By NOEL MURPHY
GEELONG mayor Darryn Lyons has savaged City Hall bureaucrats for putting barriers in the way of business opportunities.
Department staff and some senior managemers had refused to embrace his open-for-business philosophy and continued to stymie entrepreneurs wanting to invest in the region, an angry Cr Lyons said.
“My biggest frustration as mayor is people telling me, ‘You say you’re open for business but as soon as we go to you we hit difficulties, departments saying you can’t do this or you can’t do that’.
“This is my biggest frustration, breaking down that mindset and making it achievable for people who are coming to Geelong prepared to take financial risk.”
Cr Lyons said Geelong had an historic reputation for entangling potential investors in red tape but his election as mayor had flagged a broad community desire to reshape City Hall’s “mindset”.
His outburst followed recent criticism of some fellow councillors who he argued were resistant to change, angrily Tweeting: “Never have I seen war more in elected people who are the future of our city! sad’’.
His annoyance echoed difficulties that predecessor Keith Fagg blamed for forcing him from office less than a year after becoming Geelong’s first directly-elected mayor.
Cr Lyons told the Independent Geelong had to “embrace everything – you can’t turn anyone away”.
“But historically we have and some people won’t ever come back. There’s no doubt Geelong’s lost a lot,” he said.
“Council has to have open arms, a smile on its faces and great customer service. It’s not rocket science – treat people badly and they won’t come back and knock on your door.
“Jobs are needed desperately and there’s been an overwhelming vote for change but the bureaucracy still needs to change. Senior management needs to understand what this mayor wants.
“Over the last six months in certain areas that has happened but in many areas it still hasn’t. We need it to happen.
“I won’t be finished my job as mayor until that culture changes, until it’s replaced with a younger vibrant look showing nothing’s impossible.’’
Cr Lyons said City Hall’s next chief exeuctive officer, yet to be appointed but set to draw a salary of up to $500,000, would need to “take quick action” against the City Hall culture.
“Either that or it’s a waste of time me being mayor.
“I want change for the people who voted for change and it’s not just me. All the departments have to work hard and deliver exceptional customer service.
“We have to take on our opportunities with both hands or they’re straight out the back door.”
