Former Bass Coast mayor and departing councillor reflects on the achievements, the surprises, the frustrations, the naysayers, and the challenges ahead.

Bass Coast Post: When you decided to stand in 2016, what did you hope to achieve?
Pamela Rothfield: My campaign in 2016 was based on a Better Deal for the Island. I believed, being an “outsider looking in”, that Phillip Island and San Remo did not receive equity in relation to the investment in capital works compared to the rates paid. Once on the “inside” I pushed for the only way I could see to secure decent capital works projects – through advocacy as Council just did not have the funds. ​

The foreshore committee is doing a fantastic job down there to try and save the foreshore. They’re getting in there and using their own equipment. What we saw was fantastic in regards to the walks they’ve built there and repaired.
 
But it is so hard to hold these members of the public responsible without catching them red handed. I ask the public to step forward.
 
If you see your neighbours doing the wrong thing, please contact the council.
 
This is an edited transcript of Cr Bruce Kent’s monthly report at Bass Coast Shire Council’s monthly meeting on Wednesday.

Councillor accuses Bass Coast Council of "authoritarian" leadership in its declaration of a climate emergency. ​

​By Cr Les Larke
 
COUNCIL decided not to rescind the climate emergency governance resolution of 21 August 2019 or allow debate thereon. In that regard, Council had been called upon to show leadership in relation to climate change. I agree, and let me illustrate the difference between two styles of leadership, namely autocratic and democratic leadership.