OVERVIEW

“ …those who have caused the problem, cannot fix it”

Background

Reuben Rose’s independent group is standing for council because we believe that the council is dysfunctional as evidenced by its inability to offer core services within its budget. A simple principle in business is that those who have caused the problem, cannot fix it. New councillors are required to bring fresh eyes to Snowy Monaro Regional council and ensure that the council is functioning efficiently and effectively.

How to Vote:

Vote for our group (Group F) headed by Reuben Rose, by putting 1 above the line (there are a large number of individual candidates.

Mission - “Back to Basics”

We have a simple platform: Back to Basics – reduce rates, fix the roads and get rid of the rubbish ie ensure that the basic functions of council are prioritized. Currently, these seem to have been lost in a bureaucratic morass.

1. Fresh eyes. Our group will bring fresh eyes to current council structure and function to ensure that the most important roles of council (eg road repair and maintenance) are met within budget.

2. Saying “no” to bright ideas. Recently, the council was provided with the idea of spending $50 million on new council chambers. Saying “no” to ill-conceived plans to spend money is a critical function of councillors.

3. Effective governance. Ensure that the council executive is held accountable and that council provides effective oversight.

• More effective accountability lines between council and executive. The councillors must control quality and quantity of information- timeliness quality and scope.

• Council papers are often hundreds of pages long which is unacceptable for effective oversight. Proposals need to be no more than a 2 page cover note plus 5 of explanation.

• Assessment of the competence and adequacy of resourcing of staff. Council staff need to present to the councillors and the planning and budgeting cycle should be overseen.

• Councils can become factional. People are not on the council to represent sectional interests - decisions are made for the benefit of the community.

• Areas that need more consideration need to be investigated more deeply using subcommittees. These subcommittees would oversight more complex issues.

• Transparency in council communication. Currently council is anything but transparent.

4. Review of council programs function and budget. It is likely that as a huge bureaucracy was created with council amalgamation, there is duplication and also ineffective programs. A detailed review is required with removal of programs that have been ineffective.

5. Devolution. We think that devolved organizations, responsive to their local communities, are most effective in meeting community needs. There are huge differences in the requirements of communities around Bombala, Jindabyne, Berridale and Cooma, for example. De- amalgamation is the most effective way of making council more effective and responsive.

CANDIDATE INFORMATION (GROUP F)

Reuben Rose grew up in a farming family on the Monaro. After practising as a veterinarian in New Zealand and regional Australia, he had a career as a veterinary educator and equine veterinarian at the University of Sydney where he was Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science. After taking over as Dean, Reuben was immediately tasked with finding solutions to looming budget crises and reviewing outcomes which were no longer effective in the broader market. Taking an innovative approach to cutting waste, identifying the most important deliverables, and concentrating on excellence where it was most needed, Reuben’s success led to subsequent managerial roles and becoming Chair of a group of Sydney CEOs.

Reuben remains an Emeritus Professor. He also has had senior roles managing R&D at Meat and Livestock Australia and the Rural Industries Research and Development Program. He also chaired a group of CEOs in Sydney, providing mentorship and strategy advice. He has been farming on the family farm near Dalgety since 2006 and doing consulting work.

Chris Chan Chris Chan is a local businessman who fell in love with the region as a child when visiting with his Sydney-based school. With determination, he built and sold businesses in Sydney when the opportunity came to return to the area and undertake small-acre farming with his family.

The region has held a special place in his heart for more than 30 years and he is committed to seeing the same beauty, freedom and spirit inspire others for many years to come

Sidonie Carpenter is a horticulturalist who moved to the Snowy-Monaro region several years ago. She has a long-established and successful business as a landscape designer and now runs a small farming enterprise near Jindabyne. Sidonie is well-known in the local community and committed to seeing more responsiveness to the community and accountability within the council.

Stuart McKenzie has established a farm near Berridale and is a software engineer who has been part of a successful business enterprise. He has extensive experience in software design in Australia and overseas and now is committed to regenerative farming in the region. He believes that ratepayers must see more accountability and transparency in council decisions and focus on its core business.

Shawny Joynt has run a successful business in Jindabyne for the last 22 years. She has qualifications in science, business and law. She ran for election to council in the last elections and fell just short of achieving sufficient votes. Like others in the group, Shawny loves our region and wants to see council providing better services and more transparency in decision-making.

Jeremy Meeks runs a farming business near Jindabyne and has had a long association with business and agriculture. He is a CPA and has been the chief financial officer for a large farming organization. As a qualified accountant, Jeremy believes that it is essential that council undergoes a forensic audit to ensure financial accountability.