Better Connected Decision-Makers

Far North Mayoral Candidate, Laurie Byers, today outlined his plans to introduce a series of advisory boards to enhance the quality of Council decision making and planning.

My Byers said, “To make quality decisions about our District, Council needs to have an accurate and detailed understanding of the workings of all sectors of the District’s economy, and what people are working at on the ground.”

“While there are Councillors who have an understanding of certain sectors of our economy, there is no guarantee that collectively the Council knows enough about what is happening in our key economic sectors when we make decisions, and it would be very arrogant for us to assume that we did.”

“If I am given the privilege of representing our District as Mayor I will fix this issue by introducing a series of advisory groups.”

“Council is currently very well briefed on tourism. We make a significant investment in the sector, and in return we receive regular briefings on what is happening in the industry and its markets. I am not convinced, though, that the same level of information is being communicated to Council about the other key sectors of our economy, and in particular the primary industries.”

“It is my intention to establish industry advisory groups for both the agriculture and horticulture sectors. These groups will meet with Council staff to develop a briefing which they will deliver to Council quarterly. This will enable these key sectors to tell us about the trends their industry is experiencing, the issues and challenges they face, and what Council can do to assist their development.”

“I also intend to set-up a general business advisory group, with representatives from across our economy’s sectors. This was an idea that came out of the 2006 Far North Local Economic Development Strategy but hasn’t been carried through with. This group will provide Council with an invaluable sounding board when considering policy, as well as helping us keep our fingers on the pulse.”

“I will also introduce a youth advisory group so that Council, which is full of people a long way removed from youthful age, can gain a better understanding of the aspirations and expectations of our young people.”

“This was an initiative that came out of the previous Council’s Social Development Plan, and work had commenced on how we might make it happen, before the Value for Ratepayers team canned the whole plan.”

“Many of the decisions Council makes impact directly on our youth and receiving regular advice from a youth perspective can only improve our decision-making.”

“I have never pretended that I have all the answers and have always understood the importance of listening to, and taking advice from those at the coal face. I believe the advisory groups I am proposing will result in a better connected, more informed Council, capable of a higher quality of decision making. This can only be good for our wonderful place”, Mr Byers said.

ENDS