Geoff Helisma

Councillor Allison Whaites has started a petition to oppose Clarence Valley Council (CVC) applying for the Additional Special Variation (ASV) flagged by the NSW Office of Local Government.

On Sunday March 27, she wrote that more than 100 signatures had been collected in 24 hours since she launched the petition on her Cr Allison Whaites Facbook page.

On Monday morning March 28, she posted under the heading, ‘How businesses can help’, writing: “Through the past year of floods, bushfires and the coronavirus, families and businesses in the Clarence Valley have had it tough.

“At the next Clarence Valley Council meeting, councillors will vote on a decision to increase our standard rate increase from 0.7 per cent to 2.5 per cent.

“If you can display this poster on your notice boards or at your business it would go a long way in getting the message out.

“We’ve had over 150 people in the Clarence Valley sign our petition so far, and every single person that gets involved helps.”

The Independent asked the mayor on Monday morning if it was appropriate for the councillor to run a campaign to support her view about a forthcoming item at a council meeting.

Mayor Ian Tiley said he could not comment at the time because he was unaware that Cr Whaites was promoting her petition.

He said he would “look into” the matter.