Opinion & Perspectives
23 November, 2025
Good and bad and the future ... lessons in a year
"AND what a year its been since being elected a Buloke Shire councillor. Did it live up to my expectations going into local government? One would say yes and no."
By Cr Stephen Barrett
AND what a year its been since being elected a Buloke Shire councillor. Did it live up to my expectations going into local government? One would say yes and no.
As I had been on the other side of the fence, employed by the City of Perth in a leadership role, I had some insight to the operational side at least of a large council and the paper shuffling one does.
That, I must say, didn’t prepare me for the endless barrage of reports and the like that a small shire like Buloke does to appease state bureaucracy so they can do the paper dance.
While some of those papers are necessary for community benefit like budget and financial statements, others are a impost to the council and at great cost with little benefit as far I am concerned.
These do take away from a small council like Buloke and similar councils’ resources, which would be better spent on delivery of services.
That said, our council does, with resources afforded it, a great job and is to be commended on that.
It isn’t easy and I along with fellow councillors are committed to doing what is best for the community.
I have had good support from my fellow councillors, which I am grateful for and those staff I interacted with also.
So far, it’s had moments of good and not-so-good.
The good has been seeing the community coming together at Anzac Day, citizenship ceremonies. Along with well-supported sporting groups and the many quiet achievers whom are involved usually as a volunteer in community organisations. They probably do not get recognition but deserve a pat on the back as without them the cost to community would be huge. I was disappointed in the way the Estortric Festival was handled from our perspective.
We could have done better.
I won’t go into old ground but it was a great loss to a small shire. The benefit was immense to our area. One hopes lessons have been learnt from all concerned.
Other disappointments are the way renewables and the like are dividing our towns. We should be better as a community.
Let’s think positively and try and see others perspective without division.
And no, I am not debating the issue. I have my opinion on it and will keep it to myself.
So has it been worthwhile putting my hand up for council?
In the main, yes. And as all out there know, lots of serious stuff is coming at our communities.
While we would probably like to bury our heads in the sand, we can’t. So I would ask for civil communication to each other and try and put yourselves in each others position before we act.
With a new council term almost here, I think we could strive to do better. I know its easier said than done, but by all means achieveable.
With our appointment of a new CEO, who I believe will be of real benefit to the shire, I for one am looking forward to working alongside Dan McLoughlan.
So onwards and upwards to all the challenges that may present in the future and I hope the community comes along for the ride as well.
Cr Stephen Barratt is a councillor for the Lower Avoca Ward of the Buloke Shire Council.
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