Each advisory committee will be made of eight members: seven community members and one member of Council’s executive. The membership of both committees will be a blend of people from inside and outside the Shire. 

The idea sounds excellent until one hears Administrator Zahra talk so enthusiastically about the “bringing in of outsiders” to assist the committee. It sounds good, “experts” in the field but when one considers how the two main parties treat the locals when they bring in their “developer buddies” like as maybe occurred at Casey Council one loses that warm fuzzy  feeling. 

With the shocking revelations in the Ibac Inquiry surrounding developer Woodman and disgraced (now Ex) Councillors, along with the usual “failed” party hacks acting as gophers for money drops in brown bags, one wonders what might be planned for South Gippsland if we link local and external “developer or experts in the field types”. But of course, we have been assured that we will be “consulted” in the process. That happened at Casey too, I believe, and those developers apparently helped organise that too!

Council goes on to say, “The committees will involve the community in the development of their proposals. Further details will be provided to the community when expression of interest processes open for the advisory committee positions”.

South Gippsland Shire Administrator Rick Brown said it was vital to establish these committees to help drive the local economy.

“Jobs are critical to the future of South Gippsland and encouraging both new investment and existing businesses to increase their involvement in the Shire must be a high priority.

“However, there is intense competition for investment in regional Victoria. Having natural advantages is not enough. The Shire needs to diversify its industry base, understand what the Shire needs to do and provide to encourage more investment and to identify possible investors.

“As far as visitors are concerned, South Gippsland needs a range of plans and facilities to encourage more people to visit all year round and to stay longer when they come.

“The establishment of these two committees comes at a time when the coronavirus is demonstrating both that it is not necessary for many people to work physically in an office and also the attractiveness of living in regional Victoria.

“However South Gippsland will have to persuade people thinking about relocating that this is the place to come. Council expects that the proposals developed by these two committees made up of people with experience in and knowledge of various industries will enable us to respond to these challenges effectively with clear, well-informed and targeted strategies,” said Administrator Brown.

Have to wonder, 7 on the committee, say 4 outside “experts” which 4 fields of expertise will these 4 “experts” be in? Property developing? Which others?