Aspirations not met by economy working group

Economy, growth working group disbanded

In further efficiency savings, Gunnedah councillors voted to dissolve the Economy and Growth Working Group.

This group replaced the former Economic Development Working Group and Skills and Training Working Group. According to council, it worked to identify barriers, and advocate for resources and solutions to address sustainable economic growth and innovation along with continuous workforce development.

The motion to discontinue was raised by Cr Robert Hoddle who believed the group did not live up to its terms of reference.

“It does not come up with the results you would expect,” he said.

Cr Hoddle said the group “lacks purpose” and did not provide value for council.

“It doesn’t seem to achieve a lot,” he said. “It’s one area we can put aside.”

The move to dissolve the group was supported by Cr Ann Luke who was a member several years earlier.

“It has not been easy meeting the aspirations of that working group,” Cr Luke said.

Councillor Hoddle’s motion was challenged by several in the council chambers including Cr Cameron Moore.

“I’m not sure if it’s saving money or taking away functionality,” he said.

Cr Moore alluded the dissolution of the Business Partner Program earlier in the council meeting.

“It’s a bad look to kill two programs in one go,” he said.

“It sends a bad message [to the community].”

Councillors Tammey McAllan and Juliana McArthur also spoke against disbanding the working group.

Cr McArthur said at a time when council was seeking more input from the community about various issues, this move would take away a group forum where people could question council directly. The councillor argued that the group’s dissolution would force people to seek answers on an individual basis instead.

“Is that not less efficient?” Cr McArthur enquired.