Illawarra Liberals are trying to “put up smokescreen” and “muddy the waters” over the NSW Government’s decision to take funding away from the free service, Wollongong’s acting Lord Mayor David Brown says.
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Cr Brown has hit out at a move by Liberal councillor Cameron Walters to get Wollongong council to look at whether it could chip in to pay for a portion of the shuttle costs that the state government will cease funding when it introduces fares from January 29.
Cr Walters – who works for Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward – raised an urgent motion without notice at Monday night’s council meeting. A majority of councillors voted not to allow this to proceed to a debate.
Defending this decision, Cr Brown noted the council had already held an emergency meeting to decide a position on the introduction of fares for the shuttle, where all councillors – including Cr Walters – voted to fight the government’s plan.
“I can see no good reason why we should let up on our campaign to force the State Government to maintain the free bus,” Cr Brown said.
“The only thing that’s changed in two weeks is that Gareth Ward has returned from overseas and is trying to cost-shift the shuttle to council – and muddy the waters about whose decision and whose responsibility this is.
“Last night Mr Ward's Liberal party colleagues in council attempted to continue his campaign - while the Lord Mayor is out of the city.
“Council's position is clear and has been articulated by Lord Mayor Bradbery and that is the shuttle is a regional service that should remain funded by the State Government.”
Labelling Cr Walter’s move “an ambush”, Cr Brown said councillors wishing to attempt to reverse the previous unanimous decision of council would need to lodge a rescission notice to be debated at the December meeting.
Mr Ward has reacted angrily to the decision of Labor and Greens councillors’ to stymie debate about whether the council – and the University of Wollongong – could step in and save the free shuttle.
“Councillor Cameron Walters attempted to move an urgency motion ... proposing a funding solution to continue the free operation of the Gong Shuttle,” he said.
“So early in the council term, it’s sad to see that Labor and the Greens are putting politics first and solutions last. Clearly, they love headlines and rallies, but would rather fight a campaign against the government than find a solution that works for our community.”
Mr Ward also moved a notice of motion in state parliament on Tuesday to “condemn” the councillors who voted against Cr Walters’ push.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
