Mayor left out on her own opposing more council bureaucracy

John Farnham once sang that “one is the loneliest number” and Ballina’s Madam Mayor Sharon has had a taste of that feeling while standing up to a Greens Party push to add to the council bureaucracy.

Councillors voted nine to one in favour of council upping staff numbers by employing a “youth development officer”.

The Mayor was unable to sway any of her colleagues with the argument that social services were primarily a state government responsibility.

“We need to work with the responsible state government agencies and not take the responsibility back on to council and ratepayers,” Councillor Cadwallader said.

She argued the shire’s operations were so lean that unlike most councils Ballina didn’t even employ an economic development officer.  Such a position she said was potentially more vital to the wider community than a designated activist for young people.

Arguing in favour of hiring the youth worker, Greens Party Councillor Kiri Dicker said she began her career as an activist employed in a youth officer position.

Cr Dicker said Ballina was “the odd council out in the region” for not having a youth officer and therefore there was nobody on staff  “to promote social justice issues.”

Cr Therese Crollick said she ran for council to promote social justice causes and was therefore all in favour,

Cr Phil Meehan threw his support behind the Greens amendment suggesting the Kentwell community centre in Ballina was underutilized and could be better if there was full time youth officer to help fill the space.

The Green’s amendment was passed, with only the mayor voting against.