Lismore councillors sworn in during first meeting of 2022

New councillors were sworn in and familiar faces returned in Lismore City Council’s first meeting of the new term. Here are some of the changes they have already made.

Lismore City Council mayor Steve Krieg and newly-elected deputy mayor Peter Colby.

A new councillor has pushed for an IT rule to be changed to save money, while supporting the prospect of a future by-election which would cost Lismore City Council tens of thousands of dollars.

Steve Krieg chaired his first meeting as mayor and all councillors were sworn in on Tuesday evening.

Mr Krieg was joined by fellow new councillors Peter Colby, Jeri Hall, Andrew Gordon, Electra Jensen, Andrew Bing and Big Rob.

Returning to the fold were former mayor Vanessa Ekins, Darlene Cook, Elly Bird and Adam Guise.

Mr Colby and Ms Cook were nominated for the position of deputy mayor, which Mr Colby won through a 7-4 vote in which he was supported by all newcomers.

The new Lismore City Council cohort has been sworn in. From left rear: Peter Colby, Big Rob, Andrew Bing, Vanessa Ekins, Andrew Gordon, Adam Guise. Front row: Elly Bird, Jeri Hall, Mayor Steve Krieg, Electra Jensen and Darlene Cook.

Councillor says IT rule change would save money

Mr Rob led the new council’s first debates starting with an urgency motion on an information technology issue.

He sought to be granted access to the council’s information technology network, including confidential information, via his personal devices.

He explained he had “various reasons” for declining a council-issued laptop.

“One of the main reasons I didn’t want to take a laptop is the cost to ratepayers,” he said.

“I’m trying to avoid any unnecessary cost.”

Health issues were also a factor in his request, he said.

“That’s put me at a disadvantage with accessing information,” Mr Rob said.

He asked for all councillors to be allowed to access those services through their own devices.

“It’s very difficult to do council business without access to council’s materials,” he said.

Newly elected Lismore City councillor Big Rob.

He said without digital access to necessary documents, he was required to print out large amounts of material at a cost to the council.

Councillor Darlene Cook queried whether there would be security issues with granting Mr Rob’s request.

The council’s general manager Michael Donnelly said cyber security and remote access to information were among issued identified in a previous security audit.

“No councillor is being denied access to anything,” Mr Donnelly said.

“It’s a choice that councillors are making by not using the council-issued device.

“In real terms no money is saved by not using a council device.”

Ultimately Mr Rob’s motion was carried with Mr Krieg, Ms Hall, Ms Jensen, Mr Bing, Mr Colby and Mr Guise supporting him.

Councillors debate value of by-election

Voters are greeted at Lismore High School during the December election.

Mr Rob was however not put off by the cost implications of a future by-election, should any councillors leave their role within the first portion of the term.

The council’s staff had recommended that any casual vacancies within the first 18 months of the term should be filled by way of a vote “countback”.

That process would consider the candidates who were next in line but were not elected in December.

Mr Rob asked for a by-election to the preferred process instead.

“It’s only going to be (possible within) 14 months … because the last 18 months we’re not allowed to go to a by-election,” Mr Rob said.

Councillor Elly Bird did not want to see the council bear the cost of a potential future by-election.

“If something does happen I think it should go back to the voters to decide instead of letting the preference deals that were done by everyone decide the outcome.

“I believe if it goes back to a countback, after the preferences have been run … I don’t think the results are in line with the way the community has voted.

“I know it’s going to be expensive but I hope all councillors stay.”

A council staff member confirmed the recent election cost Lismore City Council $400,000 while a by-election would set them back a minimum of $50,000 to $60,000.

Mr Guise opposed the by-election route.

Lismore councillor Adam Guise.

“The community does not like it,” Mr Guise said.

“It’s a huge expense.

“It makes sense that a countback would be the best way to determine a councillor if there’s a casual vacancy.”

Ms Bird stressed a councillor’s sudden departure was “not always by personal choice”.

“We don't know what might happen in a councillor’s life,” she said.

“Should something unimaginable happen to one of us we don’t necessarily want to have to go to a by-election.”

Councillors Guise, Ekins, Bird and Cook voted for a countback to be used but this was opposed by all seven newcomers.

In the lack of a formal decision, the council defaulted back to using a by-election if needed.