Comments on: Weekend wanderings. http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/weekend-wanderings/ The Blog of Councillor Sue Brooks, Hervey Bay - Fraser Coast Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:11:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: fraserwatch http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/weekend-wanderings/comment-page-1/#comment-598 fraserwatch Tue, 31 Mar 2009 03:56:21 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=377#comment-598 Sue, I have elected to contribute to this particular post rather than “responses to rumours”, in order to preserve some continuity in the ‘open and transparent ‘ discussion. I appreciate your attempt to answer some of the ‘rumours’which seem to abound, but in reality all you have done is to state Council policy. I also appreciate that is difficult to answer an unspecific allegation, but it is difficult to make them specific because of various defamation/libel laws, so unfortunately we continue to go round and round in circles. As others have stated, your hard work and willingness to participate in public discussion, and to endeavour to communicate with the community is much appreciated. If we had to rely on the rest of your fellow Councillors, we would know even less than we do now. I assume they are all still in the region, as the only time we seem to see or hear from them lately is when there is a favourable photo opportunity. You say in your ‘responses to rumours’ that “I keep hearing that Council is not ‘open and transparent,’ but I fail to really grasp what exactly you would like to know.” Sue it is not rocket science, people who take an interest in local and Council activities, receive very little hard information on what is happening in the F.C.region. The media tells us nothing ( maybe they are in the dark too), and as I stated in a previous post, information from the Council website consists of social/community events, and heavily sanitised snippets from some ‘open’ Council briefs – then only the perceived ‘good’news. I appreciate that some Council discussions need to be confidential because of legal or commercial reasons, but this Council goes over the top to keep anything even remotely controversial, ‘in house.’ I well remember some matters from the old H.B.C. Council that were suppressed as ‘confidential’, such as the adverse report on Wide Bay Water,the dismissal of the CEO,and who eventually paid the legal bill, all of the airport park discussions, and many others that were of legitimate interest to ratepayers, and have still not and will not ever see the light of day. All history now. Wayne in his post on 29/3 mentioned the recent communications survey. I agree that it was unprofessional, but the real test will be what Council does with it. If they just pick out the bits that they like and implement them, nothing will change. Maybe before they make a final decision, the respondents could be invited to comment on the survey results, and on any recommended changes proposed by Council. This way we might have some changes that the community would approve. It remains to be seen just how much Council wants the community involved, or is it all a bit of window dressing? A good start in improving communications , and one that could be very quickly implemented would be via the Council website, with less ‘feel good’ news, and more hard info. Sue, once again, thanks for being the only Councillor who seems to have any interest in public consultation., and certainly the only one prepared to put a bit of effort into it. fraserwatch. Sue,
I have elected to contribute to this particular post rather than “responses to rumours”, in order to preserve some continuity in the ‘open and transparent ‘ discussion. I appreciate your attempt to answer some of the ‘rumours’which seem to abound, but in reality all you have done is to state Council policy. I also appreciate that is difficult to answer an unspecific allegation, but it is difficult to make them specific because of various defamation/libel laws, so unfortunately we continue to go round and round in circles.
As others have stated, your hard work and willingness to participate in public discussion, and to endeavour to communicate with the community is much appreciated. If we had to rely on the rest of your fellow Councillors, we would know even less than we do now. I assume they are all still in the region, as the only time we seem to see or hear from them lately is when there is a favourable photo opportunity.
You say in your ‘responses to rumours’ that “I keep hearing that Council is not ‘open and transparent,’ but I fail to really grasp what exactly you would like to know.” Sue it is not rocket science, people who take an interest in local and Council activities, receive very little hard information on what is happening in the F.C.region. The media tells us nothing ( maybe they are in the dark too), and as I stated in a previous post, information from the Council website consists of social/community events, and heavily sanitised snippets from some ‘open’ Council briefs – then only the perceived ‘good’news. I appreciate that some Council discussions need to be confidential because of legal or commercial reasons, but this Council goes over the top to keep anything even remotely controversial, ‘in house.’ I well remember some matters from the old H.B.C. Council that were suppressed as ‘confidential’, such as the adverse report on Wide Bay Water,the dismissal of the CEO,and who eventually paid the legal bill, all of the airport park discussions, and many others that were of legitimate interest to ratepayers, and have still not and will not ever see the light of day. All history now.
Wayne in his post on 29/3 mentioned the recent communications survey. I agree that it was unprofessional, but the real test will be what Council does with it. If they just pick out the bits that they like and implement them, nothing will change. Maybe before they make a final decision, the respondents could be invited to comment on the survey results, and on any recommended changes proposed by Council. This way we might have some changes that the community would approve. It remains to be seen just how much Council wants the community involved, or is it all a bit of window dressing? A good start in improving communications , and one that could be very quickly implemented would be via the Council website, with less ‘feel good’ news, and more hard info.
Sue, once again, thanks for being the only Councillor who seems to have any interest in public consultation., and certainly the only one prepared to put a bit of effort into it.

fraserwatch.

]]> By: russell http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/weekend-wanderings/comment-page-1/#comment-597 russell Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:09:58 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=377#comment-597 Maybe sue has to run things through the council media dept before giving you your answer re business cards.They were probably printed by a councilors relative and not locally..So please sue it's not a hard question... Maybe sue has to run things through the council media dept before giving you your answer re business cards.They were probably printed by a councilors relative and not locally..So please sue it’s not a hard question…

]]> By: Sue http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/weekend-wanderings/comment-page-1/#comment-596 Sue Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:19:59 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=377#comment-596 I might respond via a new post.... still not sure sometimes how best to manage these discussions but will use a new post this time. Maybe it will help but your suggestions on how to better manage the site are more than welcome. So please refer to my latest post called... you guessed it .... Responses to rumours. I'm running out of clever ideas for headings it seems. I might respond via a new post…. still not sure sometimes how best to manage these discussions but will use a new post this time. Maybe it will help but your suggestions on how to better manage the site are more than welcome. So please refer to my latest post called… you guessed it …. Responses to rumours. I’m running out of clever ideas for headings it seems.

]]> By: Jeanette Maynes http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/weekend-wanderings/comment-page-1/#comment-595 Jeanette Maynes Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:24:53 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=377#comment-595 Dear Fraserwatch, Thanks for following up on my business card question, I have been eagerly awaiting a reply, I find it pretty much impossible to get direct questions answered, they seem to get ignored in the hope people forget they were asked in the first place, "I feel like throwing up my hands in despair and saying ‘why should I bother”! Jeanette LOL Sue, eagerly awaiting your reply..... Name and address of the printer would be suffice! Dear Fraserwatch,

Thanks for following up on my business card question, I have been eagerly awaiting a reply, I find it pretty much impossible to get direct questions answered, they seem to get ignored in the hope people forget they were asked in the first place, “I feel like throwing up my hands in despair and saying ‘why should I bother”!

Jeanette

LOL Sue, eagerly awaiting your reply….. Name and address of the printer would be suffice!

]]> By: fraserwatch http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/weekend-wanderings/comment-page-1/#comment-593 fraserwatch Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:43:17 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=377#comment-593 Sue, your comments re John Neves's original post to SIB and your subsequent reply to his recent post on your website, is a good example of part of the problem. Nowhere have you addressed any of the issues he mentioned.They are passed off as unfounded speculation, and he is criticised for raising them publicly. As you will be aware, there are more people than John making some of these allegations,and quite often the old adage "where there's smoke ther's fire" can be true. Why can't you or Council make a simple official statements either denying or explaining the issues? I understand that a lot of the things that are raised are trivia, and do not deserve a response, but not all are in this category. Council's policy seems to be that if you ignore perceived issues, either unfounded or otherwise,eventually they will go away. To prevent these accusations going on and on, why not be a little more open in addressing public concerns, either real or imagined? fw. ps. I did participate in Council's recent questionaire on communications. fw. Sue,
your comments re John Neves’s original post to SIB and your subsequent reply to his recent post on your website, is a good example of part of the problem.
Nowhere have you addressed any of the issues he mentioned.They are passed off as unfounded speculation, and he is criticised for raising them publicly.
As you will be aware, there are more people than John making some of these allegations,and quite often the old adage “where there’s smoke ther’s fire” can be true.
Why can’t you or Council make a simple official statements either denying or explaining the issues? I understand that a lot of the things that are raised are trivia, and do not deserve a response, but not all are in this category.
Council’s policy seems to be that if you ignore perceived issues, either unfounded or otherwise,eventually they will go away.
To prevent these accusations going on and on, why not be a little more open in addressing public concerns, either real or imagined?

fw.
ps. I did participate in Council’s recent questionaire on communications. fw.

]]> By: wayne http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/weekend-wanderings/comment-page-1/#comment-592 wayne Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:30:02 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=377#comment-592 Hi Sue, I know that unlike a lot of Councillors, at least you do like getting public feedback, and at least you DO try to get answers and to communicate with those that care enough to make comments to you, so, for what it is worth, I thought I would contribute on recent posts. I agree very much with Fraserwatch's comments on the lack of 'unsanitised' news and more 'openness". This is always promised, yet never even remotely delivered and the local media reporting effort doesn't help. I can't imagine why not, because surely we should be no different to any other other region? As to the recent FCRC communications survey, I did of course respond, just as I try to do with most surveys involving topics that I am concerned about. However, I did feel it was a pretty unprofessional survey, and not much more than the usual token effort we have come to expect from those who gather and analyse such feedback. Some intending respondents I spoke with actually didn't bother to complete it because they felt this way also. Unless much of the present 'sanitisation' by Council's own public relations folk is remedied, or a way is found to raise journalism standards and enthusiasm within the local media, then indeed, a Council 'blog' (professinally and objectively overseen by a suitable moderator, like the ASX's HotCopper forum) might offer the best alternative approach? Anyway, it will be interesting to see if any of the survey respondents or public ever get timely, objective and worthwhile feedback this time on the survey itself? My experiences with previous Council surveys (and even some petitions) on other matters have never been good or even satisfactory ones, but I have spoken to you about these already. As far as Johns and your own latest posts are concerned, I can see where both of you are coming from, and there is much truth in both views. However, many current roles and happenings within FCRC are certainly currently being perceived by the community as unsatisfactorily or inefficient, so some major changes really must overdue if the situation is to improve. Maybe this can actually begin with better public input and feedback methods, involving more appropriate communications which better support the 'open and reponsible' Council objective? I must confess, that most of my current knowledge of latest FCRC happenings currently comes from only BBS, rumours and your own blog ... that's pretty sad I think! So can I ask what do you and other Councillors think needs to happen? Unfortunately, I hear practically nothing from other Councillors at all, and I don't think any of them bother to run personal blog sites, so all the more reason for a FCRC one in my opinion! Hi Sue,

I know that unlike a lot of Councillors, at least you do like getting public feedback, and at least you DO try to get answers and to communicate with those that care enough to make comments to you, so, for what it is worth, I thought I would contribute on recent posts.

I agree very much with Fraserwatch’s comments on the lack of ‘unsanitised’ news and more ‘openness”. This is always promised, yet never even remotely delivered and the local media reporting effort doesn’t help. I can’t imagine why not, because surely we should be no different to any other other region?

As to the recent FCRC communications survey, I did of course respond, just as I try to do with most surveys involving topics that I am concerned about. However, I did feel it was a pretty unprofessional survey, and not much more than the usual token effort we have come to expect from those who gather and analyse such feedback.
Some intending respondents I spoke with actually didn’t bother to complete it because they felt this way also.

Unless much of the present ‘sanitisation’ by Council’s own public relations folk is remedied, or a way is found to raise journalism standards and enthusiasm within the local media, then indeed, a Council ‘blog’ (professinally and objectively overseen by a suitable moderator, like the ASX’s HotCopper forum) might offer the best alternative approach?

Anyway, it will be interesting to see if any of the survey respondents or public ever get timely, objective and worthwhile feedback this time on the survey itself? My experiences with previous Council surveys (and even some petitions) on other matters have never been good or even satisfactory ones, but I have spoken to you about these already.

As far as Johns and your own latest posts are concerned, I can see where both of you are coming from, and there is much truth in both views. However, many current roles and happenings within FCRC are certainly currently being perceived by the community as unsatisfactorily or inefficient, so some major changes really must overdue if the situation is to improve. Maybe this can actually begin with better public input and feedback methods, involving more appropriate communications which better support the ‘open and reponsible’ Council objective?

I must confess, that most of my current knowledge of latest FCRC happenings currently comes from only BBS, rumours and your own blog … that’s pretty sad I think! So can I ask what do you and other Councillors think needs to happen? Unfortunately, I hear practically nothing from other Councillors at all, and I don’t think any of them bother to run personal blog sites, so all the more reason for a FCRC one in my opinion!

]]> By: John A Neve http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/weekend-wanderings/comment-page-1/#comment-589 John A Neve Sun, 29 Mar 2009 06:19:02 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=377#comment-589 Sue, If you re-read my post as suggested, you will note I've in every case suggest the appropriate action to those making adverse comment re- council and it's action or lack there of. That was a long sentence wasn't it? As to formal questions! You know how long it took me to get answers last time don't you? Added to which I won't comment on the quality of the answers. Sue, just hang in there and keep trying, that's what I intend doing. John Sue,

If you re-read my post as suggested, you will note I’ve in every case
suggest the appropriate action to those making adverse comment re-
council and it’s action or lack there of.
That was a long sentence wasn’t it?
As to formal questions! You know how long it took me to get answers last
time don’t you? Added to which I won’t comment on the quality of the
answers.

Sue, just hang in there and keep trying, that’s what I intend doing.

John

]]> By: Sue http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/weekend-wanderings/comment-page-1/#comment-588 Sue Sun, 29 Mar 2009 05:48:53 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=377#comment-588 Ouch...! me thinks I have trod on the odd toe! Firstly the question re business cards was asked on the 16th March. I will endeavour to supply an answer asap. Please forgive me my tardiness as I simply cannot keep up with correspondence, including this web site, as well as I would like to, but I do try my best. I have not forgotten the enquiry. Secondly Fraserwatch - Please ask me directly what information you refer to? I trust that you participated in the recent request to provide feedback about improving the manner in which Council communicates with you. If you want more information than that provided via media releases, publications and Council meeting minutes please direct me to specifics so that I may possibly be able to help. I am more than happy to try to ensure that Council provides "meaningful feedback". Also please advise me as to what you wish me to do specifically and I will endeavour to respond. John - By publicly speaking about rumours, in my opinion, you are endorsing them or giving them credence. Why not write to Council and ask the CEO and Councillors directly to respond to the 'rumours' but please, not without some evidence? You speak of combining 'perceived issues into one'. What exactly are the issues? And why pop them onto the web instead of formally asking for answers to your concerns. I find it personally very depressing to work within Council and to be trying very hard to do my very best for the community, alongside staff who also work very, very hard, when it seems like the best game in town is to throw slings and arrows at Council. I believe Council has done an excellent job in coping with the myriad challenges it was thrown into these last 12 months. Council is not bullet proof and is also not perfect. It is also made up of many individuals as is any other large organisation. Please direct criticism or queries to Council formally in order to receive a response prior to publicly airing 'perceived issues' and rumours. I await your email and/or letters. Please use my work email address sue.brooks@frasercoast.qld.gov.au Sue PS Don't forget the one about the footpath.... Ouch…! me thinks I have trod on the odd toe!
Firstly the question re business cards was asked on the 16th March. I will endeavour to supply an answer asap. Please forgive me my tardiness as I simply cannot keep up with correspondence, including this web site, as well as I would like to, but I do try my best. I have not forgotten the enquiry.
Secondly
Fraserwatch – Please ask me directly what information you refer to? I trust that you participated in the recent request to provide feedback about improving the manner in which Council communicates with you. If you want more information than that provided via media releases, publications and Council meeting minutes please direct me to specifics so that I may possibly be able to help. I am more than happy to try to ensure that Council provides “meaningful feedback”. Also please advise me as to what you wish me to do specifically and I will endeavour to respond.

John – By publicly speaking about rumours, in my opinion, you are endorsing them or giving them credence. Why not write to Council and ask the CEO and Councillors directly to respond to the ‘rumours’ but please, not without some evidence? You speak of combining ‘perceived issues into one’. What exactly are the issues? And why pop them onto the web instead of formally asking for answers to your concerns.
I find it personally very depressing to work within Council and to be trying very hard to do my very best for the community, alongside staff who also work very, very hard, when it seems like the best game in town is to throw slings and arrows at Council.
I believe Council has done an excellent job in coping with the myriad challenges it was thrown into these last 12 months. Council is not bullet proof and is also not perfect. It is also made up of many individuals as is any other large organisation.
Please direct criticism or queries to Council formally in order to receive a response prior to publicly airing ‘perceived issues’ and rumours. I await your email and/or letters. Please use my work email address sue.brooks@frasercoast.qld.gov.au
Sue
PS Don’t forget the one about the footpath….

]]> By: John A Neve http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/weekend-wanderings/comment-page-1/#comment-587 John A Neve Sun, 29 Mar 2009 02:08:55 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=377#comment-587 Sue, I suggest you read my post once again. I have made no allegations what so ever. What I have done is to compact a number of percieved issues into one, even on this site there have been suggestions regarding contracts, to which you have even responded! It is no good in my view to allow rumours to circulate, without redress, all I have done is bring the issues into the open. Our local paper, letters to the Ed and a number of sites all have rumour and innuendo regarding council. Nothing I have said or put into print is untrue, if you believe it is, tell me? Some one in this region needs to clear the air, if I must be the one, so be it. Regards as always, John Sue,

I suggest you read my post once again. I have made no allegations what so ever.
What I have done is to compact a number of percieved issues into one, even on
this site there have been suggestions regarding contracts, to which you have
even responded!

It is no good in my view to allow rumours to circulate, without redress, all I
have done is bring the issues into the open. Our local paper, letters to the Ed
and a number of sites all have rumour and innuendo regarding council.
Nothing I have said or put into print is untrue, if you believe it is, tell me?

Some one in this region needs to clear the air, if I must be the one, so be it.

Regards as always,

John

]]> By: fraserwatch http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/weekend-wanderings/comment-page-1/#comment-586 fraserwatch Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:36:12 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=377#comment-586 Sue, maybe if Council were more 'open and transparent' in keeping ratepayers aware of what was occuring in Council, people would not need to be regularly making "unfounded constant criticism." All we get on the Council website and local papers is a sanitised version of the "public" sections of a recent Council meeting, or the current social/community activities. More information please on what really is occuring in the FCRC., then we won't have to speculate. The time where "settling in" excuses are acceptable is over, it now being 12 months down the track since you were all elected. Now is the time for Councillors to start performing, and give some meaningful feedback on what is happening,to those who pay their salaries. fw. ps. I notice you have not posted a reply to Jeanette Mayne's direct question of 16 th. March as to who printed FCRC's business cards.Some are interested in the answer. fw Sue, maybe if Council were more ‘open and transparent’ in keeping ratepayers aware of what was occuring in Council, people would not need to be regularly making “unfounded constant criticism.”
All we get on the Council website and local papers is a sanitised version of the “public” sections of a recent Council meeting, or the current social/community activities.
More information please on what really is occuring in the FCRC., then we won’t have to speculate.
The time where “settling in” excuses are acceptable is over, it now being 12 months down the track since you were all elected.
Now is the time for Councillors to start performing, and give some meaningful feedback on what is happening,to those who pay their salaries.
fw.
ps. I notice you have not posted a reply to Jeanette Mayne’s direct question of 16 th. March as to who printed FCRC’s business cards.Some are interested in the answer.
fw

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