I sat through the council debate about Jamberoo Community Preschool and couldn’t believe my ears when the CEO addressed Councillor Mike Cains. Her remark, “Because you’re new, I allowed it to go through,” felt condescending and dismissive. Here was someone passionately advocating for a vital community resource, only to be undermined by bureaucracy.

The CEO explained Cr Cains’ motion didn’t follow the council’s rules. Motions requiring additional funding must identify a budget source or fit into an approved budgetary cycle. The CEO noted that the motion failed to meet these requirements, making it technically non-compliant. She argued that under the council’s code of meeting practice, the motion should not have been included in the business papers at all.

Fair enough—rules are rules. But the way this was handled seemed less about guiding a new councillor through procedural nuances and more about putting him in his place. The debate was bogged down in amendments and technicalities, overshadowing the heart of the issue. A preschool built with the blood, sweat, and tears of the Jamberoo community is at risk, and the council needs to help.

Councillor Cains stood his ground saying "The Jamberoo preschool is such an important asset to the community. We must provide them with every assistance we can to get them to the point where they have a shovel-ready project that can be submitted for grant applications. This is about supporting a community resource that is so vital to families in Jamberoo."

The preschool serves 67 children, with over 100 families on its waiting list. Yet, its future hangs in the balance due to flood risks and a lack of funding for long-term planning. While Cr Cains pushed for tangible action, the motion’s most significant element—developing a “shovel-ready” project plan—was ultimately removed. The CEO insisted that without identifying a funding source, the motion couldn’t proceed as written.

What frustrates me most is the contrast between priorities. The council has allocated $260,000 for council building renovations, yet the preschool struggles for support. As Councillor Cains rightly pointed out "We’re flagging to them that they’ll have to vacate the very premises they built with their own contributions. Where are the council’s priorities?"

This isn’t just about the rules—it’s about leadership. Watching the debate, I was struck by the difference between Cr Cains’ heartfelt advocacy and the bureaucratic tone used to justify inaction. The preschool doesn’t need another lecture on procedure. It needs real support and a clear path forward.

The amended motion was passed, committing to advocacy for grant funding and ongoing flood mitigation efforts, but the issue of long-term planning remains unresolved.

M - Concerned citizen