Unreasonable complainant status “dystopian”

Bunjil Place. City of Casey. (File: 429633)

Casey complaints register

What sort of dystopian world are we living in when our local Casey Council has an Unreasonable Complainant Conduct Register! (Star news “What is Unreasonable” 7 August).

I read with alarm the article about the treatment of Jillian, a concerned citizen trying to raise issues with Casey Council.

She was placed under this UCC register after having the temerity to contact the councillors and council executive five times in a week.

Perhaps her repeated emails (which appear to have been perfectly reasonable) indicate a lack of response from her elected representatives and staff.

I can sympathise with her frustration.

After all, don’t we all want to be heard!

I served as a local councillor in the 90’s in another area of Melbourne.

I constantly received, and responded to calls and requests from local constituents.

That was what I had signed up for.

In those days we received a stipend of $2,000.

It’s a lot more now and local councillors should be available and responsive, and council meetings should be a forum for listening to local resident’s concerns in a respectful and democratic manner.

Jillian, I share your frustration and on your behalf feel outraged by this Unreasonable Revolting Register.

Margaret Edwards, Berwick