Pool vote information 'inadequate' (#829)

Voting in the pool referendum will close today.  Postal votes must be postmarked no later than 4pm on 5 April.  Judging from last week’s “Information Evening” arranged by Council, the information supplied by Council was both untimely and inadequate.  

For fear of initiating debate, DACCI was not allowed to clarify its plans or comment or correct any misunderstandings although other audience members were allowed to make statements.  The following typifies the questions and the answers - provided mostly by the CEO or the Shire President. 

Q: Why didn’t this Information Evening take place before the ballot papers were distributed?
A: There wasn’t time!  In retrospect it would have been better to do so.

Q: What proportion of voters actually live in Denmark Shire?
A: Only those who pay rates directly to Council may vote.  About 43% of ratepayers are non-resident.

Q: Tenants also pay rates indirectly as a component of their rent.   As residents who would use the pool, why have they been excluded?
A: This was a Council decision.

Q: Will Council confirm that the sum of $534,000, referred to as “running costs” in the referendum documents, is based on old technology and that a professional analysis shows modern energy options should result in an annual saving of at least $70,000? 
A: Yes.  However, the analysis was not formally available to staff when the referendum documents were finalised.

Q: Will Council confirm that the professional Feasibility Study recommended a more realistic projection of user participation that would improve annual revenue by about $100k.  This, together with the $70k mentioned earlier, would reduce the required subsidy to a more affordable $364k (7.8%).
A: Yes … and such a participation rate would match the Albany experience.  However, Council needs to take a conservative view.

Q: Can the community trust Council Staff to pursue grant applications with enthusiasm and energy should Council decide to proceed?
A: Yes.  Council staff like big projects and can relied upon to excel. 

Q: What response rate will Council need in order to feel that the referendum outcome represents the views of the community?
A: Indications look good … the Shire has already received about 1,000 votes.  [CG1] The Shire President declared he would encourage Council to proceed if the vote was 51 to 49 in favour.  Individual Councillors will vote as they see fit. 

Q: Has Council taken the community health benefits into account?
A: They are recognised … but dollars saved on the nation’s health bill are not directly relevant to Council.

Q: What was the rate increase required to support the Recreation Centre in its early years?
A: Around 23%  - twice that proposed here!

VOTE YES TO TODAY’S VISION TOO!  YOU STILL HAVE TIME!

Cyril Edwards, Vice President, DACCI.

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