By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG’S first directly elected mayoral experiment was an “abject failure”, several councillors have told the Independent.
They said confected controversy over council’s ward funding system was a legacy of the 10-month tenure of Keith Fagg, who as mayor was open to “outside influences” from business leaders and “unelected” organisations.
The councillors were angry and frustrated at criticism of the Community Priority Projects system, which annually allocates $500,000 and $100,000 each for ward and portfolio-related projects respectively.
Acting Mayor Bruce Harwood confirmed councillor claims that the former mayor had wanted to use the ward funding for Geelong’s city centre instead.
Cr Harwood said the dysfunctional mayoral system led to a battle between the wards and the city centre for funding.
The real story behind the wards’ funding issue had been left untold until now, he said.
Mr Fagg as mayor attempted to divert funds from the wards to cover costs associated with easing city centre parking issues and to initiate a hard-waste collection, Cr Harwood said.
“We were open to discussing options around those issues but Keith was unable to convince the councillors.
“He was not able to provide an alternative option as to how the general region would not be disadvantaged by the council becoming city-centric.
“Keith would not acknowledge that the community had spoken strongly to support the ward-based funding model because they believed it worked best overall.”
“Council supported discussion about the CBD and issue of car parking in the city centre but not at the expense of communities in outer-regions.”
Cr Harwood said Mr Fagg’s decision to write a letter about his ward funding concerns to Premier Denis Napthine and to share it with the media was “unproductive”.
“It’s a pity it’s taken a sinister twist … councillors are disappointed some of the comment has been biased without taking a more-balanced view.”
Cr Harwood also hit out at “faceless persons behind a campaign and never exposing themselves”.
“When the proverbial hits the fan they scurry away blameless. We have too many of those in Geelong.”
Cr Harwood said the ward funding had benefited 340 community organisations.
He denied claims councillors were solely responsible for funding decisions.
“Not all applications have been successful. They’re judged on merit and value for money and overall community benefit.
“It doesn’t get down to one councillor making the decision. There’s a discussion with officers, other councillors and through the budget process.”
Mr Fagg quit as mayor in August, citing unspecified health reasons. He later blamed stress.
Ratepayers will spend about $500,000 on a mayoral by-election in November to find a replacement for the remaining three years of the four-year term.
The Independent was unable to gain comment from Mr Fagg.
A Faggs Mitre 10 receptionist said he had left for an overseas holiday this week.
She was unsure when he would return.
