Remember back to the local government election which initiated the Toowoomba Regional Council. It seemed then that voters, particularly those in the City of Toowoomba, had taken hold of the concept of Regional Govrenment. Voters literally voided their City Councillors leaving only Joe Ramia and electing former financial planner Peter Marks.
However, the natives of Milmeran, represented by Cr Paul Antonia, Milmerran’s former mayor and now TRC’s deputy Mayor, are now very restless. They feel neglected.
This led to the recent outburst in The Chronicle claiming councillors were after the scalp of TRC’s chief executive officer. This report turned out to be rubbish, with all councillors signing statutory declarations this had not happened.
Only Milmerran is openly disgruntled. Cambooya, Jondaryan. Crows Nest, Clifton, Pittsworth and Rosalie seem either content or resigned. The citizens of Toowoomba are quiescent.
It fell to Cambooya’s former Mayor Carol Taylor, and now chair of the giant Emgineering Services Portfolio to teach the TRC Boys Club something of regional statemanship. In a courageous letter to The Chronicle, Cr Taylor laid it on the line to the restless natives of Milmerran:
“To be successful, Toowoomba Regional Council must be a partnership between the community, councillors and staff across the region. Despite recent negative press, the reality is that council staff are working very hard to ensure the success of this council
.
“Projects that were previously planned for each of the former shires are being carried forward and in many cases are being enhances through improved efficiencies of scale and knowledge sharing.”
It is a good, optimistic and encouraging letter, Mayor Peter Taylor should be very grateful there’s another Taylor backing him up. TRC should put her letter prominently on its website.
The nigger in the TRC woodpile in fact has little to do with council itself. If you don’t have a regional newspaper that itself helps the regional community come together and vigorously reports council’s deliberations and activities, of course achieving regional cohesion will be slow and difficult.
It’s anybody’s guess why The Chronicle doesn’t consider this a compelling obligation to its community.
Perhaps the whole regional concept would sit more easily with Paul Antonio if council’s name was changed to Milmerran Regional Council. If The Chronicle didn’t report it, nobody would know enough to object.
Toowoomba and Darling Downs political and social commentary. Print copies of this newsletter may be ordered from Toowoomba's Office Works, phone 4699-5300
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Hugh Bingham
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About Hugh Bingham
Bingham is a career journalist with experience in State and Federal politics. He has been Editor of the Sunday Truth, the Sydney Sunday Mirror, Associate Editor of the Sydney Daily Mirror, and has reported overseas for The Australian.
In retirement he turned farmer in the Felton Valley, near Toowoomba, breeding Appaloosas and winning best foal and filly at the 1992 State championships.
Now 80, Bingham takes a keen interest in current affairs, especially politics and social issues. Bingham has tutored U3A groups as diverse as poetry, memoir writing, and classical music.
In retirement he turned farmer in the Felton Valley, near Toowoomba, breeding Appaloosas and winning best foal and filly at the 1992 State championships.
Now 80, Bingham takes a keen interest in current affairs, especially politics and social issues. Bingham has tutored U3A groups as diverse as poetry, memoir writing, and classical music.
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