For too long, Tweed Heads resident ratepayers have had to endure unsatisfactory electoral representation from the collective group system of Tweed shire councillors.
Presently, each councillor represents the whole of the sire rather than an individual area, such as Tweed Heads.
Some councillors, who disregard the wishes of a majority of residents on a particular issue, can be confident that they will not lose their councillor position in an election, particularly if they belong to a selective party.
This disregard was demonstrated last week, when three councillors voted to support the unsatisfactory location of a water fun park in the premier regional park of Jack Evans Boat Harbour, without adequate public consultation.
With these councillors’ support, the Aquasplash owner has already advanced their lodged application for a lease over our harbour parkland.
There has been no environmental assessment; no consultations with either the Tweed River Committee, Aboriginal stakeholders, all affected commercial interests or the wider residential community.
Instead the ‘advocate aqua’ councillors have voted to support the location of an aquatic fun park, where the Tweed Shire Council has kept secret, the details of the harbour proposal.
It is now time for an electoral change, so that each Tweed shire area could be fairly represented.
Such an electoral change would allow the dismissal of a councillor providing unsatisfactory representation, in their area. It would be to our shame, to see the NSW government step in again, to improve council administration.
Richard W Murray, Tweed Heads
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