Tweed councilors must commit to transparency

“When Councillor Milne properly bought this matter to Tweed Council last December all Councillors should have discussed this matter in public, rather than close the meeting to the public.

 Local residents have a right to know how ratepayers’ money is being spent by Councillors. Why it is that the majority of Councillors seem to think that this is a problem?

“What have they got to hide?

“It is truly astounding given all Tweed Council has been through in the last decade or so that the majority of Councillors simply don’t seem to understand the importance of public scrutiny”, said Ms Hale.

“An ICAC Commissioner has in the past criticised Tweed Council’s history of making decisions behind closed doors as creating, “a climate conducive to corruption”, and yet not only do the majority of Councillors refuse to allow public scrutiny of Councillors expenses, but they make that decision behind closed doors.

“With significant developments such as Cobaki Lakes and Kings Forest under consideration by the State Government the pressures on the natural environment of the Tweed and on Council’s resources will be significant.

“The community will be looking to its elected Councillors to act responsibly on the big issues, and if it can’t get issues such as transparency right then it bodes poorly for the future of this beautiful area, said Ms Hale.

 Further information: Colin Hesse on 02 9230 3030 or 0401 719 124