A DECISION to live stream Mount Gambier City Council meetings remains up in the air following just 0.2pc of the city’s population responding to an online survey about the proposal.
The survey received just 58 responses with 33 in favour of live streaming and 25 against.
Addressing the survey, councillor Kate Amoroso said she had feedback complaining the survey was too hard.
“The most common comment I received from the community was the council survey was extremely difficult to navigate through and most gave up before submitting their view,” Cr Amoroso said.
“There are those who may not have access to a computer nor the skills to work out the process of the survey.
“The purpose of the live streaming was purely to give the community a chance to learn more about the proceedings of local government.”
Cr Amoroso said council was a “progressive council which should be built on transparency”.
“This is what the community expects and this is what the community deserves,” Cr Amoroso said.
“This was always the main concern behind my original question earlier this year when I asked about the cost to live stream to the council’s Facebook page.
“I would like to reinforce my position as it was never my intention to have such a significant financial impact on the community.”
The survey found 29 respondents were still interested in watching council meetings online after being made aware of the estimated cost of up to $30,000 for equipment.
Only four respondents indicated they would not be interested in viewing meetings online after considering the possible financial implications.
Cr Steven Perryman said the concept was great, but added council was not “state or federal government”.
“We are not emergency services where we need sign language and we are not state or federal government where we need high technology – this was a simple request that began as a mouse and grew into an elephant,” Cr Perryman said.
Mayor Lynette Martin highlighted the importance of council transparency, pointing out another full public gallery during the meeting.
“I do sometimes wonder about the community interest surrounding the very low vote yet I do believe we are a transparent council as everything is on our website,” Mayor Martin said.
“I do not believe however the survey results gives us the authority to spend that amount of money on a service that received such a low vote.”
Cr Ben Hood said the process was important for council to ask the question.
“We got some great feedback from the community but unfortunately we only saw 0.2pc of the population come back to us on the issue,” Cr Hood said.
“We have informed the community in a transparent and engaging way and as a council we must make a decision on the information we have at hand but I do not believe there is much community interest.
“I do believe that technology such as live streaming would be great to have in chamber but until the community tells us differently we cannot spend this money.”
It is expected council will discuss the issue further before making a decision on the future of live streaming.
