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today27 January 2025
[Updated 6:02am 28/01/2025] Newcastle residents have until Wednesday, 29 January 2025, to submit their views on an independent review of the City of Newcastle’s governance, policies and performance. The review, originally proposed by Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge as an election promise, however comissioned in December 2024 through a motion by Deputy Lord Mayor Callum Pull, has already received more than 500 submissions, an unusually high number that local observers see as a sign of strong public interest in the council’s operations.
Davidson Consulting, a firm with prior local government experience, was appointed without a competitive tender. Council officials say the decision was made for operational reasons, given the company’s earlier work comparing Newcastle and Geelong councils. Facebook critics have argued that bypassing a formal tender raises questions about transparency, prompting calls for a clearer explanation of how the firm was selected.
A key issue is whether the review will focus solely on current council processes or also examine controversies from the past. Lord Mayor Dr Ross Kerridge argues that the review must include the 2023 Neylon Sivo letter writing scandal. This scandal allegedly involved an individual within the City of Newcastle who wrote letters to the Newcastle Herald under false names. These letters were then published in the newspaper, raising concerns about transparency and accountability within the council.
A media release dated 27 January from the City of Newcastle quotes Councillor Pull outlining the review as a forward-looking examination of present policies and procedures, rather than a re-prosecution of old decisions. In the media release, Pull says he emphasises that it is “not a code of conduct investigation or a policy exhibition,” but a project designed to assess whether existing processes are effective. Pull states that any resident is free to raise past matters, and if proper procedure was not followed in a given case, the review can address that. According to Pull, the unanimous vote to support the review demonstrates councillors support for the inquiry’s potential to improve governance in the council.
The Lord Mayor, however, says that he was not consulted about the 27 January 2025 media release, which he says “appears to be an attempt to prematurely narrow the scope” of the investigation. Kerridge notes this release came just days before the public holiday and the upcoming submission deadline, contrasting it with a 13 January statement encouraging residents to help shape the terms of the report. While Pull denies wanting to limit the review, Kerridge’s Facebook followers have accused him of downplaying the importance of examining incidents like Neylon Sivo. Some of the Lord Mayor’s supporters have even called the release misleading or contrary to the intent of council’s initial decision.
Pull told Newy 87.8 via email there isn’t a different stance between him and Kerridge, claiming they share the same aspiration for a comprehensive inquiry to steer policy changes at the council. He says his remarks merely address widespread confusion about whether the review is intended to retry old controversies, rather than examine and improve current governance structures. He also acknowledges the more than 500 submissions already received, pointing to that level of engagement as evidence the community wants meaningful change.
In the midst of these differences, both men encourage residents to lodge submissions before 29 January. Some have reported difficulties with the online portal, prompting Kerridge to urge people to save copies of their responses and ensure they complete each step so their feedback is recorded. Others have questioned how councillors know the volume of submissions, asking whether Davidson Consulting has revealed details that should remain confidential. These queries add to the scrutiny surrounding the appointment of Davidson, which did not go through a tender.
Community criticism of the council has intensified over the past two years, with the Neylon Sivo affair becoming a symbol of concerns about transparency and data security within City of Newcastle. Councillors have also fielded accusations of alleged dysfunction and behind-the-scenes schemes, including alleged efforts to undermine the Lord Mayor’s role. Observers say the independent review’s recommendations, once completed, will be closely watched. Whether it delves extensively into past matters like Neylon Sivo or centres on fine-tuning current processes may depend largely on the content of the public’s submissions.
Despite their apparent differences, both Kerridge and Pull say the ultimate aim is to restore trust in local government. The review’s final scope and the effectiveness of its recommendations may well hinge on how successfully it incorporates a range of perspectives. In urging residents to participate, each argues that well-informed and frank community feedback will be the key to delivering an outcome that addresses long-standing concerns, and lays the groundwork for more transparent governance.
Submissions can be made through the Davidson Consulting portal, with the deadline set for 29 January.
Via this URL: https://davidson.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1B9XUjg6IIzdHPE
Written by: Newy Staff
Newy 87.8 FM is an FM radio station established in 2014 targeting Classic Hits music enthusiasts across Newcastle and The Central Coast, Australia. The station plays 60s 70s and 80s music. The station can be streamed online via this website or smart phone apps such as Tunein. In 2024 we opened a local newsroom dedicated to publishing Newcastle News.
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