GRIFFITH City Council’s process for answering resident questions is “undemocratic”, according to the city’s community and development council.
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But council says residents have a number of ways to ask questions.
Mr Perry said the rules surrounding question time at council meetings had changed.
He said questions had to be submitted in writing and had to be agenda items.
Mr Perry said questions that did not relate to an agenda item could be knocked back.
“It’s undemocratic,” he said.
Mrs La Rocca said councillors should address resident concerns.
“Local council is there to listen to concerns and address any issues,” Mrs La Rocca said.
“Residents should have the right to ask questions and bring issues to council’s attention.”
Mr Perry said it was not only residents who were limited in questions they could ask. “It’s not only stopping residents from asking questions, it has stopped councillors asking questions,” he said.
Mr Perry and Mrs La Rocca are passionate about giving residents a voice.
“We’re really pleased with what we have achieved and the issues we’ve brought to their attention,” Mrs La Rocca said. She said council had made changes to line markings on Benerembah Street after the group raised the issue of motorists driving the wrong way.
Mr Perry said he believed the state of the city’s roads were one of the biggest issues.
Council’s general manager Brett Stonestreet said if there was a matter on the agenda, residents could put in a written request to ask a question. “Questions can be presented via a councillor to raise at a council meeting and may be raised at any time by contacting the customer service department and logging their question or issue,” Mr Stonestreet said.
“Community members area also able to write to me directly at any time if they have a matter they wish to discuss. These options allow for an in-depth response and are recorded appropriately.”