Council 'deliberately targeting parents in school zones': Letters to the Editor, June 17

I am writing to express my concern at the targeting of Queanbeyan parents for revenue raising purposes by the Queanbeyan council. My daughter attends Queanbeyan Public School on Isabella Street. I, and other parents with children attending the school, have always had difficulty finding sufficient parking spots to park and drop off our children. Recently, I received a $425 fine in the mail from the council for "stopping on or near a pedestrian crossing" in Isabella Street. I was understandably shocked.

The following week I observed a Queanbeyan council vehicle drive down Isabella Street at 8.45am whilst the passenger took photos of many vehicles in the street. These photos are then used as evidence to issue infringement notices.

I absolutely take offence at the way in which the council is conducting this activity and I believe that Queanbeyan residents would be outraged if they were aware of this. Firstly, the council does not provide sufficient parking spots in and around school zones for parents to park when dropping off and collecting children. Then, they send a "mobile ticket revenue machine" in the form of a council vehicle down the street at peak drop off and collection times, to prey on the parents who have nowhere to park. Thirdly, the council does not even issue the ticket in person which would help to educate parents about what they are doing incorrectly. Finally, the amount of the fine is absolutely disproportionate to the offence. It is much higher than some speeding offences for example.

The point of this is that the council is deliberately targeting parents in school zones where parking is at a minimum because it generates high levels of revenue for them.

It also appears to me that the amount of revenue now dictates where QCC direct their 'policing' efforts, rather than the severity of the crime type, which is what council should really be focussing on. I think this is a disgrace and Queanbeyan residents should not stand for it.

Concerned resident of Queanbeyan

Who cares?

It was a boost for Peter Hendy, to have his photograph in the local paper. His low profile, practical invisibility, over his three-years, oft prompted the query as to who Eden-Monaro's MHR was! Brownie points gained from Howard, for his development input to failed Work Choices, render Hendy, strongly supported by Senator Seljia, no friend of low-paid, subsistence, penalty-rate dependent workers. While he may express satisfaction at having assassinated his then leader Abbott, to enthrone Macquarie banker, Turnbull, the outcome of the blood-letting may not have been worth the agony, as nothing, except the leader changed (For whom the bellwether tolls, CT, 11 June, p.3).

The initial meteoric opinion pools have since evaporated, horrifyingly. Mentioning broadband might be negative as electors will remember it was Turnbull who, cost saving, squeezed the magic of fiberoptic into anachronistic copper, creating a clumsy mongrel for which few are "grateful".

Neither major party candidate addressed the issue of global warming. Neither mentioned the growing inequality, in a nation where the "fair go" is a mere illusion. Global corporations ripping off Australians by making obscene profits, using the country's infrastructure to do so, while paying no tax, makes Turnbull's policy - costing $50b - to reduce corporate tax, an obscenity. Corruption among, and greedy gouging by, politicians, heavily into negative gearing, claiming lodging allowances for travelling across town or living in each others homes, paying mortgages from parliamentary allowances, taking tax-payer funded holidays and helicopter rides(!), makes for a cynical electorate, and nostalgia for democracy.

Albert M. White, Queanbeyan

Sour grapes

I disagree with Brian (Qbn Age June 10, 2016). Tim is the right person to run both councils, I believe it is "sour grapes" with Brian Brown as he has now lost his power base, to try to run the Queanbeyan Council. Tim ran a bigger organisation than the two small councils he is now running. The organisation he was responsible for was the NSW Ambulance Service, which covers all of NSW and there were no problems with Tim running the service, I was the OIC at Wagga Wagga, prior to my retirement and I never had any problems with Tim, in fact it was the reverse. When there were problems, they were identified and rectified.

Robert Callahan, retired NSW Ambulance Station Officer

Take notice

Sue Whelan (as reported on June 10) has a point - a local Administrator comes with local knowledge. The downside is also obvious - they come with baggage, both in terms of their public perception and their own pre-existing ideas of what is right, for one of the former council areas at least. To perform the role to the highest standard, such a person would need the reputation and wisdom of King Solomon.

Sadly, one of the Administrator's first concrete actions is to try to greatly reduce public participation in his "Council Meetings". Queanbeyan residents may see the proposals as an increase or no change. However, they are a huge reduction on the arrangements in Palerang Council, arrangements the Administrator is obliged to comply with (until he can change them). So far, his compliance has been questionable.

He also plans to reduce transparency by limiting access to audio recordings of council meetings, freely available pretty much forever in Palerang days. Yet Goulburn, Eurobodalla and Kiama Councils have live webcasting of their meetings, and videos are available to download pretty much in perpetuity. The enormous area of the QPRC not only justifies but necessitates live webcasting and video recording for watching later.

I wish I could be more optimistic, but unless a representative LRC is appointed (it hasn't), AND the Administrator takes its advice, it's going to be a long 15 months. My application for the LRC is on my Facebook page - search for Ex-Councillor Peter Marshall. Of course, not being associated with the Liberal or National Parties, nor supporting the amalgamation, my application was rejected.

Former Palerang councillor Peter Marshall, Captains Flat