BALLARAT’S councillor-elect, Glen Crompton, made all the right noises following the electoral recount on Monday.
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Mr Crompton will fill the position vacated by former mayor John Burt on a council which has been wracked by controversy in recent months.
Despite the protestations, the controversy has been self-fulfilling – and it’s all been about politics.
Greens member Cr Belinda Coates put it on the record in a recent article published in The Courier that there is a Liberal Party-affiliated bloc operating on the council.
Almost in the same breath, Cr Coates has put up motions regarding the council’s position on state and federal levels, clearly to define the political division.
It’s only been a few weeks since Cr Des Hudson, a Labor Party member, and Cr John Philips suggested last year’s mayor election – which saw Josh Morris ascend to the top job – was politically motivated. It’s all happening within earshot of the state election campaign where three marginal seats could swing the state result one way or the other.
For all this, Mr Crompton has the ability to be the circuit-breaker – and laid bare his intentions when discussing his election with the media on Monday: “I am there to facilitate what the community and the central ward ratepayers want as best you ever can.”
He, like all councillors, will be judged on not what he says but what he does.
The Courier is heartened that he has identified the Civic Hall and relocation of the saleyards as major issues.
The current council has repeatedly shirked responsibility on these important projects, amplifying the mistakes of years gone by. We hope that Mr Crompton’s election will provide an opportunity to recast the local discussion.
The council’s highly reactionary approach to conversation on important issues with its constituents has only served to rankle those who watch their decision-making closely.
This was a factor in the departure of Cr Burt and was be a consideration within the circumstances which will exist with Mr Crompton’s election.
Let’s hope the council can now refocus on what is important, which is building a better Ballarat.