Congratulations on the new website, Tasmanian Ratepayers Association. I’m encouraged by the professional content of your site and see it as a way for community engagement regarding transparency and accountability in the way councils do business.
Social inclusion will deliver social harmony outcomes, and what better way is there for community to contribute for the common good. Your blog site offers this opportunity for local government and community to build a working relationship.
Having recently attended a conference on sustainable living and climate change, only reinforces my resolve that we can do better, and must step up to the plate to bring about a more sustainable and community orientated future.
Open space and social interaction coupled with a revue on recycling of waste, renewable energy options, and a complete revue of planning policy statewide can bring about sustainability as the finite mineral resources pass their tipping point.
I cannot over emphasize the need for more open community consultation as part of the process. I have seen how it can benefit development partnerships and give certainty and assurance to developers, both domestic and in the business sector. It doesn’t have to be as complicated as we make it. Public forums will go a long way to deliver acceptable policy that fits within statutory frameworks.
Rates and the AAV are always contentious and I know that there has to be a better method of setting rates, perhaps your site would be a good platform to start the process. Certainly the subject is topical and everyone has an opinion. Why not engage community and contribute to the discussion.
Positive proposals can deliver positive outcomes. Criticism is valid but it it is more productive if followed by suggestions for improvement.
Recent criticism at a public meeting held by council, highlighted the need for line iteming in the budget spreadsheet. The blurring of boundaries led to confusion and frustrated for those wishing more clarification. If we are to truly engage in open and transparent representation, then perhaps we need look at the way we do business, starting with the budget bottom line.
There are many more possibilities that can be explored, and this may be the right forum to commence the process. I look forward to being a regular communicator in the discussion. I believe in a peoples council policy where we all can contribute towards better and conciliatory outcomes. It can all start here. More positive input please.
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From the desk of:
Ian Norton,
Alderman,
Launceston City Council,
Town Hall, St. John Street, 7250
Phone: 0407 951 437 (24 hour)
Social inclusion will deliver social harmony outcomes, and what better way is there for community to contribute for the common good. Your blog site offers this opportunity for local government and community to build a working relationship.
Having recently attended a conference on sustainable living and climate change, only reinforces my resolve that we can do better, and must step up to the plate to bring about a more sustainable and community orientated future.
Open space and social interaction coupled with a revue on recycling of waste, renewable energy options, and a complete revue of planning policy statewide can bring about sustainability as the finite mineral resources pass their tipping point.
I cannot over emphasize the need for more open community consultation as part of the process. I have seen how it can benefit development partnerships and give certainty and assurance to developers, both domestic and in the business sector. It doesn’t have to be as complicated as we make it. Public forums will go a long way to deliver acceptable policy that fits within statutory frameworks.
Rates and the AAV are always contentious and I know that there has to be a better method of setting rates, perhaps your site would be a good platform to start the process. Certainly the subject is topical and everyone has an opinion. Why not engage community and contribute to the discussion.
Positive proposals can deliver positive outcomes. Criticism is valid but it it is more productive if followed by suggestions for improvement.
Recent criticism at a public meeting held by council, highlighted the need for line iteming in the budget spreadsheet. The blurring of boundaries led to confusion and frustrated for those wishing more clarification. If we are to truly engage in open and transparent representation, then perhaps we need look at the way we do business, starting with the budget bottom line.
There are many more possibilities that can be explored, and this may be the right forum to commence the process. I look forward to being a regular communicator in the discussion. I believe in a peoples council policy where we all can contribute towards better and conciliatory outcomes. It can all start here. More positive input please.
--
From the desk of:
Ian Norton,
Alderman,
Launceston City Council,
Town Hall, St. John Street, 7250
Phone: 0407 951 437 (24 hour)
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