100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Jane Stephens: residents expect responsible and respectful service from council

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Childcare centre with 130 places proposed for development area

A new childcare centre is on the cards for a Sunshine Coast growth belt. Nirimba ELC Property One Pty Limited proposes to build a childcare More

Why airfares are rising: tourism expert

Multiple factors are contributing to elevated airfares this holiday season, according to a University of the Sunshine Coast tourism academic. Low competition, a shortage of More

Property experts join board of regional business group

Two property development experts have been appointed to the board of the region's leading business advocacy group. Stockland Aura project director Josh Sondergeld and Scanlon More

Sami Muirhead: rolling in festive bliss

What would your last meal be if you had to decide today? I know mine is a fresh prawn roll. Nothing in this world beats More

Photo of the day: after the storm

This photo was taken by Jo Allayialis from Cotton Tree pier after a storm. If you have a photo of the day offering, email photo@sunshinecoastnews.com.au More.

Coast’s highest rooftop bar and pool unveiled

The highest rooftop bar on the Sunshine Coast has opened, with its own pool and striking views of the beach and surrounding suburbs. The as-yet-unnamed More

Now that the voting is over and the counting is done, the rubber has hit the road for those who wanted to be on our councils.

Each of those elected really wanted the job, and most worked like Trojans to impress us enough to put that magic number ‘1’ next to their names.

So, let’s now hold them to their words.

Imagine a panel of councillors who are each conscious of their role, cognisant of their responsibilities and respectful of those who put them there.

This should not be a utopian idea: we should settle for nothing less.

Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.

It is not fantasyland to expect better than backbiting and sniping, dismissiveness and conflicts of interest on the down-low.

In fact, the new councillors all sign a pledge that they will do none of these.

The state government oversees our councils’ responsibilities and controls, and recently passed a new code of conduct for councillors.

As we know, local government is far from trivial. Councils make decisions that have a direct effect on people.

So, it is vital that councillors take it seriously. Their work is for our collective benefit, after all.

Among the things the councillors and mayors must sign their names to are: to have transparent processes and make decisions in the public interest; to oversee sustainable development and management of assets and infrastructure; and to conduct transparent and meaningful community engagement.

The councillors and mayors also agreed to act in a polite, respectful, just and non-discriminatory way towards each other, council staff and the public.

Here’s hoping in the rough and tumble of debate and disagreement, they remember that one.

The Sunshine Coast City Hall is the home of Sunshine Coast Council, at the heart of the city centre.

It is not too much to expect that those who stood for election and achieved enough support to now be paid wages, that we provide through our rates, will put their hearts, souls and best behaviour into the job.

Part of their pledge was to engender and strengthen trust in the integrity of local government.

Our system depends on us believing such authorities act for the greater good.

If enough of us lose faith, anarchy is sure to ensue.

Let’s just hope that overall we have chosen councillors wisely.

Dr Jane Stephens is a UniSC journalism lecturer, media commentator and writer.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share