ORANGE’S new ratepayers’ group has not been formed with the intention of causing Orange City Council grief, Jeanette Churchill says.
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The inaugural meeting of the Orange Ratepayers’ Association will be held tonight.
It’s the first ratepayers’ association in the city for many years.
“I don’t know if we’ll get masses of people turn up but even if we just get a small number of committed people who have realistic expectations of what we want to do, then I’d be happy,” founding member Janette Churchill said yesterday.
“We haven’t formed the group with the intention of bashing council.
“We just really want to have the opportunity to question them about what they’re doing with ratepayers’ money.
“Accountability and transparency will be the big things we’re going to focus on.
“People are also very concerned about the level of debt the council is getting into so we’ll be looking at that as well.”
The group will have direct access to general manager Garry Styles.
“We will have the opportunity to approach the general manager with any concerns the group might have,” Ms Churchill said.
“There’s strength in numbers.
“Individuals can’t achieve much but a group can do a lot.”
The meeting will be held from 7pm at the Skylight Room in the Orange City Bowling Club.
Membership application forms will be available at the meeting.
Memberships are $3 for adults and $2 for pensioners.
