Moreland Councillors need to connect personally with community says Residents Assoc

MELBOURNE, Australia - Dec. 20, 2021 - PRLog -- As a year of unprecedented challenges and difficulties of living with covid and lockdowns comes to an end, Moreland Councillors (with the exception of Cr Sue Bolton) have not provided Fawkner residents an opportunity to meet personally via community / town hall events since they were elected over twelve months ago said Fawkner Residents Association (FRA) founder Mr Joe Perri.

"Since their election, Councillors have signed off budgets, approved increase in rates and are currently in the process of considering a new name for Moreland and a change to the most fundamental of Council services – rubbish / waste collection".

Commenting further Perri said, "Because of pre-council election covid restrictions, residents were denied the opportunity to personally meet, listen and engage with candidates via 'town hall' events".

There's no substitute for personal connection and two-way dialogue between Councillors and residents as they facilitate the exchange of insights into the issues facing Council and those that concern residents and community groups affirmed Perri.

Hence, the need for all Councillors (not just those representing the Northeast Ward) to have regular, well-publicised resident / town hall events.

Discussions with Federal MP for Wills, Peter Khalil are well advanced for two joint events in Q1 next year in Fawkner with the FRA.

Peter is keen to provide both residents and business owners a federal / national update, a Wills perspective and most importantly – to hear from local constituents in his electorate.

Details of the two events will be announced as soon as arrangements have been finalised.

Perri concluded, "Although today's fast paced world utilises technology via teleconferences, smart phones and social media to facilitate communication – in a municipality as diverse as Moreland, the human, personal connection is still an imperative for Councillors and Council to gauge the mood of the community or obtain support for the implementation of new programs and initiatives".

Issued by the Fawkner Residents Association

Media enquiries:      Mr. Joe Perri

Mobile:  +61 412 112 545   Email:  jperri@joeperri.com.au

About the Fawkner Residents Association

The Fawkner Residents Association was established in April 2017 as an advocacy group to provide the residents of Fawkner and northern suburbs a platform to voice concerns regarding the activities of the Moreland City Council and the impact of high-density development.

Over the past four years – from a base of zero, the group has grown steadily and now has 1161 members with over 700 joining in the last 17 months.

What makes the membership result so remarkable is that it was done without a website, newsletter, marketing campaign or membership drive.  Facebook is the main means of communication and engagement, and interaction between members.