Georges River Council appoints former Kogarah and Hurstville councillors to Implementation Advisory Committee

Seven former Kogarah councillors and five former Hurstville councillors make up the IAC which will provide feedback and advice to the Administrator John Rayner and General Manager Gail Connolly on the implementation of Georges River Council.

The committee members are: Stephen Agius (formerly Kogarah Council), Rita Kastanias (Hurstville), Nick Katris (Kogarah), George Katsabaris (Kogarah), Kathryn Landsberry (Kogarah), Nancy Liu (Hurstville), Lachlan McLean (Kogarah), Michael Platt (Kogarah), Philip Sansom (Hurstville), Dominic Sin (Hurstville), Nathaniel Smith, (Kogarah), and Michelle Stevens (Hurstville).

The committee members were handpicked by Mr Rayner.

He said the selection was based partly on submissions by the former councillors.

“There was a range of considerations and I was looking for a well-balanced and representative team,” he said.

But former Hurstville councillor Justin Mining said he felt councillors who had opposed amalgamation had been locked out of the committee.

"I fear that political considerations may have played a part in how councillors have been selected for the committee,” Mr Mining said.

"Vocal opponents of the amalgamation from Hurstville Council, including myself, have now been locked out of the process,’’ he said.

"Out of the five elected Labor Councillors from Hurstville Council, only (former councillor) Dominic Sin has been hand picked by Mr Rayner, and he was strongly supportive of the amalgamation.

"This committee should represent a broad range of views, including those who have argued against the amalgamation.

"Councillors should not be excluded just because they took a stand against the Government and its forced amalgamation.

“The fact that local Liberal MP Mark Coure knew about the appointments before the councillors themselves also raises question marks about this whole process.’’

Mr Coure said some of the successful committee appointees had phoned him first.

“So once I heard  who had had been selected I wanted to phone them and congratulate them, whether they were Liberal or Labor,’’ he said.

“Regardless of whether they Liberal, Labor or independent leaning we are all working together to get on with the job of building the local infrastructure and ensuring we have the best roads, parks, amenities and sporting fields for our community.

‘’This is a new era for local government and we want to make sure that council is there looking after the ratepayers and working for the community.’’

Mr Rayner would not comment on the selection process.

Other former Councillors have been offered roles in Council's Advisory Committees such as the Community Development and Services Advisory Committee and the newly established Economic Development Advisory Committee.

The Implementation Advisory Committee will meet every two months.

“But if other matters arise I will call them together as needed,’’ Mr Rayner said.

The fees paid to the committee members has yet to be determined.

“I have asked the committee members to advise me what they believe is a fair compensation for the time they will commit and also a compensation that meets community expectations.’’

Mr Rayner said the committee will provide a depth of knowledge to himself and the general manager on the implementation of Georges River Council.

“The Implementation Advisory Committee will provide advice on policies, strategies and priorities,” Mr Rayner said.

“Many tasks associated with establishing the new organisation are the responsibility of the General Manager Gail Connolly," he said.

“She has responsibility for establishing its structure, ensuring the right staff are appointed and integrating Council services.

“The IAC will be involved in discussions such as where the Head Office should be located, branding and aspects of the Operational Plan for 2017-18.”

For more information, contact Council on 9330 6400 or visit Council’s website at www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au.