By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Casey Council, while without elected councillors, is working on ways to ensure the community has a “voice”, chief executive Glenn Patterson said.
Interim administrator Noelene Duff will perform the full “roles, functions and powers” of the former 11 councillors who were sacked by State Parliament last month.
A former Whitehorse Council CEO, Ms Duff will take part in two council briefings and two public council meetings each month. She has the power to review and amend agenda items put forward by council officers.
She is expected to be replaced by a panel of three administrators in two months.
Mr Patterson said he was concerned about the “community representation and engagement gap”, more than any lack of probity.
“There’s a real need for us to think on how to give the community a voice.”
One initiative was to invite planning applicants and objectors to present to the Ms Duff and senior planning staff.
There will also be opportunities for residents to contact Ms Duff online through the council’s Casey Conversations portal.
In the meantime, council staff will be “stepping up” to fill ceremonial roles. Mr Patterson will take on the ‘mayoral’ function in opening Sweeney Reserve Pavilion in coming days.
He said the community would continue to be engaged in the council’s long-term planning and vision.
“The message to the community is rather than working through the councillors is working through council officers.”
Staff were being coached on being “very open and engaging” with the public.
“The obligation is on you to step up and make sure you’re giving the community that opportunity.”
