Cr Rose vs Magical Thinking | #201.3

Contrasting Visions for Your Rates

Cr Rose vs Magical Thinking | Contrasting Visions for Your Rates #201.3

At a recent Snowy Monaro Council meeting, two distinct approaches to fiscal responsibility and public engagement were on full display.

Cr Davis struck a curious note, suggesting that "community confidence comes down to us having confidence in the Council and expressing that well with a positive outlook."

It's a sentiment more suited to an episode of My Little Pony than a council chamber—particularly in a region where rates have increased by more than 50%. Rather than pushing for structural reform or financial rigour, her message appeared to rest on the hope that optimism alone might convince residents everything is fine.

Cr Stewart, on the other hand, lent his support to Cr Rose’s motion, agreeing that transparency and genuine public engagement are essential.

“The more information we can get out to the community… the better for everybody.”

He acknowledged the importance of explaining the reasoning behind Council’s decisions and ensuring the public is informed—not gaslit.

Cr Rose offered a calm, reasoned, and reality-based alternative:

“I will be against special rate variations unless I can be shown well and truly that we’ve got our house in order.”

He emphasized that it’s unreasonable to ask the community to carry further financial burden while the Council itself fails to demonstrate measurable efficiency. Rose also highlighted the need for early modelling of revenue scenarios and active communication with the public, noting the pushback from his community about the rate rises.

In short, Cr Rose is arguing for evidence, efficiency, and early engagement—not blind faith in bureaucratic spin, magical sparkles, or glitter.