12 Days and Counting

The Shire has a policy that Shire Officers (unfortunately does not include Councillors) respond to questions within 12 working days of receipt at the Shire Offices. This response can be an answer to your question or letting you know that the answer will take some research and will be forthcoming (hopefully, they will tell you when you can expect an answer). The shire also touts a 99%+ performance rating to this standard.

It is best to put these questions in writing to the Shire at:

RE: (put subject indicator here)
Mornington Peninsula Shire
Private Bag 1000
Rosebud Vic 3939

Unfortunately, emails have a tendency to “get lost” in the system’s black hole. The Shire is currently installing a new communications system that will be able to track emails but for now the written word is best. I’ll let you know when this new system is up and running.

All Shire correspondence has a reference number (a great big long one) and you should use this reference in any dealings with the matter. And, as always, a time line of documentation is important: who did you talk to, when, what was discussed, etc... In the end the responsibility to get an answer rests with you. If you do not follow up then it is unreasonable to complain. No system is perfect.

It is always a good idea to copy your Councillor on all correspondence so he/she knows what is going on and, of course, they are the last resort to get results or to resolve issues to your satisfaction. Sometimes you have to accept the word “NO” (one word I have a great deal of trouble with).

If your Councillor is lax and does not help you resolve your problem then it is in your best interest to do everything in your power to make sure this person is not elected in the next election. It is the ultimate weapon you have.