Sophie Conlon
ELECTED members at the City of Mount Gambier have delayed making a decision on whether or not the council should become an affiliate member of the South Australian Forest Products Association (SAFPA).
It was recommended at the May council meeting the city join the the association to support the forest industry in Mount Gambier and contribute to economic, environmental and community development, but councillors did not vote with the recommendation.
Council chief executive Sarah Philpott said SAFPA approached the council with their new membership option, which would cost council $3000 annually.
She said the membership was for parties with an association and interest in forestry, rather than industry partners.
Mayor Lynette Martin said she was in favour of joining the association and thought it would be a good opportunity for council.
Councillor Kate Amoroso questioned if it was in council’s best interest to join a lobby group at a cost to ratepayers.
“Just a couple of questions I want to clarify, mainly if they were a lobby group and whether this was something in the past that council has done for lobby group,” she said.
Ms Philpott confirmed SAFPA was a self-described lobby, advocacy and policy organisation.
“In terms of councils participation in other groups I have been racking my brain since you asked the question earlier, and probably the most recent one I can think of is our decision to join with the Regional Australia Institute Alliance and that was considered by council,” she said.
“We have various other associations with things like the Chamber of Commerce and Women in Business.”
Cr Amoroso said she thought council should have a presentation from SAFPA before they make their decision and from this the motion was amended.
Council instead voted in favour of deferring the decision until they could become better informed.
