Shoalhaven Action Campaign Principles Endorsed by Candidates (click to download)
The Shoalhaven Action Campaign promotes accountability, transparency and integrity
in Council decision-making and supports community engagement in policy-making at
the most opportune time. This will result in efficient and effective outcomes for the
long-term social, economic and environmental well-being of the Shoalhaven. To achieve
this goal, SAC will support Councillors that carry out their duties as elected community
representatives within the following principles:
Governance – how Council uses its authority and control in the public interest
- Councillors acknowledge, understand and operate within legislative and corporate governance frameworks, council policy and the public interest.
- Councillors understand and value that an essential element of good local government is respect for the independence of staff in providing apolitical, professional advice.
Transparency – ensuring Council is clear and accountable to the public
- All Council and Committee meetings will be open to the public except when matters concern individual staff or prosecution or where legislation requires the use of closed/ confidential sessions.
- Councillors will be willing and able to publicly explain their decision-making, particularly where it is against professional advice from Council staff or external sources. Councillors’ decision-making will be based on principles of governance, ethics and the wider public interest.
- Details of proposals for the sale of public land, including air space, shall be widely and freely available in sufficient time for considered public participation before decisions are made.
- Councillors will participate in effective two-way communication with all stakeholders and openly declare dealings with developers, builders and contractors over planning and development issues where variation/s to policy are sought.
Participation – ensuring the public have a role in the future of the city
- Councillors will promote the public’s democratic right to participate at the most opportune time in policy making decisions that will shape the future of the city.
- Councillors will endorse policies that reflect community input.
- Councillors will seek public participation to inform appropriate development that reflects community diversity, protects the lifestyle of residents and the natural environment and caters for present and future needs.
Electoral donations – best practice
- All donations to Shoalhaven Action Campaign, or to individual candidates supported by SAC, of more than $1,000 will be declared one week before an election.