MEDIA RELEASES


LETTER GTO THE PREMIER

From: Ray Norman <raynorman7250@bigpond.com>
Date: Tuesday, 31 March 2020 at 2:51 pm
To: Premier Gutwein <peter.gutwein@parliament.tas.gov.au>
Cc: "Shelton, Minister (DPaC)" <Minister.Shelton@dpac.tas.gov.au>, Elise Archer MP <elise.archer@parliament.tas.gov.au>
Subject: COMMUNITY DISTRESS AND ALARM IN LAUNCESTON

Dear Premier,

Firstly, let me on my own part and on behalf of growing number of citizens bringing their concerns to me regarding ‘local governance’, congratulate you for what you are doing on your ‘constituency behalf’ and for their protection!

It is very much appreciated and your early recognition of the dimension this COVID-19 Crisis is exemplary and it will not be forgotten.

That said, I write to ask you and Minister Shelton to intercede and ensure that the City of Launceston’s Councillors are NOT permitted to ‘abdicate and devolve’ all authority, indeed any authority at all, to the GM (AKA CEO). 

Under SECTION 62/2 of the Local Govt. Act 1993 GMs, as you are no doubt well aware, a GM “may do anything necessary or convenient to perform his or her functions under this or any other Act”. There are already examples of this happening in Launceston and in questionable circumstances.

Furthermore, it is being proposed, apparently, that future meetings will be, functionally(?), in camera AND well away from the public gaze. Inappropriately, this is apparently being proposed given the COVID-19 Crisis thus putting aside considerations of accountability and transparency. Und the prevailing COVID-19 Crisis the converse not only should be the case, it must be. This is not the time to forego either accountability nor transparency!

If Council DOES decide to take actions being flagged to me a number of things should happen:
  • Firstly, Councillors must forego their ‘Council Allowances’ and forthwith;
  • The Minister needs to intercede and appoint a Commissioner and forthwith; an
  • The Minister needs to initiate ‘community engagement strategies’ to ensure that the citizenry’s interests are best served not only during this COVID-19 Crisis but going forward.

On behalf of all those contacting me and asking to “tell someone what needs to and should be done”, let me say we are looking for the level of leadership that you are already delivering ‘in spades’!

Yours sincerely,

Ray Norman

Ray Norman
<zingHOUSEunlimited>
“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody 
ought not to be trusted by anybody.” Thomas Paine
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept” David Morrison
https://raynormanadvocate.blogspot.com/

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Whilst Barry Campbell’s letter today will not strike a chord with the elected representatives on Tasmania’s 29 councils he is right on the money when he characterises all this as “horse and buggy governance”.

 Increasingly, people like him are calling for fundamental change in Tasmania’s local governance. More strength to their elbows.

 Clearly, Tasmania’s local governance model has passed its use-by-date, is redundant and is in urgent need of fundamental change.

 Moreover, imagining that in this current COVID-19 crisis that the clock can be stopped and rewound to tick away again in the same old, same old, way is nothing short of buffoonery.

 Ronald Regan alerted the world to the imprudence in embracing the status quo when told us that “it is Latin for the mess we are in.”

 Ratepayers and citizens generally should now be banging on our elected representatives’ doors demanding accountability, transparency and most of all fundamental change.
After that they should be having strong words with appropriate people in the State Government expressing the urgency given the current circumstances.
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Subject: RE: URGENT LETTER TO MAYOR & COUNCILLORS
Date: Friday, 20 March 2020 at 1:10 pm

Dear Albert,

Thank you for email and the information that you have provided and are providing to others! It is welcomed and wholeheartedly!

Treva has also forwarded your email to ‘the institute’ on to me.  I must say right at the outset that this is a very encouraging development and that you must be congratulated taking this step – and as it seems in circumstances where your decisive action was required on this matter and others relative to the COVID19 virus.

We will, in time, I believe, need to fully acknowledge that the city’s circumstances have change, – fundamentally changed. Any notion that the city, that is any city, town, community, will return to what existed, or was understood to exist, last week and the weeks before that, is sheer folly. Currently, I’m quoting Ronal Regan who said that,” the status quo is [quite simply] Latin for the mess we are in”. It fitted the circumstance of the times in which he said it and it rings of the same truth here and now!

The budgetary adjustments that you are flagging will inevitably lead to a more dynamic re-imagination that is increasingly evident as being necessary. As we move forward, as a community, inevitably there will be an acknowledgment of the paradigm shifts and social adjustments required will lead to fundamental change.

Already flagged in your motion is the need for fundamental change. I might say however it, superficially at least, and somewhat understandably, the measures appear to be focused on the city’s CBD while the ‘municipality’ is a much more diverse, indeed more dynamic, entity. However, as I intimated before this is very early days albeit at a time when time is of the essence.

For instance, Councillor Spencer has been talking to me about parking in the city and I agree with him, and apparently you do also, that the first 2 hours in the city should be free. It’ll be symbolic by-and-large but the ‘symbolism’ is ever likely to be seen as important. In fact, it beggars belief that such a move might be resisted as Councillor Spencer tells me that it is/might be. Just what self-interest might be driving such resistance?

Moving Forward
As you are aware, I have been a long -time advocate for the ‘Direct Democracy Model’ (DDM) that includes within it a fundament place for initiatives like ‘Citizen’s Assemblies’ and ‘Citizen Initiated Referenda’. I have recently written more on this here ...  https://raynormanadvocate.blogspot.com/p/local-governance-tasmania.html
 ... & ... https://www.examiner.com.au/story/6678841/alumni-backs-launceston-grammar-board-and-headmaster/

That this might be resisted by ‘status quoists’ tells me quite a lot. However, moving forward, given the city’s budgetary circumstances a ‘Citizen’s Assembly’ briefed to investigate and interrogate the city’s ’fiscal positioning’ would be a productive way forward. Indeed, resistance to such an initiative might well be charactorised as a self-interest disinclination to be accountable and transparent. For the moment, I’ll leave it at that.

Nonetheless, I do request you to proactively consider such an initiative and that you lobby your fellow councillors to join you. This will, I believe, enable the city/municipality to engage with the issues at hand and now and further ahead. Clearly it would be an indicator of ‘Council’ working with the community as opposed to ‘bureaucratically asserting authority’ at time when collaboration and cooperation shows promise of delivering appropriate outcomes.

In Conclusion
 This is a time like no other where you find yourself in that euphemistic ‘hot seat’. Your leadership is required and it is up to you to ensure that ‘the tail does not wag the dog’. Left to its own devices it will try and to the determent and diminishment of the entire community.

Regard,

Ray

COPIED TO
• Premier Gutwein <peter.gutwein@parliament.tas.gov.au>, 
• "Shelton, Minister (DPaC)" <Minister.Shelton@dpac.tas.gov.au>, 
 • Contact Us <contactus@launceston.tas.gov.au>, 
 • LAUNCESTON-PR <launcestonpr@bigpond.com>
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 Subject: URGENT: COVID-19 EMERGENCY

Date: Tuesday, 17 March 2020 at 4:40 pm

To: Mayor, Councillor Danny Gibson
TO Mayor & Councillors,

I have just been in touch with the Director of Local Govt. office and I have received the following advice:

  • A General Manager has the authority to close public spaces and especially so under the provisions of SECTION 62/2 of the Tasmanian Local Govt. Act 1993
  • If I have concerns in regard to Council’s apparent inaction and it’s apparent lack of urgency I “should lobby my councillors”. I do have serious concerns and with this communication I am following the verbal advice that I have just received!
  • Hobart City Council has acted and closed its Aquatic Centre and I now request that Launceston follow suit!

The TMAG I am advised in now closed as is MONA! SO, please take the emergency as seriously as it is being elsewhere in Tasmania, nationally and internationally. Moreover, please be proactive NOW and use SOCIAL MEDIAS to get the message out along with every other market tool council has at its disposal.

Please be proactive!

Ray Norman
Ray Norman
<zingHOUSEunlimited>
The lifestyle design enterprise and research network
“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody
ought not to be trusted by anybody.” Thomas Paine
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept” David Morrison

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Letter to the editor,

Break O'Day mayor, Mick Tucker has quite deliberately started a conversation about the future of local governance in Tasmania. More strength to his elbow!

There is an interesting conversation starting up to do with effective community consultation processes and local governance.

Citizen’s juries/assemblies and ‘participatory democracy’ have come into focus and for my money, not before time.

The language around ‘citizen’s juries’ seems to invoke all kinds of unhelpful nuancing to do with legal systems, courts, guilt, etc. Thus ‘citizen’s assemblies’ ducks all that while affording more productive conversations.

Even in Tasmania, the late John Lees, mayor of Launceston 1996–2001 initiate at least two such assemblies – known then as Search Conferences.

They demonstrated that such assemblies involved meaningful engagement with ‘the community’. Moreover, they demonstrated that they had an important role to play as ‘adjunct strategy and policy development devices’.

Given the serial crises currently in play there is a need for ‘whole of community’ policy and strategy development. 

Citizen’s assemblies offer considerable advantages and the promise of a way forward.

Sadly, with John Lees’ passing, Launceston’s foray into more effective community engagement was curtailed for the lack of a driver. 

Nonetheless, currently there is a need for a ‘Game Changer’ – a paradigm shift indeed.

Ray Norman   Launceston/Trevallyn

 ...................................................................

Letter to the editor,

Mick Tucker’s opinion piece in The Examiner March 9 is something of a game changer. As the mayor of a small but vibrant council he speaks with considerable authority when calling for change.

No doubt the naysayers and status quoists are banging on his door telling him just how deluded he is. That’s the way of the world if you’re an advocate for change. 

Importantly, Mick Tucker recognises and acknowledges the need for change and he is stepping up to the plate.

It is just possible that he has been restrained and more cautious that he might be.  The Tasmanian Local Govt. Act 1993 is way past its use-by-date. Arguably, it is well beyond Band-Aid Treatment or the odd tinker here and there to bring it into 21stC relevance.

Local governance in Tasmania with about half a million people and 29 councils actually needs a ‘root and branch’ revision – reinvention actually.

The world has moved on and the people of Tasmania ‘invest’ several Billion dollars per annum and they are not getting the appropriate social and cultural dividends commensurate with their investment.

For instance, ‘participatory democracy’ is not being considered it seems and well it might be. Rather, it seems, there is a preference for a patched-up version of the status quo.

Ronald Regan called that out well when he said, “the status quo is simply Latin for the mess we are in.”

It is way past time for fundamental change!

Ray Norman      Launceston

MARCH  8 2020  – LOCAL GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESSES

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE

ON MARCH 6 I wrote to the Minister for Local Govt. and Copied to theMinister for the Arts as follows:

"Yesterday at Launceston Council’s regular meeting a proposal to use the ‘Citizen’s Jury Process’ in regard to developing a more appropriate strategic plan for the Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery. That this concept is being canvassed now, I believe is important and that it might yet again flounder because of ‘management’s’ long standing disinclination to engage in any such process. Why this might be so I have no idea.

However, my research over the past 20 years regarding such processes in regard to ‘placemaking’ – essentially the business of local governance – keeps on taking me to various ‘participatory democracy initiatives’ here in Australia and in Europe. Here are some useful links:

My recollection is that it was in Y2000 that there was a QVMAG Search Conference that I participated in and its outcome was impressive albeit that eventually the process was aborted – and sadly so! My recollections are:
  • The conference took place in January/February 2000 – however my memory might be failing me in regard to the dates;
  • It was an initiative of Mayor John Lees who died in office 2001;
  • Sometime between 20002 until 2005 the ‘Search Conference process’ was aborted;
  • At the Search Conference, there 80 people including myself, from all over Tasmania who were in attendance all at their own expense;
  • The conference was facilitated by Bob Campbell council’s General Manager;
  • There were a number of Councillors/Alderpeople in attendance including as I recall Ald. Smart, Ald. Nott, Ald. Routley, Cllr. Kearney and perhaps others;
  • The then Director of the TMAG Patricia Sabine was in attendance; and 
  • Barry Jones Polymath, Writer, Teacher, Lawyer and chairperson of the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority from 2000 to 2005 was in attendance representing the Premier.
There must be copious council records relative to the event even if The Examiner does not seem to have paid much attention to the conference. However, there are others around who I believe will have interesting recollections and poignant and comments to make.

Notwithstanding all this, the Search Conference had all the fundamental characteristics of a Citizens Juries now do in that both are:
  • Essentially ‘public consultation processes’ invested with the intent to be open and transparent – in accord with your government’s Good Governance Guide;
  • Processes that are wide open to public scrutiny; and 
  • In the end offering ‘advice’ to governance towards accountable policy development and more informed strategic planning.  

As to why the GREENS and LABOR up to now have quite deliberately been disinclined to seriously consider ‘PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY’ I have no idea, except to say I’ve received rebuttals whenever I’ve raised the issue with elected members. 

My research tells me that Citizens Juries facilitated by the newDEMOCRACY Foundation have been extraordinarily positive processes even if they have not always provided ‘convenient advice’to governance. Sure, they have their detractor but for the most part they are ‘players’ who find accountability and transparency unwelcomed considerations for whatever reason.

I simply ask now that you consider the concept and take a hard look at the current circumstances in play in Tasmania where this kind of process has the potential to de-escalate contention and pointless debate. If you believe that Citizen’s Juries have no role to play bin Local Govt. please state your case in the open for all to see. 

Personally, I have almost no reservations in regard to their effectiveness and/or potential in a 21st C context and I will be an advocate on every opportunity that comes my way. Indeed I see enormous opportunities to interface opportunities such Citizen’s Juries and Participatory Democracy more generally have to offer in the way of better policy development.

I leave this matter in your hands and I’d welcome any commentary you may wish to offer.

Regards,

Ray Norman

MARCH 8 2020 – Precinct Management and Amenity 


CLICK HERE TO READ THE OLD STORY CIRCA 2014 ... http://ponrabbel.blogspot.com/2014/12/nature-strip-constenation-in-burbs.html

Quite frequently I'm contacted by people who have an issue in regard to 'the nature strip' outside either their home or somewhere near to them. It seems to be contentious in different ways every time but effective communication with their council is where the solutions can and should be found.

All too typically there is 'bureaucratic warfare' going on and resolution seems be an impossibility. But why for goodness sake?

In large part it is to do the 'bureaucratic imperative' of doing the least possible and then throw 'appropriate process' at the complainants. After that, stall for a period, apparently the standard is three weeks, in order that the complainant "just goes away" – job done! ... READ MORE HERE https://raynormanadvocate.blogspot.com/2020/03/precinct-management-and-amenity.html

IN THE HERE AND NOW ... The phone keeps ringing and people keep saying “the Council just will not maintain our street and it is looking scruffy” and down at Town Hall “I keep on getting the run around ... etc.’ Nothing new here EXCEPT that Council has declared – signalled rather – a CLIMATE EMERGENCY.

The EXAMINER reports “At Thursday's City of Launceston council meeting,[March 5] the councillors approved the five pledges as part of the Cities Power Partnership. .... The council agreed to join the partnership in 2019 as part of the Sustainability Strategy and to help achieve the climate change targets it endorsed in August 2019. .... The pledges involve achieving 100 per cent divestment from fossil fuels at the earliest possible date, power the council's operations by renewable energy, encourages sustainable transport use such as public transport, walking and cycling, and lobby state and federal governments to increase sustainable transport options.” ... See https://www.examiner.com.au/story/6666450/council-makes-pledges-towards-sustainability/?cs=12

All well and good, but GUNNA-DO stuff and VIRTUEsignalling really! No PERFORMANCEindicators for the operational wing, not a sausage!

In the meantime, ‘operations’ –that part of the Council where elected representatives just cannot go– can, and probable will, continue to;
  • Manage the WASTE MANAGEMENT CENTRE as the place to take valuable resources and wilfully/lazily waste them;
  • Imagine public spaces like NATURE STIPS as someone else’s problem rather an opportunity to address sustainability and amenity issues;
  • Not require the developers of major civic infrastructure assets to be self-sufficient in regard water management and/or energy requirements in whole or in part;
  • Condone and continue to advocate that current drainage systems are fit for purpose in a 21st C context;
  • Remove trees from public spaces without due consideration to their contribution to urban ecosystems and environmental sustainability; 
  • Put off until another day thinking about planning for the possibility that CLIMATE CHANGEwill/might have upon civic infrastructure; 
  • Not realistically seek 21ST Century ‘opportunity cost benefits’ via digital technologies etc.; 
  • Retain, maintain and possibly reinforce current ‘bureaucratic imperatives’ where deeming power reign supreme; 
  • Keep their constituencies at arms-length from planning processes and well away from‘placemaking’ considerations; and
  • Essentially maintain the status quo in order that ‘tried and true work practices’ are not disrupted inordinately.

A litmus test here is Council’s willingness to engage with its constituency in a proactive participatory manner and the condition of ‘nature strips’ and what Council will and will not do is but one yardstick cum performance indicator. We can rely upon considerable effort to be invested in ‘not changing much’ despite the elected 12’s resolution to change without putting in place ‘measurable targeted outcomes’ with timelines, rewards and consequences being articulated.

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