Council cuts

RED tape, claimed to be choking volunteerism, has been slashed in the hope more residents will put their hands up to help.
Cardinia Shire Council agreed to wind back regulations requiring people who served on township committees to declare their interests and those of their partners.
The regulations, which bound volunteers to make similar disclosures as councillors, were introduced last year as a ‘good governance’ measure because it was felt township committees were in a position of influence.
But they created unrest in the community and were claimed to be factors in the folding of township committees at Bunyip and Garfield.
Cr Ed Chatwin, a vocal critic at the time the changes were introduced, lost little time after his election to have them rolled back.
Cr Chatwin led debate on the issue at council’s 23 January meeting, asking council to make township committee members exempt.
Cr Chatwin claimed the regulations were “onerous”. He said they dissuaded people from wanting to be part of what was the “first tier” of local government.
“The requirements, as they currently stand, are too penalising and not in tune with the voluntary nature of township committees,” he said.
The Ranges Ward representative was supported by colleagues, including Cr Bill Pearson.
“It’s hard enough to get volunteers today; all our volunteers are getting older,” Cr Pearson said. But Cardinia’s longest serving councillor Graeme Legge said he was torn by the move.
Cr Legge said the previous council felt it was appropriate to create this requirement and believed that full disclosure of interests was a part of open and transparent governance.
Cr Legge did not think the requirements were overly harsh. “I can’t believe filling in a form can really be onerous,” he said.
Cr Chatwin said township committees were only advisory bodies. “They have very limited powers — if any. Decisions are the responsibility of council,” he said.