The future of local government

The Voices of Central Coast (VOCC) will be holding a Public Forum with expert speakers in the lead up to the Council elections this year.

28 February 2024

 

LOOKING forward to the future of local government on the Central Coast will be the theme of the public forum on 6 March and will examine:

 

• How does local government really work?

 

• How can we rebuild effective local democracy on the Central Coast?

 

Barbara Wills, President of VOCC, said “this year is an important year for local democracy and the opportunity to have elected representatives returned to Central Coast Council”.

 

“There has been a high level of community dissatisfaction with Council under Administration for almost 5 of the last 8 years.”

 

“There is also deep concern about the current Administrator’s efforts to influence the upcoming Council elections and promote the view that Council is a de facto Board of Directors – rather than representing the interests of residents, ratepayers and the community.”

 

Expert speakers will suggest some fresh thinking about the varied roles of Councillors and the underlying purpose and nature of local government in our region.

 

Speakers include Glenn Inglis, Managing Director, The Inglis Group, Former Council CEO and Councillor and Graham Sansom, Adjunct Professor, UTS Institute of Public Policy and Governance. The event will have an independent facilitator, Mr. David Abrahams.

 

This event will give community organisations and residents the background information that they need in the run-up to September Council elections as they consider what kind of candidates they want to support. It will also be useful for anybody considering standing as a candidate in the upcoming elections.

 

VOCC is a non-partisan community group that wants to improve our democracy.

 

The Public Forum will be held on Wednesday, 6 March 2024 from 6.30-8.30pm at Ourimbah. Numbers are limited and bookings are essential.

 

Register here. at: