NEWS DESK
Watchdog barks - bite unknown Neil Walker neil@mpnews.com.au A REPORT released by the Victorian Ombudsman this month revealed 107 complaints about Mornington Peninsula Shire were made to the watchdog over a 12-month period but council and the Ombudsman’s office will not reveal how many of the complaints were investigated or substantiated. The Ombudsman’s annual report released on Monday 16 October listed the number of complaints about each of Victoria’s 79 councils it received during the 2016-17 financial year. Mornington Peninsula Shire was listed as the 9th most complained about council — up from 22nd in 2015-16 with 62 complaints — to the state watchdog that has the power to investigate state government departments and agencies, councils and statutory authorities. The News asked the Ombudsman’s office how many of the 107 complaints about the shire were investigated and substantiated but it said the information could not be provided due to legislative constraints. A statement provided from Ombudsman Deborah Glass said complaints about councils “range from issues such as parking infringements, rates and how complaints are handled, to improper conduct and poor governance”. “We encourage councils to ‘learn to love complaints’ as each complaint is free feedback about what someone thinks,” Ms Glass said. “We have also issued a good practice guide for complaint handling in local government to help local councils do it better as, all too often, we see complaints about how a council has handled
someone’s complaint. “We have also recommended that the government change the law so it is easier for agencies to apologise without exposing themselves to legal action. Saying sorry is often the most effective way councils and other public bodies can resolve a dispute with a member of the public.” Shire governance manager Joseph Spiteri said: “Council is unable to comment on the specific nature of the complaints, the degree of investigation undertaken by the Ombudsman’s office and the specific findings of the Ombudsman”. “All questions relating to the substantiation of complaints, the relevant subject matter or department will need to be referred to the Ombudsman’s office for comment.” Neighbouring Frankston and Kingston councils were more forthcoming. The Ombudsman’s office received 71 complaints about Frankston in 2016-17 and 97 complaints about Kingston during the same period. Both councils confirmed the Ombudsman’s office contacted the respective councils about 11 complaints each and all had been resolved with no further action needed. “Mornington Peninsula Shire council takes all complaints seriously and has effective complaint management processes in place to investigate and respond in a timely manner,” Mr Spiteri said. When releasing its 2016-17 annual report last week, the shire trumpeted it “is committed to transparent reporting and accountability to the community”. Casey Council was the most complained about council to the Ombudsman’s office in 2016-17 with 139 complaints.
Juice Jars in-store now
Wow factor: Beleura’s head gardener Richard Smith with his “delicious” lily flower. Picture: Supplied
Flower takes early cue to bloom A GIANT Australian lily flower in the palm garden at Beleura has been monitored over the past month by aficionados. The gardens surrounding the elegant mansion, built in 1863 with interesting antiques and structural features, are open for tours and events. Like an alien Triffid, the Doryanthus palmeri is related to the better-known Gymea Lily (Doryanthus excelsa), whose torch-like, red flower heads dominate many of Melbourne’s roundabouts. Head gardener Richard Smith said the single flower head “just kept expanding” in size so that, now, several kilos of orange-red flowers are close to drooping on the ground under their own weight. The mature plant was brought to Beleura a
decade ago and had not yet flowered, so this year’s emergence was unexpected. Winter rains may have worked to coax the first-ever flower head from a clump of huge, sword-like leaves. Mr Smith said Doryanthus palmeri could take up to 13 years to flower. He said he tasted the nectar by inserting his finger and licking it. “It was perfect, divine nectar!” he said. Beleura Garden volunteers work alongside Mr Smith’s small team to maintain what they say are the “extraordinary breadth and character of the garden rooms”. Beleura benefactor John Tallis was inspired by Italian garden design but the addition of Australian natives in recent years has added to the garden’s allure. Details: visit beleura.org.au or call 5975 2027.
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Mornington News 31 October 2017
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