“We really need to lift our game here, move with technology and keep our community better informed,” says Councillor Stuart Freudenstein.
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The councillor told last week’s monthly council meeting he wanted to see better communication between Young Shire Council and its community.
So he turned to the general manager, in the form of a notice of motion, to investigate their options for improvement and he’s received full support from his fellow councillors.
“I have had this concern for quite some time - that our existing methods of getting messages out to our community is falling well short and that we should be looking at other options,” Cr Freudenstein said.
He cited a column by Young radio announcer Neil Langford published in the The Young Witness on Friday, September 26.
Cr Freudenstein said Mr Langford spoke about a plethora of issues in town - gathered from a radio survey - such as the urgent need for road upgrades, and incomplete and outstanding works.
But Cr Freudenstein said the radio announcer neglected to mention what efforts council had made.
He was particularly concerned council’s LIRS (Local Infrastructure Renewal Scheme) application for Lovell, Cloete and Thornhill upgrades wasn’t mentioned.
“The application, if approved, will allow council to borrow $2.5 million, obtain a three per cent interest rate subsidy and do all the works in one program rather than spread over many years, as is the case with current funding.
“Gus Smith Oval car park and Cranfield Oval were highlighted, but no mention of the $1.2 million worth of works for our sporting fields which has been brought forward due to the successful LIRS application of late.”
Cr Freudenstein said the Young Sports Advisory Committee had been deciding the final package of works so funds could be borrowed and work could begin.
“...to see that he and/or his respondents didn’t know of council’s progress exemplifies the fact that we should be trying other methods of connection with our residents,” he said.
Cr Freudenstein suggested newsletters, utilising Facebook or creating an IT and media staff position may be their best solutions.
Cr Ben Cooper said he supported Cr Freudenstein’s notice of motion 100 per cent.
“We do a great job but the message isn’t getting out there,” he said.