Crouch welcomes Council inquiry report
Central Coast Parliamentary Secretary Mr Adam Crouch has welcomed the report from the public inquiry into Central Coast Council.
Mr Crouch said he welcomed all eight recommendations in the report.
"I have met with Minister for Local Government Ms Wendy Tuckerman on a number of occasions expressing our community's concerns.
"I thank the Minister for recognising these concerns and therefore tabling the report, out of session, today.
"I absolutely welcome the first recommendation declaring all civic offices at Central Coast Council be declared vacant, effective immediately.
"The focus of elected Councillors needs to be about the betterment for our region, not about individual point scoring.
"This report has clearly identified that their behavior has played a contributing factor.
"I welcome the recommendation for rigorous and mandatory training for future councillors, providing those seeking to be elected into office with the necessary framework and understanding needed to undertake their responsibilities.
"I am pleased to see that Commissioner Ms Roslyn McCulloch's recommends that an Administrator be appointed to serve until the local government election, the date of which will be determined in consultation with the Electoral Commission."
Mr Crouch said Council administrator Mr Rik Hart and general manager Mr David Farmer had "done an excellent job, making the tough decisions related to the Council's financial situation that the former elected body failed to make".
"It is important to note that Commissioner McCulloch's report reaffirms that the voluntary amalgamation of both Gosford and Wyong Council in 2016 did not contribute to Central Coast Council's financial issue," he said.
SOURCE:
Media release, 17 Mar 2022
Adam Crouch, Central Coast Secretary