Campbelltown councillors will have to deal with a bouncer bowled by Mayor George Greiss at next week’s final meeting of the year.
In what is a classic left field move, the mayor has tabled a notice of motion calling for the introduction of the national anthem at the start of meetings.
He told the Voice this week that he used the notice of motion approach for a good reason.
“I’d like to see a robust debate from councillors on whether we should sing Advance Australia Fair before meetings start,’’ he said.
Cr Greiss, pictured above chairing a council meeting earlier this year, said he would like to see the anthem sung as the first order of business – before the general manager reads the council prayer.
However, the mayor doesn’t just want to hear the views of his fellow councillors – his plan includes bringing the public in to voice their opinion the national anthem.
If council votes for the notice of motion next Tuesday night (December 12), the proposal will go on public exhibition.
If no submissions of objection are received during the exhibition period, Advance Australia Fair will become part of council meetings every month from early next year.
xxxxx
Councillor Josh Cotter has tabled a notice of motion calling for action to improve emergency room wait times at Campbelltown Hospital.
He also wants council to advocate to the State and Federal Governments to address the GP shortage in Campbelltown and Western Sydney.
His three part motion also calls on council to seek funding for the development of a community health hub at Glenfield.
xxxxx
In what is a busy last meeting agenda, councillors will also be called to approve plans to send the mayor, general manager and a council officer to Koshigaya, Japan as part of 40th anniversary celebrations of the sister city relationship with Campbelltown in 2024.
A council report says Koshigaya’s mayoral office have advised that it is likely they will visit Campbelltown in April next year.
The Koshigaya chairperson, mayor and general manager, along with support staff, will make up the visiting party.
Our Japanese friends have also extended an invitation to our council to visit Koshigaya in late May or early June for about four days.
The report says that throughout 2024 councillors will be invited to participate in a range of activities across Campbelltown to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the sister city relationship.
“A comprehensive program of community and civic activities to be delivered across the entire year to celebrate this important milestone is currently being developed and will be shared in an upcoming council report.’’
