A REPORT prepared for Wagga City Council (WWCC) confirming its commitment to participating in a Joint Organisation (JO) pilot has provided little confidence to some councillors.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Councillors noted the report containing information on the status of the JO pilot, under the Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Council (REROC), at Tuesday night's ordinary council meeting.
The report stated the office of local government granted REROC an extension for its submission of the action plan until the end of February after WWCC Rod Kendall requested an extension in December.
But Councillor Kevin Poynter expressed concerns at Tuesday's meeting over the lack of consultation during the process.
"They're not consulting with councillors about what they're trying to achieve for the trial," Cr Poynter said.
"It's important councillors represent the people and have the voice to set up this organisation.
"It seems to me there's a desire to exclude councillors and I'm not sure if it's coming from REROC or the state government."
Councillor Kendall wrote to the minister for local government and REROC on December 18 and 23 respectively, detailing his council's concerns over tight timeframes, while confirming its commitment to work with Riverina councils to establish a framework that recognises the importance of developing enhanced outcomes for the area.
Cr Poynter said consultation with local councillors hadn't occurred after a REROC meeting in December, which prompted an urgency motion at the following WWCC meeting.
"From what our general manager Phil Pinyon provided, it seems to me there's no interest to give us the opportunity to respond," Cr Poynter said.
"REROC is essentially supposed to represent us, but I don't know how that's going to happen if they don't consult with us."
The Riverina pilot was announced on November 12 after REROC submitted an expression of interest to local government minister Paul Toole on October 17.
At the REROC information session on December 15, it was stated than an action plan was to be drafted by REROC and sent to the office of local government before the end of December.
REROC now has until the end of February to make its submission.
WWCC councillors will be provided with regular updates throughout the pilot process and information will be distributed as it becomes available.