THE community poll on future Albury aquatics facilities has taken a dramatic twist less than 24 hours after council voted to go ahead with the poll as part of the September elections.
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Cr Alice Glachan lodged a rescission motion opposing the decision to ask Albury ratepayers if they were in favour of council spending up to $50 million on an indoor pool complex and shutting Lavington Swim Centre.
Mayor Henk van de Ven then reacted by calling an extraordinary meeting of council on Monday to deal with the rescission motion.
Cr van de Ven's casting vote as mayor was required to break a 4-all deadlock on whether the poll would go ahead.
Cr Glachan has slammed the poll as premature and lacking detail as she joined deputy mayor David Thurley, councillors Graham Docksey and Daryl Betteridge in opposing it being held on Monday night.
Cr Glachan was approached for comment.
Cr van de Ven said: "We need to deal with it immediately and everyone was notified at the same time".
Cr Docksey and Cr Betteridge have confirmed they signed the rescission motion.
Cr Kevin Mack, who proposed the poll, said the rescission motion smacked of sour grapes.
"It is a cheap shot and appears Cr Glachan is not comfortable with our community having a say," he said.
"It has always been my belief this is the right thing to do and was further proven right when the vote was carried."
Cr Darren Cameron was also upset at not being consulted about the extraordinary meeting being called.
"There is no guarantee all councillors will be available at short notice," he said.
"It appears to me after being defeated in open council, Cr Glachan is determined to win this one at all costs."