Figures released by the OLG show the number of Code of Conduct complaints rose by 63 per cent from 241 in 2017/18 to 395 in 2019/20. HW[6Sc1r gndA%|l qX? A Byabarra farmer has taken his complaints against Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's handling of its unsealed road network to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). )N}R%$LtE^z4;{zUn(qmkR\1ZAEDy4.*5 Office of Local Government release Model Code of Conduct complaints investigations costs November 17 2021 - 3:00pm Council's all around NSW have seen a significant spike in the number of complaints and the cost to deal with them in the past two years. Some content on this page may not display correctly. Making a public interest disclosure (whistleblowing), Information in Easy Read and in other languages, Handling public interest disclosures (whistleblowing), PID responsibilities for public authorities, PIDs and the Government Information (Public Access) Act, Subscribe to the public interest disclosures newsletter, Automated decision-making in the public sector, Administrative Law and automated-decision making, Implementing automated decision-making systems, Managing unreasonable conduct by a complainant. We are publicly exhibiting the Customer Experience Policy, Customer Complaint Policy and Draft Unreasonable Customer Conduct Policy so that any member of the public can provide feedback on any or all of the policies between Friday, 23 October 2020 to Friday, 20 November 2020. Not to be confused with customer requests, complaints tell us about customer dissatisfaction with either. Complaints can: You have a right to good services and fair treatment. If your issue is an EMERGENCY, call us directly on (02) 6581 8111 for issues such as: burst water mains sewerage leak tree fallen over the road hazardous pollution issues (e.g. Home - Port Macquarie Hastings Council - Logo, If your issue is not listed under any of the above topics, you can still, Type the characters you see in the image below, Connecting to water (Section 305/307 compliance), Works & activities within a public road reserve, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community, Graffiti Management Mural Project - Stage 1 & 2, Building, construction & development forms, hazardous pollution issues (e.g. endobj Port Macquarie and Surrounds Community Notice Board. - Facebook Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. HWK719VUzf!>!vJ-f{,C?V=U&eq;%'^NTFM23wFd:'YauL'wo7)q&MYwUmDmI'U.~>{rS5!ll&8/>#u1HVQ;eV%"4+k,ZmIa7yc/1;ccsA~W7"$stdbsg{q"(1N9*!? Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. k9Q4X\NJmF hC1l':nyz"U+A ]L\j>FeT4 o[.HR7 e'N\nB92I@EEi#i 5u-/x,:D1U(2[sjZ:gf)SZ`T+}#K7PRI?djgi[B"M&Q*O^f jhE According to the data, Kempsey Shire Council had five Code of Conduct complaints and spent $1107 investigating, but none of the complaints were found to breach the Code. Here areall the different ways you can get in touch with us. Deputy mayor Cr Lisa Intemann said if there is no way to "de-identify" information without breaching the confidentiality clause of the code, then there is also no way of putting in place corrective measures to improve behaviour; or even determine if a person, or a group of people, are simply making spurious claims against a councillor. Access unlimited content, the digital versions of our print editions - Today's Paper, as well as the Newcastle Herald app. Two arrested during investigation into Gordon Street hit-and-run crash. endobj "After that, I got a five page rambling document that was a record of the matter. ax3r:=I1T!-ZkJT.gY3t]heS$R6?tXa]_;;_;?4X`j?4X?+\/H_ky|UYlY~vPt>_Z 3A%{{R0 We extend our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who choose to call Port Macquarie Hastings home. endstream /Info 6 0 R For example, a complaint is made if a councillor is accused of finger-pointing or abuse for simply raising a point of order in a meeting, when in fact points of order are allowed. x1`vibTp&08#XI#7L%NOX=~|6{\q}M/_IL)fqqX K MidCoast Council had two complaints and spent $0 investigating; ultimately, none of the complaints breached the Code. Lismore Council recorded the most complaints with 52 recorded costing $82,614 in investigation costs, resulting in two breaches of the Code. Cr Levido asked general manager Craig Swift-McNair directly if he could confirm how many complaints were made against him, the results of any investigations against him as a councillor and whether there had been any breach of his duties identified. Bail granted to Mid North Coast man charged with selling drugs on dark web, Lehrmann defamation cases survive serious challenge, Two arrested during investigation into Gordon Street hit-and-run crash, Be very wary of politicians sounding the youth crime alarm, Police appeal for information following alleged hit-and-run, pursuit, $30m meth stuffed into duffel bags seized in NSW, 'Media frenzy': Why judge kept Lehrmann application secret, 'Beset by tension': Inquiry hears #MeToo movement likely affected Lehrmann case, Elderly pedestrian critical, police searching for Hilux that 'sped off', Terms and Conditions - Digital Subscription, Terms and Conditions - Newspaper Subscription. Our Minister for Local Government should have a look at the complaints, not just in our council and what is going on, but in other councils as well.". "If you look objectively at the process they (ratepayers) would be shocked at what went on," Cr Levido said. Ph: 6581 8111, 17 Burrawan Street Council's around NSW have seen a significant spike in the number of complaints and the cost to deal with them in the past two years. zBEO0} F1a^\*Gk d5H*OxdqdZMU4bs$El"d-MVL[. We are committed to seeking and receiving feedback and complaints about our services, systems, practices, procedures, operations and complaint handling. Calls received outside of business hours are diverted to our after hours call centre. Port Macquarie court list - Federal Circuit Court of Australia That was three months ago and I have heard nothing since. stream <>stream Shadow Minister for Local Government, Greg Warren, said a major overhaul of the Model Code of Conduct was need to ensure the system was efficient, effective and not used for political point scoring purposes at the expense of councils and their communities. Mayor Peta Pinson also requested the general manager provide the code of conduct complaint statistics since 2016 to the Minister for Local Government. Ruby Pascoe. CfZE-n% We can help people who have been unfairly treated by community services that are run or funded by the government. And you have a right to complain to the Ombudsman if that doesn't happen. xc`````z f2 /Size 36 /Prev 53154 Type the characters you see in the image below, Connecting to water (Section 305/307 compliance), Works & activities within a public road reserve, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community, Graffiti Management Mural Project - Stage 1 & 2, Building, construction & development forms. Hearings can be observed by any member of the public. A step-by-step guide to making a complaint. <> In 2016 and 2017, there were no code of conduct complaints for Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. She asked Mr Swift McNair if he believed that as a result of the investigations into these complaints "things have got better". Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. Details of all registered JP's in our region can be accessed via the NSW Communities & Justice website. all the different ways you can get in touch with us. Cr Justin Levido, who drew the spotlight on himself at the December council meeting, said the code of conduct procedure is "an absolute disgrace". Reach our customer service team during business hours, Monday to Friday on (02) 6581 8111. You have a right to complain about the services you get. 12 0 obj Bellingen Shire Council had a clean slate. Photo: File IT was a $64,000 question that amounted to nothing. Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Find information on our council, and their contact details. Police appeal for . Any further enquiries, please contact Councils Group Manager Customer Experience and Communications, Jane Ree on telephone (02) 6581 8111 or email to council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au. "I agree with Cr Levido that in the great majority of cases complaints come from the community and not councillors and that there must be something done to make this a more reasonable and lawful process," Cr Intemann said. Port Macquarie Subject: Ordinary Council meeting held on 17/03/2022 - Item 11.04 Policy Review - Customer Complaint Policy - Attachment Draft Customer Complaints Handling Flowchart Keywords: Ordinary Council meeting held on 17/03/2022 - Item 11.04 Policy Review - Customer Complaint Policy - Attachment Draft Customer Complaints Handling . Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Bellingen Shire Council was listed among councils across the state for expenditure on investigating complaints. Georges River Council spent more than $201,000 investigating 17 complaints of which only three breached the Code. If you have a story to share, email tracey.fairhurst@austcommunitymedia.com.au. If the Department of Local Government tells us we can't reveal de-identified information, then we should throw our hands in the air. PO Box 84, Port Macquarie NSW 2444. "In line with the Procedures for the Administration of the Code of Conduct Part 11, council is required to report annually the total number of code of conduct complaints made about councillors and the general manager under the code of conduct in the year to September," the statement said. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE. Contact us for any help on browser support. In some cases we need more information and request you contact us directly in these instances. Some content on this page may not display correctly. 49 High Street Wauchope NSW 2446. You can report most issues online. This is a robbery of $51,000 of community money by complaints that should never occur in a council, but they have," Cr Pinson said. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. "When one council is spending in excess of $200,000 in one year to simply deal with code of conduct complaints, serious questions must be asked," Mr Warren said. Be very wary of politicians sounding the youth crime alarm. For the latest COVID-19 news, updates and advice from the Australian Government, visit Australia.gov.au, Street Address: Port Macquarie Local Court, 22-26 Murray Street, Port Macquarie, Phone: 1300 352 000 (National Enquiry Centre). If a member of the public wishes to observe, or listen in to, an electronic hearing, please contact the Chambers of the presiding Judge or Registrar via email by 8.30am on the morning of the hearing. This is subject to a Judge or Registrars usual discretion to determine that in particular cases, only certain people should be present during the hearing, or that certain people are not to be present during the hearing. We're here to help! Customer Service. And it has raised the ire of some councillors who question the validity of the process and the intent of the complainants. "I'm horrified and our community should be too. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings and refresh the page. 10 0 obj The Port News has been at the heart of its community for more than 135 years. "These 14 complaints have cost us (council) $51,000. %PDF-1.7 What are the key differences between the old and new draft policies? We acknowledge the Birpai people, the traditional owners of the land in which we work and live, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. There are many benefits of making a complaint and telling someone about your problem. Home - Port Macquarie Hastings Council - Logo, Connecting to water (Section 305/307 compliance), Works & activities within a public road reserve, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community, Graffiti Management Mural Project - Stage 1 & 2, Building, construction & development forms. In 2018 there were two and in 2019, 14 complaints were lodged. We care about the protection of your data. "It's councils and their communities who are counting the cost of an ineffective and inefficient Model Code of Conduct.". Part 1: What is unreasonable conduct by a complainant? Send an email to council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au ; or Post your response to Customer Experience Feedback, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. We review the information you give us and decide what action to take. Contact us - Port Macquarie-Hastings Council David Crosbie. asbestos, chemicals in water) Figures released by the Office of Local Government (OLG) revealed that no complaints had been lodged against Bellingen Council but $64,019 had been spent dealing with Code of Conduct investigations. Policies Port Macquarie Hastings Council Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings and refresh the page. stream Confidentiality is important, but seriously I'm not told who lodged the complaint? % 7 0 obj "If we don't know, or can't analyse the inside of these complaints, we will never understand whether what is said is true.". Read our Privacy Policy. Access unlimited content, the digital versions of our print editions - Today's Paper, as well as the Newcastle Herald app. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders, past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the Birpai people, the traditional owners of the land in which we work and live, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Complaints can: increase the chance of getting a better outcome help others in similar situations