COUNCIL’s decision to take over the running of Tenterfield Visitors Information Centre has flown in the face of community desire according to one councillor.
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Councillor Don Forbes tabled a petition at council’s ordinary meeting last Wednesday.
Despite having 1612 signatories the petition did little to sway six councillors from voting for a motion to usurp control of the centre from the Tenterfield and District Visitors Association.
Cr Forbes said he’d instigated the petition to “gauge public opinion”.
The petition gathered over 1600 supporters in the space of three months and Cr Forbes said he’d be willing to continue gathering more names despite being accused of bringing ‘council into disrepute’.
Of the 1600, 1304 were from Tenterfield shire residents while the remaining 308 were from visiting tourists.
“The hope was to keep the whole issue in the public conscience,” Cr Forbes said.
“To ignore it with that number of signatures flies in the face of public opinion,” he said.
The petition was tabled and seconded by councillor Brian Murray but wasn’t opened up for discussion.
“We have a responsibility as elected councillors to listen to the people – we have an obligation to the people who elect us,” Cr Murray said.
