Gracetown-Cowaramup Bay Community group gives withering assessment of Augusta-Margaret River council

A coastal residents’ group has offered a harsh indictment on the reigning council, recommending its members not back Paula Cristoffanini for the presidency nor incumbent member Kylie Kennaugh for another term. Instead, the Gracetown-Cowaramup Bay Community group has endorsed Shire deputy president Julia Meldrum for her presidential bid and recommended mostly new faces to the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River council. In a missive sent to members by chair Richard Muirhead, the community group offered voting instructions — including how to vote if members chose not to research candidates themselves. The memo also reiterated concerns about former property developer Reg Gillard, who Mr Muirhead said should not be supported for any reason. “Whilst Paula Cristoffanini has worked hard over her recent term as president, we are disappointed with the lack of action and follow through on promises and commitments that have been made by the council,” Mr Muirhead said. “We also feel the executive of the Shire needs a firmer hand. “It has sometimes seemed to Laurie (Keene) and myself in meetings that it was the executive, rather than the councillors, who dictate outcomes. “I know other communities such as Gnarabup have also felt this.” Mr Muirhead noted Cr Cristoffanini was supported as a councillor, but Cr Meldrum was preferred for the presidency. “We believe Julia Meldrum . . . has the experience, tenacity and drive to change these settings and lead a refreshed group of councillors towards better, more timely outcomes,” the group president said. “She has also attended various significant community meetings and shown interest and support for a number of issues of importance to all coastal communities, including Gracetown. “She is clearly committed and not afraid of hard work.” Cr Meldrum did not respond to Times questions about her endorsement. However, Cr Cristoffanini said electors had plenty of resources to make their own decisions. “I am pleased to see efforts being made to get our community to vote in the current local government elections and providing information as to the changes being introduced to these elections,” she said. Candidate Reg Gillard told the Times he was displeased no one from the Gracetown group had contacted him directly to air their claims. He rejected any suggestions he might have a conflict of interest due to his soon-to-expire role with Development WA and believed there was nothing planned for Gracetown in terms of development that would cause him any problem as a councillor. While Margaret River Coastal Residents Association president Adrian Wilson declined to comment on his group’s advice to Gnarabup-Prevelly members, he told the Times residents should “research the candidates and make an informed vote”. “Rapid population growth, increasing development pressure combined with climate change has the potential to profoundly affect our region,” he said. “It is very important to get the right people as elected members on our Shire council to ensure proper stewardship for our unique and increasingly threatened environment.” Mr Wilson did echo the Gracetown group’s concern about elected members not taking charge. “Too often in local government, the executive set the agenda,” Mr Wilson said. “A strong, intelligent Shire council will ensure ratepayers’ interests are represented as per the Local Government Act.” The Gracetown missive said Cr Kennaugh would not “deliver to the same level as Julia”. The group recommended newcomer Greg Boland, business owner Melissa d’Ath, and Augusta’s Nicki Jones as fresh faces for council.