The City of Busselton was alerted to a public meeting called by an unknown organiser on the New Community Civic Precinct through reading an article in one of the local community newspapers last Wednesday 13th August 2008.

The Shire contacted the chair of the community meeting, Mr David Reid and asked why the Shire was not invited to attend. Additionally, no formal invitation was issued to Councillors to attend, other than through a forwarded e-mail via an individual Councillor. The Shire clearly expressed the need for the community to be correctly informed about the project. The Shire requested that CEO Andrew Macnish and the Project Team make a brief presentation on the Community Civic Precinct Project and thereafter to answer any questions from concerned residents.

Mr Reid told the Shire that there was going to be a panel taking questions from the community and welcomed the CEO and Project Manager to join the panel. When Mr Reid was questioned as to who would be on the panel the Shire was told that the information was confidential. Mr Reid was also questioned as to who organised the public meeting and again the Shire was told that all information regarding the public meeting was confidential. Mr Reid also mentioned that he sensed the community was not consulted about the proposed CBD site and did not understand that the current advertised Business Plan was done so as a proposal for public comment.

During the past five years Councillors and staff considered other sites including the current Shire site and Vasse. The elected members worked through the various concepts of redevelopment and relocation to arrive at the Council resolution (C0706/136) in June 2007 that its long term location be adjacent to the current Library with a planned occupation in 2010. Therefore any remnant discussion on other sites became redundant.

The Shire is and has been consulting extensively about the Council's proposal. To date the Shire has presented briefings to various community groups and continues to do so until the end of the community consultation period (19th September 2008). In additional to these community group consultations the Shire has ensured that as much information is available to the community through:

• A Community Reference Group (formed in September 2007);
• Weekly public briefing sessions at the Busselton and Dunsborough Library;
• An open day and question time at the City of Busselton Administration office by the Project Team;
• One-on-one consultations available on request with community members;
• Visual displays at the local libraries and Dunsborough shopping centre;
• Weekly advertising in the community newspapers outlining the project;
• Copies of the business plan available at the City of Busselton Administration office;
• All details of the project on the shire website;
• Fortnightly briefings with local media;
• Sundowner for surrounding businesses.

CEO Andrew Macnish has written a letter to Mr Reid outlining his concerns about the clandestine behaviour surrounding tonight's public meeting.
Mr Macnish said "The Shire is disappointed that those behind the meeting have not allowed Mr Reid to offer information on the public meeting. I have requested that any questions raised by concerned residents be forwarded to the Shire. The Shire has committed to publishing the answers to the questions that arise from the meeting in the local paper. In addition, copies of the information brochure on the Community Civic Precinct Project being sent out will be taken to the meeting for distribution.