ALBURY councillor Darren Cameron has rolled over and backed an alternative approach to supporting a charity which provides meals for needy families on both sides of the border.
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Her amendment for council to continue ongoing advocacy on behalf of Foodshare to the NSW Government through the Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation and invite FoodShare to apply for council funding through “formal channels” was supported by all councillors including Cr Cameron.
But in accepting Cr Cohn’s amendment, Cr Cameron and mayor Kevin Mack clashed on meeting procedure with Cr Cameron accused of “cutting corners” which he hotly disputed.
Cr Cohn said the original motion was "admirable”, but its intent didn’t address the ongoing funding issues faced by FoodShare..
“To do that in a meaningful way we need engagement from other levels of government and I’m pleased to hear Cr Mack has been discussing the benefits of FoodShare with colleagues at RAMJO,” she said.
“If we are going to support them financially they should go through the proper channels with a formal application.”
Cr Mack is the chairman of RAMJO and he revealed FoodShare’s plight had been listed on the agenda for its next meeting on Wednesday due to its work in communities in the southern Riverina.
“The difficulty for them is the $160,000 they require a year in operational costs that are not funded by any government,” he said.
“Our state government doesn’t provide adequate food relief for our state.
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Cr David Thurley said he had "serious concerns” with the type of motion put forward by Cr Cameron.
“Basically you are on a winner or a loser. If you oppose it you are opposing FoodShare and that couldn’t be further from the truth,” he said.
Cr Cameron said FoodShare was a “worthy organisation” in need of any support.
“It is on record locally for seeking up to $60,000 in assistance,” he said.
As part of debate, Cr John Stuchbery revealed he had raised concerns about the amount of food wasted at the recent NSW Local Government conference held in Albury.
“It was really quite extreme and because the food was displayed on tables it was unable to be recycled and had to be thrown out,” he said.
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