That inability to get along reached a crescendo on Tuesday evening with the dumping of Cr Andrew Guile from an important position he has held for the six years, representing the city on transport infrastructure issues.

Only recently, he was elected as deputy chairman of the South East Australia Transport Strategy, a lobby group that pushes for federal and state funding to improve transport links in NSW and Victoria. That made him a powerful presence in Canberra and Sydney advocating for our city. 

However, ongoing enmity between Cr Guile and Shoalhaven Mayor Joanna Gash has resulted in him voted out of the position and replaced with an inexperienced junior Team Gash councillor. This is not a smart move because it takes a strong voice out of the halls of power where it needs to be heard. The move is made even more surprising given that council previously voted unanimously to commend Cr Guile for his work on SEATS. 

Reports from other councillors who were at Tuesday night’s hostile meeting suggest Cr Guile was removed because he is a regular critic of council policy, one of the few voices that questions the majority policies. He is not right on every occasion. But he has every right to ask questions and raise objections – that is a function of democracy.

And in Cr Guile doing that, the city should not be deprived of experience and expertise just because he doesn’t toe some party line.