Mayor Glen Hartwig defends latest Rattler secrecy

Gympie’s Mayor has denied suggestions his council has regressed on transparency following criticism over three items, including one on the Rattler, being discussed behind closed doors

Mayor Glen Hartwig says the decsion to discuss the latest Rattler financial report behind closed doors, a move criticised by Councillor Dan Stewart, was done as a matter of respect to the heritage train’s managers.

The decision to discuss items including the Mary Valley Rattler’s latest quarterly report behind closed doors at Gympie Regional Council’s latest meeting has been defended by Mayor Glen Hartwig as a matter of respect to the heritage train’s managing committee.

Councillor Dan Stewart criticised the choice earlier this week, saying on social media he felt none of the three items needed to be discussed behind closed doors.

The items included the Rattler’s financial report, an item on a proposed expansion of a council-owned site adjoining Noosa and Hall Roads, and and one relating to a pathway at Mellor Street.

“I think, as a matter of respect to that committee, they had put on confidential and until we could be assured they were comfortable with it being made available to the public we should out of respect honour that request,” Mr Hartwig said.

Councillor Dan Stewart says none of the three items discussed behind closed doors at last week’s meeting, including the Rattler’s report, needed to be done handled that way. Photo Renee Albrecht/Gympie Times

However, a previous quarterly report on the Rattler’s financials at the December 2020 meeting was held in open committee rather than behind closed doors.

Mr Hartwig denied the suggestion it wa a sign the council was slipping backwards on its commitment to greater transparency.

“I think we have shown in this council that we pass on every possible piece of information to the community that we can, whenever we can, but the decision to keep the Rattler documentation in committee was based around ensuring we showed respect... to ensure the relationship is amicable moving forward.”

The Rattler’s quarterly report was discussed in open council in December last year.

The council voted unanimously to accept the Rattler’s report but “raises concerns around the information contained in the report”, the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting state.

As to Mr Stewart’s views these items did not need to be in committee, Mr Hartwig said it simply came down to personal opinion and welcomed them.

“This council encourages that discussion; there is no push back from the councillors as a group to require conformity,” he said.

“Dan has been free to express his opinion, we always encourage our councillors to express their opinion and whilst it may not be the view of the majority I think that’s what makes a good council - there is disagreement at some times.”

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