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It's an understatement Warrnambool City Council is facing a big task to win back the confidence of ratepayers after recent events.
The council spent $30,000 on engaging consultants to survey residents about a big rates increase after some residents had been vocal in opposing the rise. The result, more than 94 per cent of people opposed the increase. Yet the council lifted rates by 4.5 per cent after getting the Essential Services Commission's approval to go beyond the state cap of 2.5 per cent.
It was no surprise then that when it emerged a senior officer had been asked to repay an unspecified amount of money for inappropriate purchases on his council credit card, residents were upset.
The council has 81 credit cards among its staff - a common business practice in 2019. But why so many?
It says it has "checks and balances" in place to ensure appropriate use. It points to the fact an internal review identified the purchases needed to be repaid that the procedures worked. It has also since made rules more prescriptive for staff.
The council says it is reviewing the use and need of all 81 but it will take time and it has a process to follow. When that is completed, the council must make the findings public. The same applies to its "organisational review" that will explore ways of cutting costs. The senior officer's resignation this week means the council has a run at getting its house in order. But to do that, the public needs to know only essential work items are bought on the cards.
The council needs to show financial leadership. The council needs to be open, transparent and accountable. All is not lost for the council. It has a chance to act swiftly and decisively and to learn from the past. Only then will it have a chance to win back the public's confidence.
The appearance of two former south-west Catholic priests and a Christian Brother in Melbourne courts on the same day this week on child sex abuse charges was disturbing. A chilling impact statement from a south-west victim in one of the cases should haunt his perpetrator. The victim was incredibly courageous in taking the stand to address the court.
New statistics this week revealed what diseases are killing us. And if anyone is thinking about kicking a bad eating habit or taking up exercise, now is the time. Most worrying was the rate of male suicide across the south-west - almost double the state rate. Compounding the alarming statistic are the gaps in our mental health system.
On a lighter note, it was great our lucky subscribers Raylee Currie and Kelly Graham and their friends enjoyed their free tickets to last week's Ray White Charity Ball.
A couple of other subscribers are celebrating picking up the free tickets to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in Melbourne. The lucky winners were Kerrie McKenzie, Leanne Dixon and Debbie Sicely. They will be off to the show at Her Majesty's Theatre, in Melbourne on August 11.
Keep an eye out for more competitions in coming months.
Check out a selection of other stories, below, that made headlines this week.
Until next week,