Port Stephens Council business papers exhibition time pruned back a week

CONTROVERSY erupted at the latest Port Stephens Council (PSC) meeting during a discussion on how to handle the overturning of the new NSW Model Code of Meeting Practices.

“What an absolute disgrace this process has been,” said Cr Nathan Errington noting that, in his view, Minister Ron Hoenig failed to listen to councils across NSW when he pushed for the now-disallowed Model Code.

Council discussed the option of reverting to the previous Code, while also shortening the lead time for the release of business papers from four weeks to three.

Cr Chris Doohan approved of the change, which had already been discussed by council in an earlier meeting.

“Give staff that extra week of time to get enough information … so that this report is accurate and it’s got something we can really chew on,” Cr Doohan said.

“One week isn’t going to kill the community, and it’s certainly not going to kill us.”

Cr Errington, Cr Watson and Mayor Anderson agreed with the reasoning, citing practicality and the fact that business papers in other councils were usually submitted just a week in advance.

Cr Giacomo Arnott vehemently disagreed with the proposal, pushing for the exhibition time to remain at four weeks.

“What we’ve heard tonight in opposition to reverting back to our original approach are a bunch of fake reasons that have absolutely zero basis in reality,” Cr Arnott continued.

“Quite frankly, I don’t really care what other councils do. We set the standard here and, if anything, they should be looking to us for what the benchmark is.”

Cr Arnott, Cr Francis and Cr Armstrong voted in favour of keeping the release of the papers to four weeks in advance, but found themselves in the minority.

Council approved the reversal of the Code and the shortening of the exhibition time to three weeks, with an additional amendment, also proposed by Cr Arnott, that will allow councillors to submit late notices of motion.

By Nico LOMBARDO