GAWLER mayor Karen Redman has defended her council’s boundary reform proposal from claims that it is nothing but a “rates grab”.
Council endorsed a lengthy report, authored by chief executive Henry Inat, last month that will see it investigate the benefits of altering its boundaries, before submitting a formal request to the
newly-formed Boundaries Commission in the future to have them changed.
Under the proposal, the suburbs of Hewett, Gawler Belt and Reid (currently part of Light Regional Council), Kalbeeba and the Concordia Growth Area (currently Barossa Council), and portions of Evanston Park and Hillier that belong to Playford Council would be brought into Gawler Council’s jurisdiction.
Sections of Bibaringa and Uleybury currently controlled by Gawler Council would be ceded to Playford Council.
The Bunyip published two stories about the plan on September 18: one detailing Light Regional Council’s opposition to the reforms, and another with Mr Inat arguing Gawler Council’s proposal was
“not about revenue”.
In the same edition, Ms Redman penned an opinion piece highlighting the importance of boundary reforms, stating that “creating a stronger rates base will allow us to provide more comprehensive services to everyone who lives, works, does business in, and visits Gawler”.
Councillor Ian Tooley – who voted against the boundary reforms proposal when it came before council in September – questioned the mayor and CEO at an ordinary meeting last Tuesday about their reasoning for wanting the changes.
“It’s reported in The Bunyip the CEO as saying the boundary grab is nothing to do with revenue and rates, but you (Ms Redman) are reported as saying that we need those extra rates to pay for the civil amenities that we provide,” he said.
“In your statement you say clearly, ‘that money will allow us to do more for our town, and address our needs’, but the CEO is saying, ‘it’s not about money, it’s not about a rates grab’.
“So, which is it? “Is (the boundary reforms proposal) a rates grab, or is it not?”
Ms Redman replied: “it’s both”.
"Boundary reform is about one community, it’s also about our future needs,” she said.
“Our boundaries do not reflect our community… the position of this council is that we’re going to pursue the conversation and investigate the process of boundary reform.
“Now where that goes, I guess, is where it goes.
“But we need to have this conversation, and the community of Gawler has been wanting to have this conversation for a long time.
“It’s not a rates grab, it’s about planning for our future.”
