It’s time for our community to come together with purpose and demand accountability. Residents have legitimate questions about cumulative rate increases, where our money is being spent, and why critical infrastructure continues to fail.
Let’s turn frustration into a constructive action plan:
- Demand financial transparency. Where has our rates revenue gone, what has it delivered, and why are further increases needed?
- Insist on evidence-based investigations. Infrastructure failures require properly-scoped, risk-based inspections – not assumptions that one inspection can represent an entire shire.
- Prioritise essential infrastructure. Ask Council to publish critical deficiencies, funding gaps, responsible teams and delivery timeframes.
- Use the proper processes. Submit documented evidence, questions and complaints through Council and, where warranted, the relevant regulatory authorities.
- Unite for results. Bring together residents’ evidence and experiences, submit a coordinated community request, and track Council’s responses and commitments.
We must verify the figures being circulated before relying on them publicly. Our argument is strongest when grounded in evidence. This is not about attacking individuals. It is about responsible spending, sound governance, and infrastructure that is fit for purpose.
If residents are being asked to pay more, we are entitled to demand transparency, clear priorities, and measurable results.
Let’s replace frustration with evidence, division with collaboration, and promises with accountability. Less division. More evidence. One community. Real accountability.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
