What is a caring community and how does Council contribute?

In Eurobodalla we have the highest rate of chronic disease in Australia, there is way too much homelesness, we have our share of gender violence and abuse, there is a high level of mental health concerns and the care shown by our Conservative Council to be aware and take an active, or even a leadership role is just, well, let’s call it out, not good enough! Combining the spend on Childrens Services, Youth Services, and Community Care together the Council spends around $1.8M - and there is little else after that. Tourism gets $1.5M and economic development gets $1.15M - that is $2.65M together for those in business and looking to make money.

We in Labor would say the role of all Councils to understand the circumstances of their communities and be active in supporting programs and attracting funding to make the difference in people’s lives. That is the task if you want to build a caring community. But after decades of conservative councils what do we have? Funds being locked away to repay debts generated by bad decisions over time and now there will be no new programs or support possible until the underlying financial circumstance improves – mostly from increased rates presumably once high-rise apartments for the tourists and investors have been built in Batemans Bay and elsewhere. The current set of Councillors have collectively under-delivered to the community. There are always Councillors who work in the interest of the community, but they have been held down and are not able to influence the agenda.

Turn the tide and vote Labor and vote for a progressive Council.

Authorised by Steve Winslade, 5 Tranquil Bay Place, Rosedale, 2536