Residents sign up to GRRA

By Cherie Donnellan
GEELONG’S new residents and ratepayers association is rapidly attracting members, according to the group’s president.
Andrew Senia said he expected up to 20 new members would attend not-for-profit GRRA’s third meeting, despite starting just 14 days ago.
“We had 13 new members attend our last meeting, with 13 apologies,” he said.
The Independent reported two weeks ago the birth of the first-ever city-wide municipal watchdog.
Mr Senia said his law firm had been inundated with membership enquiries.
“It’s fantastic that so many people are looking to join. Potentially we could have 170,000 members.
“We’re realistic of course about not expecting to reach that, but the more people that join, the stronger the voice we’ll have to approach local government and parliament with our issues.”
GRRA’s priorities would include “scrutinising” council election candidates about any “political stances, promises about funding and their commitment to transparency within council”, Mr Senia said.
The committee would “indirectly help” non-members with ensuring residents’ concerns were listened to and supported, he said.
Mystery mayoral candidate John Smith has thrown his support behind GRRA.
Mr Senia said Mr Smith contacted him earlier this week to congratulate him on starting the committee.
“He told me he expected our numbers would grow,” Mr Senia said.
“He’s also got a rates policy himself, and a policy about local government’s superannuation issue, and he intends to announce those policies soon.”
Mr Senia said a “bank” and a “large company” expressed interest in sponsoring the GRRA.
“We’d love sponsors to get on board.”
He encouraged residents considering joining to call GRRA’s public officer Callan Shakespeare on 5226 3555 or email callan.shakespeare@mchenry.com.au.