dismissal dismissal port hastings council february marked end series events involving project initiated new_south_wales coastal town build cultural entertainment centre known locals project initially joint venture management neighbouring shopping centre port central originally expected cost council million late despite centre having opened costs blown million interest likely extend council liability million july public inquiry announced minister local government inquiry reported findings february found council failed provide appropriate financial project management lost control costs project costs harmed council ability provide services amenities community council communications management strategy resulted inadequate consultation public inappropriate regard concerns minister local government dismissed council mayor appointed administrator receiving inquiry report drew critical process maintaining errors accepted fact property development lobby group believed served warning councils stick core responsibilities events continued impact community individuals involved federal election normally safe seat port located mayor endorsed national candidate failed win independent politician state member parliament openly critical council drama period administration voluntary offered staff order improve council financial position community elected representative council mayor replacing administrator appointed background march council met initiate planning centre house visual performing arts civic centre site port central business district recommended project plan developed august created december council approached management neighbouring shopping centre port central possible joint venture site council endorsed negotiations joint venture expected cost million council contributing million joint venture collapsed august council prepared accommodate needs commercial partner project viable decided new centre icon building direction council general manager managed group including mayor deputy mayor costs blew considerably june council unanimously backed project reached million late reached million range factors including council bought demolished neighbouring shops facility big include meeting rooms conference facilities drain built 19th century remarkably good condition discovered archaeologists needed preserved report october announced investigate council financial management try determine properly considered impact added costs functions investigation commenced november conducted section local government act allows director general department investigate aspect council work activities report delivered minister local government concluded council exercise failure scope project recommended minister section public inquiry independent powers held section inquiry necessary step council dismissed believed council exceeded mandate failed consult community led public rally mayor believed centre development exciting time port critical opposition project accusations discontent acknowledged report raised concerns processes project insisted project sound saying press release multi purpose facility provide performers community groups provide conferences meetings provide activities seen harrison told report said council lied community cost arts centre opportunity spin june mayor looking political support public inquiry members dominant council particularly critical actions general purpose standing committee local independent said council instead address findings report stop arguing facts emotional arguments support cautioned getting politicians involved stressing formal legal process inquiry july minister local government announced section inquiry port hastings council project particular regard aspects financial project management project impact council provide services amenities community transparency decisions council appointed administrator commissioner mayor expressed disappointment asserted earlier section investigation faulty believed council management decision making processes days public hearings total submissions released inquiry report february report contained number critical findings key finding council rigorous seeking accurate information project developers supporters failed plan manage project lost control escalating cost result adverse impact works services areas council operation commissioner view able generate projected income opened found community consistently council support group campaign critics communication strategies driven processes council failed meet charter recommended minister civic offices declared vacant administrator appointed changes way councils dealt proposals enacted aftermath report release local government minister concluded february gave choice dismiss council appoint administered serve administrator said development happened reasonable community facility treated council icon built come hell high water regardless cost emphasised view incompetence corruption reason cost reach million interest accounted outgoing mayor criticised dismissal calling property development lobby group believed served warning councils stick core responsibilities late march administrator adopted financial measures listed independent review project september october elections area federal state level gave new forum players controversy member federal seat retired politics july drew standing endorsed candidate emerged major candidates resulting election september major issue won primary vote drew coming preferences old state seat ran attracting vote whilst went win election endorsed national candidate december council announced staff offered voluntary strategy address million deficit faced financial year increasing council rates following day set deadline january clarified positions redundant filled proceeded planned forced track ruled january administrator announced decision step end month largely demands away sydney home days week described project wrong decision council thinking best intentions people experienced planning delivering major capital works replaced role head september community elected mayor form new port hastings council state member elected mayor member dismissed council contest election elected councillor
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council dismissal, 2008