11 0 obj A Byabarra farmer has taken his complaints against Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's handling of its unsealed road network to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). "These 14 complaints have cost us (council) $51,000. While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. xc`````z f2 council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au Mail Reach us by posted mail. Some content on this page may not display correctly. Part 2: Staff strategies for responding to unreasonable conduct, Part 3: Communication and unreasonable conduct, Part 4: Management responsibilities and supporting staff, Part 5: Restricting and controlling access, Effective complaint management systems workshop, Managing unreasonable conduct by a complainant workshop, Public interest disclosures management training, Supporting young people to make complaints and advocate for systems change workshop, Child Death Review Team / Reviewable Deaths, Submissions to Parliamentary Committees and other bodies, Public Interest Disclosures Annual Reports / PID Steering Committee, Annual reports relating to former functions, Monitor operation of the Mandatory Disease Testing Act, Oversee public interest disclosures (whistleblowing), Email or post this page in social media sites, increase the chance of getting a better outcome, let agencies and service providers know there are problems, and help them improve their services, provide you with an explanation for why something has happened. Ask a question, lodge a service request, report a local issue or provide feedback through an online form. We acknowledge the Birpai people, the traditional owners of the land in which we work and live, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. "If we don't know, or can't analyse the inside of these complaints, we will never understand whether what is said is true.". Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings and refresh the page. This is a robbery of $51,000 of community money by complaints that should never occur in a council, but they have," Cr Pinson said. We can help people who have been unfairly treated by community services that are run or funded by the government. "What I think is shocking and disgraceful is the process. We review the information you give us and decide what action to take. 12 0 obj endobj There are many benefits of making a complaint and telling someone about your problem. The new policy has new sections which detail the policy Principles, Responsibilities and now includes a Flowchart which depicts what happens we we receive a complaint and how it is managed. "In line with the Procedures for the Administration of the Code of Conduct Part 11, council is required to report annually the total number of code of conduct complaints made about councillors and the general manager under the code of conduct in the year to September," the statement said. Details of all registered JP's in our region can be accessed via the NSW Communities & Justice website. Were keen to hear what you think about the following draft policies: Were working on a broader customer experience strategy and your thoughts and opinions about how we can do better will guide our approach. A customer request is when a customer rings or writes or fills out a request online to ask us to do something - like fix a road or ask for us to address some maintenance. )N}R%$LtE^z4;{zUn(qmkR\1ZAEDy4.*5 Crime in Port Macquarie. Safety in Port Macquarie - Numbeo Send us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au, Reach us by posted mail.PO Box 84, Port Macquarie NSW 2444. Customer Service. MidCoast Council had two complaints and spent $0 investigating; ultimately, none of the complaints breached the Code. What happens after you make a complaint. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, sea and community. "If you look objectively at the process they (ratepayers) would be shocked at what went on," Cr Levido said. HWAn$7+({=RLv,r%Hv>kyk~v[u=q_b7}.8#_`n\iulGZ2rC'2sACf8Ja-FG,G6>UPmXZ;qAB[OoI(pfI/~cw/">iFB('O2@y" 4_BW%l.?/n{.`h;KW:lTW%ej'D|k')J%LAlp`r'v&,#X K$>lMX;`vyH3~A9A:ERS6Qy%t0 n":kO:% 6xEx9Kg,Ib.1K`vc|K]DyD@S%S2;8=ki zoE*0]J)H Lismore Council recorded the most complaints with 52 recorded costing $82,614 in investigation costs, resulting in two breaches of the Code. If your issue is an EMERGENCY,call us directly on (02) 6581 8111for issues such as: E: council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au We care about the protection of your data. asbestos, chemicals in water). For the latest COVID-19 news, updates and advice from the Australian Government, visit Australia.gov.au, Street Address: Port Macquarie Local Court, 22-26 Murray Street, Port Macquarie, Phone: 1300 352 000 (National Enquiry Centre). Calls received outside of business hours are diverted to our after hours call centre. Let us know your thoughts on Council's project and activities using our online community engagement hub, Have Your Say. Port Macquarie NSW 2444. all the different ways you can get in touch with us. Ph: 6581 8111, 17 Burrawan Street Port Macquarie court list - Federal Circuit Court of Australia "He wouldn't tell me what the complaints were or who made them. "Rr_NGvN"wV}?Tq1m[@b-e?gL!0~\[ 0ILF:.8QN8H$F} R\t]`9ILvg>)0fnym,2P{4:"knhd2~KmKMj?MDM S9HkW=Neb?ZQ841 *}igmRT|"h$R6p 7~'f6^FX' u=kMUg>o7*yKP &O@,jA:oj!9$iK7MI?v`XC_ yc3xqGxz{Z4,~8A phM2,$^v!YK_k>f'$K8_u 0'yr5~1 4!1R-P0VB\;]('q_c!$!vk?.Ig1GZFP>BKHQ3Grvn E_2e#,b\9S8 kmvfJ~7#Xfss@/XHQ]s^0meyi5=oDj9k?QtP1yW/>SK_ {I^S5J"V. 10 0 obj Not to be confused with customer requests, complaints tell us about customer dissatisfaction with either. "A lot of time, effort and expense goes into investigating these complaints but the reality is the investigation often results in very little action taken. Any further enquiries, please contact Councils Group Manager Customer Experience and Communications, Jane Ree on telephone (02) 6581 8111 or email to council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au. College to strengthen focus on opportunity in 2020, Top 10 sporting moments from 2019 around the Hastings, 'Exceptional year': flying fox numbers skyrocket at Port Macquarie camp, Enfield tops the local charge, but not by enough to take out Junior Surf Pro, Surf, skate and music attracts thousands to fundraising festival, Tale of two halves, Pirates brilliant in the first, ordinary in the second, Pop culture characters take centre stage at Cosplay event, 'Clover's Law': Timbertown doubles down on no dog policy after pet's death, Terms and Conditions - Digital Subscription, Terms and Conditions - Newspaper Subscription. Ph: 6581 8111, 17 Burrawan Street If we can't handle your complaint, we'll tell you who can help. << /Linearized 1 /L 53399 /H [ 736 147 ] /O 11 /E 50188 /N 1 /T 53153 >> David Crosbie. ax3r:=I1T!-ZkJT.gY3t]heS$R6?tXa]_;;_;?4X`j?4X?+\/H_ky|UYlY~vPt>_Z 3A%{{R0 "I agree with Cr Levido that in the great majority of cases complaints come from the community and not councillors and that there must be something done to make this a more reasonable and lawful process," Cr Intemann said. endstream Georges River Council spent more than $201,000 investigating 17 complaints of which only three breached the Code. Making a public interest disclosure (whistleblowing), Information in Easy Read and in other languages, Handling public interest disclosures (whistleblowing), PID responsibilities for public authorities, PIDs and the Government Information (Public Access) Act, Subscribe to the public interest disclosures newsletter, Automated decision-making in the public sector, Administrative Law and automated-decision making, Implementing automated decision-making systems, Managing unreasonable conduct by a complainant. This is subject to a Judge or Registrar's usual discretion to determine that in particular cases, only certain people should be present . Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. asbestos, chemicals in water) 13 0 obj Copyright Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia 2022, Divorce, separation, children, finances and property and other family law matters, The Court can review some decisions made under the Migration Act 1958, Fair work, bankruptcy, admiralty, consumer law, administrative law, human rights, intellectual property, and other matters. Port Macquarie and Surrounds Community Notice Board. - Facebook Cr Levido asked general manager Craig Swift-McNair directly if he could confirm how many complaints were made against him, the results of any investigations against him as a councillor and whether there had been any breach of his duties identified. Home - Port Macquarie Hastings Council - Logo. Customer requests are the main reason that customers contact us. x1`vibTp&08#XI#7L%NOX=~|6{\q}M/_IL)fqqX K Make a call, email us, find the right form or visit the right webpage by clicking the buttons below. Part 1: What is unreasonable conduct by a complainant? 17 Burrawan Street Port Macquarie NSW 2444. We have reviewed our Customer Complaints Policy to make sure we are clearly communicating: This helps us to collect all relevant information in the first instance so that we minimise the time to achieve an outcome or let you know of our decision. Two arrested during investigation into Gordon Street hit-and-run crash. We can help you make a complaint. Ask a question, lodge a service request, report a local issue or provide feedback through an online form. x[hgvmP,i " rX6,+&w\:"wS_6z9b@hyO]K7=EHzshy4]Xii]LBXL#wb-uWr[g#tx,kj,-a]L:j:2eVdO4M QBdL/Ws5l/q68>T"B#WVA -\f1q@#N9K?r9`U@GI,q$X0cD%#=Y#A' Index; Crime Index: 36.13: Safety Index: 63.87: Crime rates in Port Macquarie, Australia. <>>> If you work for NSW public sector. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. IT was a $64,000 question that amounted to nothing. ?.ArOqKc+]'5qTe)?x Compare Port Macquarie with: Do you live in Port Macquarie? Court and Crime | Port Macquarie News | Port Macquarie, NSW Making a complaint - NSW Ombudsman We are committed to seeking and receiving feedback and complaints about our services, systems, practices, procedures, operations and complaint handling. stream Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. And it has raised the ire of some councillors who question the validity of the process and the intent of the complainants. Port Macquarie: Council creates new role to weed out old ways 9 0 obj <>stream breaking and regular headlines newsletters, 'Exceptional year': flying fox numbers skyrocket at Port Macquarie camp, Enfield tops the local charge, but not by enough to take out Junior Surf Pro, Surf, skate and music attracts thousands to fundraising festival, Tale of two halves, Pirates brilliant in the first, ordinary in the second, Pop culture characters take centre stage at Cosplay event, 'Clover's Law': Timbertown doubles down on no dog policy after pet's death, Terms and Conditions - Digital Subscription, Terms and Conditions - Newspaper Subscription. IN the last two years, code of conduct complaints against council and councillors have cost Port Macquarie-Hastings ratepayers more than $51,000 in investigation expenses. I gathered there were five complaints and some were about the fact that I spoke in a 'lecturing manner' as I passed criticism on our state and federal members, and that I spoke disrespectfully to the mayor. Level of crime: 34.81: Low: Crime increasing in the past 3 years: 64.25: High: Worries home broken and things stolen: 34.11: Low: Worries being mugged or robbed: Add data for Port Macquarie. CfZE-n% zBEO0} F1a^\*Gk d5H*OxdqdZMU4bs$El"d-MVL[. E: council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au Find information on our council, and their contact details. Confidentiality is important, but seriously I'm not told who lodged the complaint? Contact us for any help on browser support. endobj % 9 Laurie Street Laurieton NSW 2443. <>/PageUIDList<0 211>>/PageWidthList<0 595.276>>>>>>/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/Properties<>>>/Rotate 0/TrimBox[0 0 595.276 841.89]/Type/Page>> >> Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings and refresh the page. Depending on the complaint, the . Port Macquarie NSW 2444. In some cases we need more information and request you contact us directly in these instances. What's your customer experience? | Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Have Type the characters you see in the image below, Connecting to water (Section 305/307 compliance), Works & activities within a public road reserve, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community, Graffiti Management Mural Project - Stage 1 & 2, Building, construction & development forms. Contact us for any help on browser support. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. If your issue is an EMERGENCY, call us directly on (02) 6581 8111 for issues such as: burst water mains sewerage leak tree fallen over the road hazardous pollution issues (e.g. Here areall the different ways you can get in touch with us. endobj Hd5(8p6asnh3;6rc^UgX IbYY"b hm$#%&Fbkao21v2q>V"[5feGG>:0E&i9Q[ao 4)-)GAx^adehd@ ge%){MS?,8gdu`A=~8skq%fG8qp0G^4z/K=A|64QJGAuXhz4qb6.=GLp~{b'auM]4[uX="^f&*p$ZEW7i |R?D M4zC>{kh'n8xWRqG@j Otu0\AadS4F6pdb{aGFt p\, Kc5m'n4V Access unlimited content, the digital versions of our print editions - Today's Paper, as well as the Newcastle Herald app. Post your response to Customer Experience Feedback, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. Bellingen Shire Council had a clean slate. Nambucca Valley Council had one Code of Conduct complaint and spent $120 investigating, however, the complaint was found to not be in breach of the Code. Ph: 6581 8111, 17 Burrawan Street You can report most issues online. Ruby Pascoe. ABN: 11 236 901 601 PO Box 84, Port Macquarie NSW 2444. "It's councils and their communities who are counting the cost of an ineffective and inefficient Model Code of Conduct.". Cr Intemann and Cr Geoff Hawkins requested the general manager make a representation to the Department of Local Government to consider strengthening how the code can be formally enforced, as well as how to provide more detail about the complaint so councils can analyse issues raised and put in place corrective measures if necessary. Police appeal for . . We extend our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who choose to call Port Macquarie Hastings home. Photo: File IT was a $64,000 question that amounted to nothing. /Size 36 /Prev 53154 Please share your thoughts with us on the draft Policies: Your feedback should be received no later than Friday 20 November 2020. Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Search their online public register. $1000 a week is spent on this rubbish.". What are the key differences between the old and new draft policies? Byabarra farmer Steven Gates has lodged a complaint with the Independent Commission Against Corruption against Council over its level of services. Your stories matter to us and so does local journalism. Figures released by the Office of Local Government (OLG) revealed that no complaints had been lodged against Bellingen Council but $64,019 had been spent dealing with Code of Conduct investigations. 8 0 obj endobj Complaints can: You have a right to good services and fair treatment. We support people with disability, Aboriginal peoples and have information in easy English and other languages. Phone: 1300 352 000 (National Enquiry Centre) Hearings can be observed by any member of the public. Kempsey Shire Council, Nambucca Valley Council, Coffs Harbour City Council, MidCoast Council and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council all had at least one complaint. Policy Review - Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Have Your Say This helps us to collect all relevant information in the first instance so that we minimise the time to achieve an outcome or let you know of our decision. For example, a complaint is made if a councillor is accused of finger-pointing or abuse for simply raising a point of order in a meeting, when in fact points of order are allowed. This is subject to a Judge or Registrars usual discretion to determine that in particular cases, only certain people should be present during the hearing, or that certain people are not to be present during the hearing. "There is no doubt that some people use code of conducts as a way to score cheap political points at a significant cost to the council and their community. Access unlimited content, the digital versions of our print editions - Today's Paper, as well as the Newcastle Herald app. the best way to lodge a complaint or a request for service (which is via our website). 7 0 obj Find us at one of our customer service centres. Mayor Peta Pinson also requested the general manager provide the code of conduct complaint statistics since 2016 to the Minister for Local Government. We are publicly exhibiting the Customer Experience Policy, Customer Complaint Policy and Draft Unreasonable Customer Conduct Policy so that any member of the public can provide feedback on any or all of the policies between Friday, 23 October 2020 to Friday, 20 November 2020. Feel free to post community notifications, community events and advertise your business offerings, t Port Macquarie and Surrounds Community Notice Board. Send an email to council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au ; or Post your response to Customer Experience Feedback, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. Hearings can be observed by any member of the public. We extend our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who choose to call Port Macquarie Hastings home. Figures released by the OLG show the number of Code of Conduct complaints rose by 63 per cent from 241 in 2017/18 to 395 in 2019/20. Find out what to do and what information you'll need to provide. Find out what complaints we can help with. As recommended by the NSW Ombudsman, our current complaint policy currently outlines Tiers 1-3 of complaint management but now clearer guidance is given to the different types of complaints and how complaints should be made to ensure we capture information at the first contact which facilitates more efficient resolution. Public Interest disclosures also covers local government, Parliament, and also some private sector operators. The draft Customer Complaints policy will be on exhibition from Wednesday 23 March - Friday 22 April and is available to view in the document library to the right (or below if viewing this page on a mobile device). According to the data, Kempsey Shire Council had five Code of Conduct complaints and spent $1107 investigating, but none of the complaints were found to breach the Code. If you are unhappy with the way you've been treated by a NSW Government agency or community service provider, you can make a complaint. Council's around NSW have seen a significant spike in the number of complaints and the cost to deal with them in the past two years. She asked Mr Swift McNair if he believed that as a result of the investigations into these complaints "things have got better". A further report will be tabled at a future meeting of Council, detailing the submissions received from the public during the exhibition period. endstream In 2016 and 2017, there were no code of conduct complaints for Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. HWK719VUzf!>!vJ-f{,C?V=U&eq;%'^NTFM23wFd:'YauL'wo7)q&MYwUmDmI'U.~>{rS5!ll&8/>#u1HVQ;eV%"4+k,ZmIa7yc/1;ccsA~W7"$stdbsg{q"(1N9*!? You have a right to complain about the services you get. Policies Port Macquarie Hastings Council Deputy mayor Cr Lisa Intemann said if there is no way to "de-identify" information without breaching the confidentiality clause of the code, then there is also no way of putting in place corrective measures to improve behaviour; or even determine if a person, or a group of people, are simply making spurious claims against a councillor. A step-by-step guide to making a complaint. Recently we undertook a significant review of how we deliver service to our customers. /Root 9 0 R :5m x <2>(|m!,..NO1yr?FI ShV0CR6!pgKS@:nki`J_\ec"qJ|qMQpq]@0AnxA0WF \=9}H!c|U'heuNV=02XB,S%1 oz Y$FK),k&%A6Z$'v1:+KN+sUu9~P8)#/gp$5cT78q( }_cY3SZBi&bei4Er8Amb\,"Lt[PQk.^kP{c8>&wK:EA05%WUMdsgdPk% /hXeM.J6Vh_r""8T"f04j1SyTbwYc5Q4%6zsV2n1kd %'|gE{5Wwk_lSFeAg6?QLW(Wg.S^tS!`!~sTtg^o{.Q\ [y!R.1$YS!yGIg endstream Opinion. Contact us - Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Read our Privacy Policy. The cost in dealing with the complaints rose by 66 per cent in the same period from $958,463 to $1,593,416. We can help with rate payments, reporting waste and graffiti, permits and notifications, Council papers, and many other council services. Your feedback should be received no later than Friday 20 November 2020. Complaints can: increase the chance of getting a better outcome help others in similar situations We acknowledge the Birpai people, the traditional owners of the land in which we work and live, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. HW[6Sc1r gndA%|l qX? We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders, past, present and emerging. He also asked if council will inform him of the results of any complaints made against him. "I consider that money has been taken away from important assets to our community. We are working hard to be better at: A key step in this is updating the policies that govern how we deliver service to our customers and how we respond to complaints. There are many benefits of making a complaint and telling someone about your problem. "I'm horrified and our community should be too. In some cases we need more information and request you contact us directly in these instances. These policies are available to download in the document library to the right (or below if viewing this page on a mobile device). What are the key differences between the old and new draft policies? If a member of the public wishes to observe, or listen in to, an electronic hearing, please contact the Chambers of the presiding Judge or Registrar via email by 8.30am on the morning of the hearing. "Whilst council correctly reported zero complaints made about councillors and the general manager during the reporting period 2019-2020; there was an administrative error regarding the financial data accompanying the report, which should have read zero.". Some content on this page may not display correctly. Port Macquarie NSW 2444. And you have a right to complain to the Ombudsman if that doesn't happen. Bail granted to Mid North Coast man charged with selling drugs on dark web, Lehrmann defamation cases survive serious challenge, Two arrested during investigation into Gordon Street hit-and-run crash, Be very wary of politicians sounding the youth crime alarm, Police appeal for information following alleged hit-and-run, pursuit, $30m meth stuffed into duffel bags seized in NSW, 'Media frenzy': Why judge kept Lehrmann application secret, 'Beset by tension': Inquiry hears #MeToo movement likely affected Lehrmann case, Elderly pedestrian critical, police searching for Hilux that 'sped off', Terms and Conditions - Digital Subscription, Terms and Conditions - Newspaper Subscription. Office of Local Government release Model Code of Conduct complaints investigations costs November 17 2021 - 3:00pm Council's all around NSW have seen a significant spike in the number of complaints and the cost to deal with them in the past two years. If you look objectively at the process they (ratepayers) would be shocked at what went on. That was three months ago and I have heard nothing since. One of them was justified to the extent it has been referred to someone else, one was knocked out at the beginning and 12 more have been investigated and found there was nothing to them," Cr Intemann said. k9Q4X\NJmF hC1l':nyz"U+A ]L\j>FeT4 o[.HR7 e'N\nB92I@EEi#i 5u-/x,:D1U(2[sjZ:gf)SZ`T+}#K7PRI?djgi[B"M&Q*O^f jhE You can report most issues online. "If we can't have a de-identified analysis of those complaints we will never understand if those complaints are simply vexatious. endstream %PDF-1.7 Shadow Minister for Local Government, Greg Warren, said a major overhaul of the Model Code of Conduct was need to ensure the system was efficient, effective and not used for political point scoring purposes at the expense of councils and their communities. A statement issued by Bellingen Shire Council confirmed this had been an administrative error. Nobody has come back and told me the result of that. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council had four complaints and spent investigating $2650; after investigation, none of the complaints were found to have been a breach. endobj See our latest news, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube or subscribe to one of our newsletters. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has announced further workplace reform changes with firebrand CEO Clare Allen appointing new internal ombudsman to the team. Advertisement Ad Local News Port Macquarie court list. /ID [<90B104942E7EBB43B39C2C74C74D0277><36332D45332D39352D42312D43412D43>] Access unlimited content, the digital versions of our print editions - Today's Paper, as well as the Newcastle Herald app. endobj PDF Revised Customer Complaints Policy 14 0 obj << /Type /XRef /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 109 /W [ 1 2 1 ] /Index [ 7 29 ] "After that, I got a five page rambling document that was a record of the matter. endobj In 2018 there were two and in 2019, 14 complaints were lodged. I corrected it and advised of what I had actually said. Bellingen Shire Council was listed among councils across the state for expenditure on investigating complaints. Be very wary of politicians sounding the youth crime alarm. If you have a story to share, email tracey.fairhurst@austcommunitymedia.com.au. the best way to lodge a complaint or a request for service (which is via our website). Enter your search term and click on Apply to see results, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the Courts: Find out how our services are being delivered and how you can access them.