some have a chairperson and an agenda, while others are meant to be informal.”
Mayor Hatcher explained the benefits of drop-in sessions.
“Drop-ins, like the one we’re at today, allow the broader community to chat with no pressure of being drowned out or intimidated by bigger voices in a room,” he said.
The meeting was an additional step to the usual community engagement process, where Council staff made themselves available to talk about the project and process prior to public exhibition.
During public exhibition there will be multiple drop-in sessions in Dalmeny, and more information available including a draft Development Control Plan and draft specialist reports.
Staff listen to feedback, and during public exhibition make changes to the masterplan where appropriate.
To view feedback so far and frequently asked questions, visit the Dalmeny Land Release project page.
Deputy Mayor Worthington greeted a member of the Tuross Head Fishing Club who spoke about Coopers Island Road.
“The whole situation is still festering,” he said.
