Politics & Council
20 March, 2024
Councillor perspective: Go direct to access chain of local action
By Cr WENDY MURPHY DIVISION 5 of the Local Government Act 2020 states “the role of a Councillor is— (a) to participate in the decision making of the council; and (b) to represent the interests of the municipal community in that decision making...
By Cr WENDY MURPHY
DIVISION 5 of the Local Government Act 2020 states “the role of a Councillor is— (a) to participate in the decision making of the council; and (b) to represent the interests of the municipal community in that decision making; and (c) to contribute to the strategic direction of the council through the development and review of key strategic documents of the council, including the council plan.
“In performing the role of a councillor, a councillor must— (a) consider the diversity of interests and needs of the municipal community; and (b) support the role of the council; and (c) acknowledge and support the role of the Mayor; and (d) act lawfully and in accordance with the oath or affirmation of office; and (e) act in accordance with the standards of conduct; and (f) comply with council procedures required for good governance.”
As a councillor, I cannot become involved in or try to influence council staff performing operational matters.
I am only able to make queries through the CEO, not directly to staff. I have encouraged people with operational requests to make them directly to the relevant staff because you as the community can go directly to the source rather than me waiting for the request for information to go from the CEO, along the chain to the staff member then back to the CEO for a reply.
As councillors we are governed by all sorts of Acts, laws and rules.
I often get asked how I’m finding being a councillor and my response is mostly positive.
It has been a huge learning curve and I have appreciated the experience for my own personal growth.
You get some training and guidance along the way, but in the end, the role is what you make of it. I really do enjoy meeting with community, attending meetings to hear what is happening and helping out if I can.
Sometimes I can’t help, but I take time to hear concerns and provide a response. It might not be
what you want to hear, but it may help in understanding processes.
But it isn’t all roses. The reading we have to do for council meetings and forums can take hours.
Often 400 pages of reports. That’s twice a month. Time to be found on top of work, family and community pursuits.
My nature is not to be front and centre in anything. I enjoy the community having their stories and achievements highlighted.
But a word left out of a line in a conversation with media or a statement used incorrectly or out of context can lead to a misrepresentation of what was said and can place false labels on you.
With social media being easily accessible to so many, and often taken as gospel, the personal attacks flow freely on the keyboards, but rarely do these same people seek to discuss things to understand.
I don’t respond to the keyboard warriors though. I will respond to people who would like to call or email or catch up face to face for a chat. It always pays to take the time to inform yourself particularly if it is about something that really concerns you.
I know the people of Loddon are positive thinkers, are hardworking and put a lot of effort into your communities. You get good things done. Yes, there are issues impacting individuals which should not be overlooked or trivialised, but the good news stories are important too.
* Wendy Murphy is Loddon Shire’s Inglewood Ward councillor