New Southern Downs Innovation and Development Committee under fire for lack of ‘transparency’ and budgetary strain

‘(It) could be considered as undermining democratically-elected members’: Councillor has drawn a line in the sand over plans to keep key details of the advisory committee and its movements secret.

UNDER FIRE: Current framework for a new innovation and development committee have been blasted by one Southern Downs councillor. Picture: file

Plans for a new Southern Downs Regional Council advisory committee have been blasted by one councillor who claims it brings a lack of transparency and unnecessary budget strain, and undermines democratic processes.

A draft terms of reference for the Southern Downs Innovation and Development Committee were tabled at Wednesday’s ordinary council meeting.

The report stated the committee would be both sponsored by and reporting to Mayor Vic Pennisi, assisting or providing him with advice on potential opportunities, challenges, or “other threats” in the region.

“The key overall objective of any local authority is to protect and improve … the community, and to encourage development across the public and private sector that is fit for purpose and sustainable,” it read.

“These are not simply matters for government itself, but must include the attraction, holding, and supporting of desirable and sustainable private investment.”

Six to eight members with strategic, corporate, or other specialist skills will form the committee on an honorary basis.

Cr Pennisi and Deputy Mayor Ross Bartley will be the only council representatives.

The report also stipulated that “meetings will be confidential and only agreed general notes will be taken and circulated”, with full meeting minutes to be released to SDRC “as appropriate”.

The closed-off meetings and lack of input from the wider council were two of the major sticking points for councillor Cynthia McDonald, who questioned why a council “looking to provide transparency” would keep meeting details secret.

Southern Downs councillor Cynthia McDonald, Member for Southern Downs James Lister and fellow councillor Stephen Tancred at a Stanthorpe event in 2019. Picture: file

“There’s no open selection process for the members, this could be considered to be favouring political allies and hence creating a perceived or actual conflict of interest,” she said.

“Unelected officials will be setting the agenda, not elected members … (which) could be considered as undermining democratically elected members who have been appointed by their constituents for their experience and qualifications.

“The Mayor is the first among equals, we’re not running the council by executive order of the Mayor or Deputy Mayor – thereby, any advisory role should be the entire council, from my perspective.”

Cr McDonald also queried how SDRC would fund approved meeting expenses.

“Not long ago ... I was conducting a reconnaissance trip on five different sites at saleyards. We didn’t even have, at that stage, the ability to finance a car for (the trip),” she added.

“(But) I believe the idea is credible and certainly has merit, and I can see there is a requirement for it.”

Neither the Mayor nor any other councillors responded to Cr McDonald’s impassioned plea, and she was the only representative to vote against the existing framework.

Fellow councillor Stephen Tancred briefly asked for clarification surrounding the SDIDC’s advisory role and meeting minutes, to which Cr Pennisi said what information was circulated and how could be subject to change, along with the committee’s structure.

The draft terms of reference will now be released to councillors for further input before finalisation.