I am always pleased when one of my letters lures our reclusive Byron shire GM out of his bunker.
The letter Mr Gainger referred to was actually about the less than optimal performance of his staff in managing a plan to update the Tyagarah airstrip and the long-term neglect of staff oversight by responsible councillors.
Unsurprisingly he decided not to go there.
As to to the Internal Audit Committee mention which so excited him, I know a lot about the committee’s genesis and chequered history having been instrumental in its establishment and a member before and after it became a government requirement.
This committee was always closely controlled and encouraged to keep to ‘safe’ areas. To my knowledge the only dodgy practice it has ever uncovered was suspect activity in the vehicle fleet back in my time and on my instigation.
As to GM Ken’s remarkably fast response to my letter; it has been six months since the committee’s last meeting not a ‘quarter’, expressions of interest for new community members have not been advertised and why haven’t tenders been called earlier for an audit contractor when staff were fully aware of the expiry date?
Finally a suggestion, how about having the committee kick off its new term by looking into the management of the well-endowed sewerage fund over the last 15 years?
Tom Tabart, Bangalow

