Penrith Councillor calls for councils to stand up to State Government
Penrith councillor Kevin Crameri has called for council to “shirt front” the State Government on the IPART review.
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Penrith councillor Kevin Crameri has called for council to “shirt front” the State Government on the IPART review.
During Monday night’s council meeting Cr Crameri submitted a question without notice regarding the independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) review into the state’s rating system.
The report was handed to the State Government in December 2016, yet the details are yet to be released.
The review targets how council rates are set in NSW.
Cr Crameri said the report and its recommendations could have significant benefits to Penrith residents and questioned the delay by the State Government.
“We complained about it before the State Election and they said it is a very important thing and needs to be gone through in detail,” Mr Crameri said.
“It is now up to the Minister for Planning, Minister for Local Government, and the Premier to get off their bums and implement the report.”
The Office of Local Government said the report is being assessed and will be released at a later date.
Cr Crameri said the delay is part of the State Government removing council’s power.
He said councils need to have “intestinal fortitude”.
“We need to shirt front the State Government … nothing will change unless councillors are prepared to get off their butts and do something, if we just sit back and accept it all we are going to be there for is ceremonies and nothing else.”
Mayor Ross Fowler said he has no idea the reason behind the hold up, but said there was no reason to “shirt front” the government.
“It is a load of bull dust,” Cr Fowler said. “We have sent letters about it.
“Council can’t influence it, the real body that should be influencing it is the Local Government Association.”
Labor Deputy Mayor Greg Davies echoed the Mayor’s comments, agreeing the council cannot influence the release of the report and it is now up to the State Government.
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