The Shoalhaven City Council (SCC) caretaker period will now start a month out from the council election which has been postponed to December 4.
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But with David Grace, Labor's mayoral candidate for the Eurobodalla Shire Council calling for Eurobodalla to be immediately put into caretaker mode, how would a longer caretaker period affect residents in the Shoalhaven if it were to occur?
And what even is a caretaker period in local government?
Councils assume a caretaker role during election periods to ensure that major decisions are not made which would limit the actions of an incoming council.
The caretaker period for councils in NSW is set out in the Local Government Act and during that time, councils must not do the following things:
- Enter into any contract or undertaking involving an expenditure or receipt by the council of an amount equal to one per cent of the council's revenue from rates in the preceding financial year (the one per cent amount equates to $799,999 for the Shoalhaven).
- Determine a "controversial development application", except where a failure to make a determination would give rise to a deemed refusal.
- Appoint or reappoint a general manager, except temporarily.
Other decisions and usual activities in council continue during caretaker period under delegated authorities.
A Shoalhaven City Council spokesperson said the new caretaker period will have no impact on ratepayers for the most part.
Caretaker period does not result in further council expenditure as it occurs in line with the council's adopted budget.
"The caretaker period effectively creates a window where decision making on major tenders and projects by council cannot occur," said the SCC spokesperson.
"This means that project plans for some major projects will be adjusted or extended over this period, however staff will coordinate tasks to continue to deliver on council's operational plan and strategic goals."
So why would a Eurobodalla mayoral candidate want caretaker mode to begin now - about four months out from an election?
Mr Grace said it was because he was concerned the new council election date offered even more time to be used by council to determine a controversial development application, make a quick land sale, or enter into a substantial contract to which a new mayor and councillors would be bound.
"The next council needs to have the freedom to make its own decisions, and having this council bind the new council's hands is ignoring the will of the people," Mr Grace said.
Whatever the case, Shoalhaven mayor Amanda Findley says the postponed election will make the December and January period unprecedentedly busy for staff as they will need to induct new councillors during what is normally a quieter period in the lead up to the summer holidays.
According to the SCC spokesperson, any amendment to the caretaker period would be considered by the state parliament, ideally well in advance of the next election. This would allow council to pre-plan.
"Depending upon the details of extension either in timeframe or scope, there may be challenges for councils in achieving usual project delivery in a year where there is an election planned," the spokesperson said.