By the time most people read this, I will no longer be a councillor, so this will be my last post on Local Government matters. It’s been an interesting, if at times challenging, ride over the last 10 years and I have been encouraged by the positive feedback from readers of my ramblings.
Most of the issues that I have discussed over the years relate to planning matters. Dealing with, and understanding these issues is probably the most complex and contentious part of a councillor’s role. The breadth of the legislation involved is just part of the story. Being seen, often a little unfairly I might add, as the reason why someone is or isn’t allowed to do something they might want to do with or on their property, however, can be a very effective way of limiting one’s social circle.
But getting back to the election itself, I believe, but have not been able to personally confirm, that with recent changes in the necessary legislation, this will be the first time all preferences will actually be counted in a local government election. Regulations hitherto have not taken into account the fact that we have computers capable of executing this task much more quickly than can human beings. In the past, the regulations required that the distribution of preferences be based on a sample of ballot papers, not the counting of every individual paper, even though all ballot papers have been electronically tabulated (i.e. ‘computer ready’) for at least the last ten years.
So, given the number of essentially unknown candidates and the fact that two of the four sitting councillors who are contesting the election have not nominated in electable positions on the ballot paper, there could well be a few surprises and a [politically] unpredictable Council. The NSWEC, however, in almost theatrical fashion, is not committing to finalising any results for several weeks after election day, so it could be a less than relaxing Christmas for some.
If you’re after a bit of light(er) entertainment (actually, given that this is a genuine documentary, it’s not exactly ‘funny’) while you await the announcement of the Council election results, take a look at the [1996] documentary Rats in the Ranks, an account of the 1994 Mayoral election in Leichardt Council.
More entertaining may be the subsequent satirical comedy (actually, closer to a documentary than most people would like) TV series Grass Roots—Australian humour in the vein of The Games and Utopia.
For anyone who was too young to know what was going on, or who just missed it at the time, Grass Roots (just Google it, some of the episodes are available on YouTube and the whole series, while it can be a little difficult to find now, was released on DVD) is the next best thing to—some might suggest even better than—reading through old QPR Blog posts. The series, and the Rats in the Ranks documentary (that’s available on YouTube too), do indeed offer a more in-depth coverage of the political machinations of local government than I ever contemplated presenting.
From the DVD cover:
Welcome to Arcadia Waters Council, where the local politicians dream and scheme, intent on climbing the political ladder through corruption and shady deals. Where the Staff work hard to keep all the skeletons neatly in their cupboards, and where the ordinary local people just want their rubbish collected, their streets cleaned, and for someone at the council to pay attention for a minute and for heaven’s sake, stop the dog next door from barking all night!
It’s only days to the local government election and Col Dunkley, Mayor of Arcadia Waters, wants to be re-elected for another term.
Col’s main political opponent, Biddy Marchant, also wants to be Mayor. She’s a charming, ruthless conspirator. She could win.
The election night results take Col and his faction back into Council but without a majority. He and Biddy have equal numbers and the position of Mayor will be decided by an independent new councillor.
The story unfolds when we meet the councillors, as they succumb to the pressure of local politics and the local people tear out their hair and get on with their lives.
And with that, hoping that the words of Douglas Adams won’t be too apocryphal, so long and thanks for all the fish!
Comment from Peter Shellard
30 November 2021 @ 04:57
Peter,
Congratulations on 10 years of service to the local community. You have always been honest in engaging with the community as you worked tirelessly to provide the best outcomes for us all without fear or favour.
Your work as Mayor in leading the Palarang Council was especially noteworthy. The good grace with which you continued to serve with integrity, through the period of our deceptively imposed council amalgamation, must also be recognised and celebrated.
Best Wishes.