port macquarie council complaints
Contact us for any help on browser support. << /Linearized 1 /L 53399 /H [ 736 147 ] /O 11 /E 50188 /N 1 /T 53153 >> Office of Local Government release Model Code of Conduct complaints investigations costs November 17 2021 - 3:00pm Council's all around NSW have seen a significant spike in the number of complaints and the cost to deal with them in the past two years. Some content on this page may not display correctly. IN the last two years, code of conduct complaints against council and councillors have cost Port Macquarie-Hastings ratepayers more than $51,000 in investigation expenses. "I agree with Cr Levido that in the great majority of cases complaints come from the community and not councillors and that there must be something done to make this a more reasonable and lawful process," Cr Intemann said. <>stream 8^:9may \$V@/]M#Tde)A< XzJ)]MbKe 9d}fLnxXO5uE50,D3CRnoe,3w7ssKtC]lN And it has raised the ire of some councillors who question the validity of the process and the intent of the complainants. Email Send us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. CfZE-n% Deputy mayor Cr Lisa Intemann said if there is no way to "de-identify" information without breaching the confidentiality clause of the code, then there is also no way of putting in place corrective measures to improve behaviour; or even determine if a person, or a group of people, are simply making spurious claims against a councillor. He also asked if council will inform him of the results of any complaints made against him. That was three months ago and I have heard nothing since. Ask a question, lodge a service request, report a local issue or provide feedback through an online form. the best way to lodge a complaint or a request for service (which is via our website). If the Department of Local Government tells us we can't reveal de-identified information, then we should throw our hands in the air. Recently we undertook a significant review of how we deliver service to our customers. asbestos, chemicals in water) Photo: File IT was a $64,000 question that amounted to nothing. These policies are available to download in the document library to the right (or below if viewing this page on a mobile device). << /Type /XRef /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 109 /W [ 1 2 1 ] /Index [ 7 29 ] k9Q4X\NJmF hC1l':nyz"U+A ]L\j>FeT4 o[.HR7 e'N\nB92I@EEi#i 5u-/x,:D1U(2[sjZ:gf)SZ`T+}#K7PRI?djgi[B"M&Q*O^f jhE Cr Intemann and Cr Geoff Hawkins requested the general manager make a representation to the Department of Local Government to consider strengthening how the code can be formally enforced, as well as how to provide more detail about the complaint so councils can analyse issues raised and put in place corrective measures if necessary. Home - Port Macquarie Hastings Council - Logo. "I consider that money has been taken away from important assets to our community. Access unlimited content, the digital versions of our print editions - Today's Paper, as well as the Newcastle Herald app. "Rr_NGvN"wV}?Tq1m[@b-e?gL!0~\[ 0ILF:.8QN8H$F} R\t]`9ILvg>)0fnym,2P{4:"knhd2~KmKMj?MDM S9HkW=Neb?ZQ841 *}igmRT|"h$R6p 7~'f6^FX' u=kMUg>o7*yKP &O@,jA:oj!9$iK7MI?v`XC_ yc3xqGxz{Z4,~8A phM2,$^v!YK_k>f'$K8_u 0'yr5~1 4!1R-P0VB\;]('q_c!$!vk?.Ig1GZFP>BKHQ3Grvn E_2e#,b\9S8 kmvfJ~7#Xfss@/XHQ]s^0meyi5=oDj9k?QtP1yW/>SK_ {I^S5J"V. <> Ph: 6581 8111, 17 Burrawan Street A customer request is when a customer rings or writes or fills out a request online to ask us to do something - like fix a road or ask for us to address some maintenance. Index; Crime Index: 36.13: Safety Index: 63.87: Crime rates in Port Macquarie, Australia. We acknowledge the Birpai people, the traditional owners of the land in which we work and live, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We support people with disability, Aboriginal peoples and have information in easy English and other languages. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, sea and community. "He wouldn't tell me what the complaints were or who made them. "If we can't have a de-identified analysis of those complaints we will never understand if those complaints are simply vexatious. "What I think is shocking and disgraceful is the process. Let us know your thoughts on Council's project and activities using our online community engagement hub, Have Your Say. You can report most issues online. PO Box 84, Port Macquarie NSW 2444. Confidentiality is important, but seriously I'm not told who lodged the complaint? HWAn$7+({=RLv,r%Hv>kyk~v[u=q_b7}.8#_`n\iulGZ2rC'2sACf8Ja-FG,G6>UPmXZ;qAB[OoI(pfI/~cw/">iFB('O2@y" 4_BW%l.?/n{.`h;KW:lTW%ej'D|k')J%LAlp`r'v&,#X K$>lMX;`vyH3~A9A:ERS6Qy%t0 n":kO:% 6xEx9Kg,Ib.1K`vc|K]DyD@S%S2;8=ki zoE*0]J)H Advertisement Ad Local News If you are unhappy with the way you've been treated by a NSW Government agency or community service provider, you can make a complaint. Our Minister for Local Government should have a look at the complaints, not just in our council and what is going on, but in other councils as well.". Level of crime: 34.81: Low: Crime increasing in the past 3 years: 64.25: High: Worries home broken and things stolen: 34.11: Low: Worries being mugged or robbed: Coffs Harbour City Council had five complaints and spent $9669 investigating; only one of the complaints was found to breach the Code of Conduct. the best way to lodge a complaint or a request for service (which is via our website). This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters. Bellingen Shire Council had a clean slate. 9 Laurie Street Laurieton NSW 2443. This is a robbery of $51,000 of community money by complaints that should never occur in a council, but they have," Cr Pinson said. Bellingen Shire Council was listed among councils across the state for expenditure on investigating complaints. Calls received outside of business hours are diverted to our after hours call centre. In 2016 and 2017, there were no code of conduct complaints for Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. "If the Department of Local Government tells us we can't reveal de-identified information, then we should throw our hands in the air.". HW[6Sc1r gndA%|l qX? Read our Privacy Policy. 9 0 obj "There is no doubt that some people use code of conducts as a way to score cheap political points at a significant cost to the council and their community. Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Port Macquarie NSW 2444. The new policy has new sections which detail the policy Principles, Responsibilities and now includes a Flowchart which depicts what happens we we receive a complaint and how it is managed. The draft Customer Complaints policy will be on exhibition from Wednesday 23 March - Friday 22 April and is available to view in the document library to the right (or below if viewing this page on a mobile device). %PDF-1.7 "Three months ago, I got a phone call from a gentleman telling me he was in investigator appointed by council to investigate complaints for breaching the code of conduct. <>stream <>stream "When one council is spending in excess of $200,000 in one year to simply deal with code of conduct complaints, serious questions must be asked," Mr Warren said. council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au Mail Reach us by posted mail. 7 0 obj This is subject to a Judge or Registrars usual discretion to determine that in particular cases, only certain people should be present during the hearing, or that certain people are not to be present during the hearing. Home - Port Macquarie Hastings Council - Logo, If your issue is not listed under any of the above topics, you can still, Type the characters you see in the image below, Connecting to water (Section 305/307 compliance), Works & activities within a public road reserve, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community, Graffiti Management Mural Project - Stage 1 & 2, Building, construction & development forms, hazardous pollution issues (e.g. A further report will be tabled at a future meeting of Council, detailing the submissions received from the public during the exhibition period. A Byabarra farmer has taken his complaints against Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's handling of its unsealed road network to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). Find information on our council, and their contact details. Copyright Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia 2022, Divorce, separation, children, finances and property and other family law matters, The Court can review some decisions made under the Migration Act 1958, Fair work, bankruptcy, admiralty, consumer law, administrative law, human rights, intellectual property, and other matters. Group Manager Customer Experience, Communications & Corporate Affairs, Draft Customer Complaints Policy (259 KB) (pdf), Customer Complaints Policy (Adopted December 2019) (66.5 KB) (pdf), Complaints handling flowchart (53.7 KB) (pdf), Policy Review - Draft Customer Complaints Policy, how we manage customer complaints and customer requests, the role of our Internal Ombudsman and the availability of internal review if you are not satisfied with the outcome of your complaint and to. endobj Public Interest disclosures also covers local government, Parliament, and also some private sector operators. We acknowledge the Birpai people, the traditional owners of the land in which we work and live, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. endobj We're here to help! If you have a story to share, email tracey.fairhurst@austcommunitymedia.com.au. I corrected it and advised of what I had actually said. David Crosbie. Byabarra farmer Steven Gates has lodged a complaint with the Independent Commission Against Corruption against Council over its level of services. 17 Burrawan Street Port Macquarie NSW 2444. asbestos, chemicals in water). Phone: 1300 352 000 (National Enquiry Centre) Hearings can be observed by any member of the public. Port Macquarie NSW 2444. We extend our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who choose to call Port Macquarie Hastings home. In 2018 there were two and in 2019, 14 complaints were lodged. This is subject to a Judge or Registrar's usual discretion to determine that in particular cases, only certain people should be present . We review the information you give us and decide what action to take. We extend our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who choose to call Port Macquarie Hastings home. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings and refresh the page. PO Box 84, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 Contact a Councillor Find information on our council, and their contact details. Make a call, email us, find the right form or visit the right webpage by clicking the buttons below. Access unlimited content, the digital versions of our print editions - Today's Paper, as well as the Newcastle Herald app. Compare Port Macquarie with: Do you live in Port Macquarie? ABN: 11 236 901 601 Bail granted to Mid North Coast man charged with selling drugs on dark web, Lehrmann defamation cases survive serious challenge, Two arrested during investigation into Gordon Street hit-and-run crash, Be very wary of politicians sounding the youth crime alarm, Police appeal for information following alleged hit-and-run, pursuit, $30m meth stuffed into duffel bags seized in NSW, 'Media frenzy': Why judge kept Lehrmann application secret, 'Beset by tension': Inquiry hears #MeToo movement likely affected Lehrmann case, Elderly pedestrian critical, police searching for Hilux that 'sped off', Terms and Conditions - Digital Subscription, Terms and Conditions - Newspaper Subscription. Learn more. We recognise, promote and protect the rights of individuals or organisations to make a complaint, and will respond to complaints in a timely and confidential manner. Nobody has come back and told me the result of that. Ph: 6581 8111, 17 Burrawan Street Reach our customer service team during business hours, Monday to Friday on (02) 6581 8111. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders, past, present and emerging. According to the data, Kempsey Shire Council had five Code of Conduct complaints and spent $1107 investigating, but none of the complaints were found to breach the Code. HWK719VUzf!>!vJ-f{,C?V=U&eq;%'^NTFM23wFd:'YauL'wo7)q&MYwUmDmI'U.~>{rS5!ll&8/>#u1HVQ;eV%"4+k,ZmIa7yc/1;ccsA~W7"$stdbsg{q"(1N9*!? A step-by-step guide to making a complaint. We can help people who have been unfairly treated by community services that are run or funded by the government. Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. endobj Not to be confused with customer requests, complaints tell us about customer dissatisfaction with either. "I'm horrified and our community should be too. Complaints can: You have a right to good services and fair treatment. Some content on this page may not display correctly. endstream Hd5(8p6asnh3;6rc^UgX IbYY"b hm$#%&Fbkao21v2q>V"[5feGG>:0E&i9Q[ao 4)-)GAx^adehd@ ge%){MS?,8gdu`A=~8skq%fG8qp0G^4z/K=A|64QJGAuXhz4qb6.=GLp~{b'auM]4[uX="^f&*p$ZEW7i |R?D M4zC>{kh'n8xWRqG@j Otu0\AadS4F6pdb{aGFt p\, Kc5m'n4V We care about the protection of your data. E: council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au Read our Privacy Policy. "What has escalated this? "A lot of time, effort and expense goes into investigating these complaints but the reality is the investigation often results in very little action taken. endobj A statement issued by Bellingen Shire Council confirmed this had been an administrative error. all the different ways you can get in touch with us. For the latest COVID-19 news, updates and advice from the Australian Government, visit Australia.gov.au, Street Address: Port Macquarie Local Court, 22-26 Murray Street, Port Macquarie, Phone: 1300 352 000 (National Enquiry Centre). Cr Justin Levido, who drew the spotlight on himself at the December council meeting, said the code of conduct procedure is "an absolute disgrace". Type the characters you see in the image below, Connecting to water (Section 305/307 compliance), Works & activities within a public road reserve, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community, Graffiti Management Mural Project - Stage 1 & 2, Building, construction & development forms. . You have a right to complain about the services you get. Find us at one of our customer service centres. breaking and regular headlines newsletters, 'Exceptional year': flying fox numbers skyrocket at Port Macquarie camp, Enfield tops the local charge, but not by enough to take out Junior Surf Pro, Surf, skate and music attracts thousands to fundraising festival, Tale of two halves, Pirates brilliant in the first, ordinary in the second, Pop culture characters take centre stage at Cosplay event, 'Clover's Law': Timbertown doubles down on no dog policy after pet's death, Terms and Conditions - Digital Subscription, Terms and Conditions - Newspaper Subscription. We acknowledge the Birpai people, the traditional owners of the land in which we work and live, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. What are the key differences between the old and new draft policies? endobj We are publicly exhibiting the Customer Experience Policy, Customer Complaint Policy and Draft Unreasonable Customer Conduct Policy so that any member of the public can provide feedback on any or all of the policies between Friday, 23 October 2020 to Friday, 20 November 2020. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. Add data for Port Macquarie. Georges River Council spent more than $201,000 investigating 17 complaints of which only three breached the Code. We live in an environment where anonymous people can make complaints - what can you do about it. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We can help you make a complaint. /Root 9 0 R Customer Service. If a member of the public wishes to observe, or listen in to, an electronic hearing, please contact the Chambers of the presiding Judge or Registrar via email by 8.30am on the morning of the hearing. x[hgvmP,i " rX6,+&w\:"wS_6z9b@hyO]K7=EHzshy4]Xii]LBXL#wb-uWr[g#tx,kj,-a]L:j:2eVdO4M QBdL/Ws5l/q68>T"B#WVA -\f1q@#N9K?r9`U@GI,q$X0cD%#=Y#A' One of them was justified to the extent it has been referred to someone else, one was knocked out at the beginning and 12 more have been investigated and found there was nothing to them," Cr Intemann said. Port Macquarie court list. "These 14 complaints have cost us (council) $51,000. I don't know who lodged them (the complaints) or what is going on. Cr Levido asked general manager Craig Swift-McNair directly if he could confirm how many complaints were made against him, the results of any investigations against him as a councillor and whether there had been any breach of his duties identified. In some cases we need more information and request you contact us directly in these instances. endstream Two arrested during investigation into Gordon Street hit-and-run crash. zBEO0} F1a^\*Gk d5H*OxdqdZMU4bs$El"d-MVL[. :5m x <2>(|m!,..NO1yr?FI ShV0CR6!pgKS@:nki`J_\ec"qJ|qMQpq]@0AnxA0WF \=9}H!c|U'heuNV=02XB,S%1 oz Y$FK),k&%A6Z$'v1:+KN+sUu9~P8)#/gp$5cT78q( }_cY3SZBi&bei4Er8Amb\,"Lt[PQk.^kP{c8>&wK:EA05%WUMdsgdPk% /hXeM.J6Vh_r""8T"f04j1SyTbwYc5Q4%6zsV2n1kd %'|gE{5Wwk_lSFeAg6?QLW(Wg.S^tS!`!~sTtg^o{.Q\ [y!R.1$YS!yGIg
