Beaumaris Conservation Society

43rd Annual General Meeting, 20th  June 1996

President’s Report

In this years President's report I would like to focus on the local political climate and its implications for the Beaumaris Conservation Society.

It is clear we are in a new political era, governments at all levels now relate to people in new ways. These ways of relating, and the values that inform these relationships, have been adopted from the business sector in an effort to improve the economic efficiency of government and all of the services it provides.

At a lcal government level this has resulted in the creation of the Bayside City Council, the appointment of non elected commissioners and the requirement of compulsory tendering.

The new Bayside Council, a larger entity than Sandringham City Council, has to this point in time been directed by the government appointed commissioners who operate under a framework established by the State. In practice this has resulted in Commissioners revisiting many policy issues which relate to the natural environment that the previous elected councillors had worked long and hard in ensuring policy reflected the social circumstances of our unique region. The commissioners initiated a process that resulted in the employment of consultants to ascertain local opinion on the natural environment. This was a wasteful move since the Sandringham council had virtual completed its Conservation strategy, a lengthy process which involved residents, council employees and perhaps most significantly elected Councillors. The seeking of public opinion by consultants, which was not initiated by residents, was seen by one as placing an obstacle between residents and Commissioners while doing something that had already been done.

Currently, with the changing arrangements to the management of parks and gardens, concerns abound that the expertise that resided in the Council employees in relation to the national environment will not continue to be available. These skills have taken years to acquire and the staff have demonstrated their dedication to the local community and the natural environment.

There is no doubt that improvement in economic efficiencies is a worthwhile pursuit, but for me the pursuit is driven by ideology as opposed to meeting the needs of the local community. It is becoming evident that the derision making process has become less accessible to the local community and that economic values preside over the desires of the local community and the natural environment.

I will not to not be standing for re-election as I am unable to devote the energy that the Beaumaris Conservation Society deserves. I would like to thank those who have supported me in the position and wish the new President all the best.

Rob Casamento

June 1996