Web costs spark debate

The Shire of Augusta Margaret River’s two most recently elected councillors have lost a bid to defer costly redevelopment plans for the Shire’s website. A debate at last Wednesday’s meeting also exposed the fault lines between minority conservatives and the so-called “green” councillors now able to muster a majority vote under new Shire president Paula Cristoffanini. Newcomer Cr David Binks flagged his concerns over the proposed cost to engage a tendered website developer but lost a vote to defer the item amid procedural hiccups which seemed to anger former Shire president Ian Earl. At night’s end, all seven councillors backed the proposal in which 0more than $126,000 would be spent on the website overhaul. “It’ll certainly be a much improved experience for our customers,” deputy Shire president Julia Meldrum said. Cr Kylie Kennaugh noted the project had already “cost us a lot of money” and needed to be delivered in full. However Cr Binks, supported by fellow newbie Tracey Muir, wanted the spend delayed until pending workshops on the Shire’s long-term financial plan showed how the expensive project met the local government’s priorities. Cr Binks said he supported the website redevelopment but during subsequent debate — and confusion as to whether other members also wanted to defer the item — Cr Earl criticised the new members for not being across the project. Cr Binks, in turn, called a point of order instructing his colleague to stick to debating the item, which proved ineffective. “We can’t hold up the project and the business of council,” Cr Earl said. “We all have to get across this quickly.” The council report noted “essential” and “required” parts of the redesign totalled about $166,000, but compromises were made. The Shire has undertaken community consultation on the website already, with the project slated to finish mid-2022, and features as a commitment in the Shire’s 2021-25 corporate plan.