Letters to the Editor
6 July, 2026
Letter to the editor: Council communications
Is a ‘Drop-In’ a productive, legitimate form of communication? I think it is not.
From Edna Carmichael, Moss Vale
Is a ‘Drop-In’ a productive, legitimate form of communication?
I think it is not.
A drop-in is a very informal method of communication.
A person who says, “Drop in if you’re passing”, isn’t offering a long, serious communication session. They might perhaps offer you a coffee, tell you a little about their latest grandchild and ask “What’s new in your world?”
But they certainly don’t want a serious conversation about your health, family concerns or the state of politics.
Seldom does any in-depth communication takes place in such a session.
Apart from anything else, there is insufficient time for discussion of any serious issues.
Wingecarribee Shire Council is holding ‘drop-in’ sessions to explain to the community why our yearly land rates are going to go up 34%. I say ARE going to go up because Council already knows that drop-ins are not an effective form of communication. One which they have been rubbished for using in the past.
Why? People are expected to hop in line, wait their turn, ask their question/s and then buzz off. In the middle of winter, in a drafty hall, talk to either the mayor or general manager who they already do not trust (GM) or respect (mayor). Worse still the GM and Mayor may be twinning – both talking to the same person therefore making the waiting even longer.
Where are the other eight councillors? Are they not trusted enough to get the right outcome – rates go up – or are they too scared to meet residents face-to-face. It is a mystery really. The mystery being their (the councillors) support of the increases when community sentiment is against rate increases and in support of an independent, resident based, financial committee.
The conclusion to be drawn from all of this is that this Council, and most of the councillors, do not want to interact with their community. They do not want to hear or witness the deep discontent within the Shire.
And why is there such discontent? There is no democracy. Councillors are there to represent us. Yes, US; seek community opinion, debate topics and vote accordingly.
The council survey, posted online, asks people to indicate how they found out about the rate increases (land, water and sewerage) and the special rate variation that council is seeking. I can’t wait to find out the results of that particular question.
A drop-in is not a vehicle for debate. It is not a true democratic process. Who is going to put forward the opposing proposition at these drop-ins? Noone!
Consider this; 80% of residents in Colo Vale own their own home. The potential voters in Colo Vale in an election is 1200 people.
If 50 people front up to Colo Vale Hall for the council drop-in session does council inform the independent body, iPART, that 1150 Colo Vale residents did not oppose the rate increase.
I would like to think that would not happen.
But I am not too confident about it!
Council did not come clean about the water and sewerage rate rises which have already started, estimated around a 54% increase over three years. They happened under the radar. Utilities rate hikes by stealth.
Council and councillors are very worried about the community’s perception of them and so they should be.
It is not the job of the mayor to accompany the general manager to support rate increases. The mayor’s role is to support community views, as is that of councillors.
If drop-ins are the best this council can do as a form of ascertaining community opinion then I think we are in deep trouble. How have they broadcast the online survey? How have they broadcast the rate variation? How are they advertising the community drop-ins?
Lots of questions still to be asked. And remember this; if you complete the survey online this is not a formal submission against the increase in land rates that council is going to apply for.
Edna Carmichael
Moss Vale
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