IN recent weeks, Councillor Mark Kitchener has disparagingly aired his views regarding council policy and activities in various letters to the editor. Surprisingly, he is also on record as expressing opinions which directly contradict his whingeing on such matters as improvements to the CBD of Nowra and council’s recently amended hardship policy.
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In relation to the Nowra CBD, for example, he wrote (Milton Ulladulla Times, August 8): “Councillors should examine all strategies like the wanton waste of money spent in and around Nowra …”
Only 10 days later the inveterate conference-going Cr Kitchener submitted a report to council on The International Cities Town Centres and Communities Conference which stated: “As a result of the strategies implemented by council and residents, Nowra CBD is looking the best it has looked for many years. This indicates the Shoalhaven City Council along with business owners and the local community is successfully implementing strategies that are having a positive impact on revitalising the precinct.”
Playing politics, or a change of heart?
Similarly, council recently considered amending its hardship policy by removing a provision enabling long-term deferral of rates, subject to (often excessive) interest accruing on the outstanding debt. When a motion was moved to retain council’s old policy and reject the amendment, Cr Kitchener voted against it. Two weeks later, when the new, amended policy came to full council for adoption, he voted against that too. Didn’t like the old policy; doesn’t like the new policy; doesn’t have a policy.
What a joke.
J. Gash,
Mayor,
Shoalhaven City Council.
