During the public forum at last Wednesday’s council meeting, Larry Cameron challenged council to do more consultation on the Town Centre Renewal Plan. 

Bob Bensley then voiced his opinion that it should go ahead as is.

Both men were no longer present when a very vigorous debate broke out after Cr Peters moved council undertake further community discussion, the motion was seconded by Cr David Jones and almost all councillors contributed. The debate started when Cr Jackie Watts asked for clarification.

“Having heard what Mr Cameron said, how do we sit that beside what Mr Bensley said?” Cr Jackie Watts asked. “How do we assess between the views of some, to the views of others to the position of council?”

Cr Peters said it seemed there were a number of people not happy with the plan.

“I’d suggest council not listening to them would not be very smart,” Cr Peters said.

Mayor Paul Harmon told the meeting that he had provided the Concerned Inverell Ratepayer’s Association with information about the plan, but he thought it had been ignored because it had not offered the right answers to their questions.

Cr David Jones indicated that there were certain aspects of the plan many people were against.

“Besides Bob Bensley, I have not met anyone who is in favour of the median strip and the trees down the middle of the street, except the members of the committee. Not one soul. The fact of the matter is that the trees down the middle is what is upsetting most ratepayers,” Cr Jones said.

Cr Johnston said his decisions were made according to information he was given.

“People who have complained to me have not read the report. I keep a copy in my place of business, some said ‘I don’t want to read it, I’m against it’,” he said.

“I believe we’re elected to make decisions on the best information that we’re given, and this matter has been before the council for almost three years now.”

He said there had been little interest shown in the committee when it was formed.

“I think it is unfortunate that perhaps that is an Australian trait, but we have to live with it. We were elected to make decisions. A public campaign in the media is not the best outcome for any decision in council.”

Cr Watts said to listen to someone does not necessarily mean agreeing with them.

“I may agree with it, I may not agree with it. That’s my democratic right,” she said.

Cr Harold Castledine thought there was a lot of misinformation being handed out.

“At tennis the other day … there were that many people who didn’t understand what we were going to do,” Cr Castledine said.

“We should challenge that committee (association) and enlighten them with the truth. It might give us a bit of a fair go instead of getting the rubbishing that we are now. I’m not going to back down on it, I’ll tell you that now.” 

Cr Anthony Michael said he did not know where Cr Jones was coming from.

“He mustn’t have read the submissions that came in, because in the submissions there are a number in favour of doing an upgrade of the CBD. I don’t know how he got his (not) one person being in favour from,” Cr Michael said.

In closing the debate Cr Peters said it would be the height of stupidity to call 1000 people ignorant because they were not happy with the plan.