Peter Harle JP
Councillor since 2008
Councillor Peter Harle JP
Sixteen Years on Liverpool City Council: A Story of Highs and Lows
When I first stepped into Council chambers in September 2008, Liverpool was emerging from four years under Administration. The community was ready for change, and the election delivered it: three Independents, three Liberals, and five Labor councillors, including the Mayor. It was a finely balanced Council, and that balance shaped everything that followed.
Building for the Future (2008–2012)
Those early years were about laying foundations. Together with Mayor Wendy Waller and my fellow Independents, we pushed through two projects that would transform Liverpool: the Carnes Hill Community Centre and the Kurrajong Road extension to Cowpasture Road. Both were conceived and approved during our term, though the ribbon-cutting honours later went to Mayor Ned Mannoun. Still, the vision and determination belonged to the 2008–2012 Council.
A Golden Term of Stability (2016–2021)
Fast forward to 2016, and Liverpool entered what I believe was its most stable and productive term. No single party held control, echoing the collaborative spirit of my first years. Despite the financial shock of COVID-19, Council managed its affairs with discipline and care.
The results were extraordinary: more than $400 million invested in parks, reserves, and community facilities. From Casula Parklands to the refurbished Michael Wendon Aquatic Centre, from pocket parks to major reserves, Liverpool saw a record level of investment unmatched in any previous term.
Financially, we inherited a deficit of $2.1 million, faced $20 million in asbestos remediation, and absorbed $10 million in COVID support measures. Yet through cooperation and sound management, we kept the city afloat, ending with a modest $11 million deficit — a remarkable achievement under the circumstances.
This was a Council where Labor, Liberal, and Independents worked side by side. The result was a community-first approach that delivered real outcomes for residents.
Turbulence and Controversy (2012–2016)
Not every term was so harmonious. The years under Mayor Ned Mannoun and a Liberal majority were marked by division and controversy. Council meetings often required police presence. An overseer was appointed to monitor councillor behaviour. Walkouts, disputes over Halal food, and negative headlines became common.
Behind the scenes, respected staff were dismissed, including a General Manager later replaced by a corrupt CEO who ended up in jail. The Macquarie Mall project spiralled over budget, deficits mounted, and costly political advisors were hired. The infamous “Propel Management Program” drove out experienced staff, only to be scrapped later at great expense.
It was a term remembered less for progress and more for dysfunction — a stark contrast to the cooperative spirit of 2016–2021.
Elections and Finances
- In the lead-up to the 2021 elections, claims of financial mismanagement were made.
- The facts show that during Mayor Mannoun’s earlier term (2012–16), Council ran deficits of $8.3 million, plus another $2.1 million in the final year of his term.
- Importantly, these deficits occurred before COVID-19, so pandemic impacts were not a factor.
Current Council Term (2021–2024)
- Council is made up of: Mayor Ned Mannoun (Liberal), 4 Liberal Councillors, 4 Labor Councillors, and 2 Independents.
- Since 2021, Council has faced instability:
- The previous CEO, who guided Council through difficult times, was dismissed at the very first meeting.
- A second CEO was also terminated in 2024.
- These actions have triggered investigations, with the Minister for Local Government considering appointing an Administrator.
Community Feedback
- Residents report frustration with:
- Poor road maintenance
- Overgrown grass
- Illegal dumping left unattended
- A general decline in the appearance of the Liverpool LGA
- In addition, Councillors voted for an increase in their own superannuation contributions, funded by ratepayers.
Liverpool Civic Place
- Civic Place replaces the Hoxton Park Road Administration Centre destroyed in 2010.
- Despite COVID-19 challenges, the project was kept viable with no extra cost to ratepayers.
- Independent auditors and Council’s Audit Risk Improvement Committee confirmed its financial soundness.
- Now complete, Civic Place, and the new Library, is a landmark for Liverpool’s CBD, providing new facilities and long-term value.
- Loan repayments will be covered by leasing Council-owned commercial space, ensuring no burden on residents.
Council’s Financial Position
- In 2021, Council carried forward a deficit of around $11 million (less than 4% of its annual budget).
- Plans were in place to return to surplus within 3 years without cutting services.
- However, staff restructuring added $14 million in costs.
- Current budgets show only a small surplus, dependent on selling income-producing assets. Without those sales, Council faces another deficit.
- Comparisons with neighbouring Councils show Liverpool’s financial position is stronger than most, despite criticism.
Regional Comparison (Net Cost of Services, Dec 2021)
- Deficits: Canterbury-Bankstown (-$32.8m), Camden (-$28.6m), Penrith (-$19.8m), Blacktown (-$16.8m), Liverpool (-$11.2m).
- Surpluses: Fairfield (+$5.8m), Parramatta (+$4.1m), Campbelltown (+$2.7m).
Conclusion
- Liverpool Council performed well in the 2016–21 term compared to neighbouring Councils, even through tough times.
- Unfortunately, misinformation during the 2021 election damaged community trust.
- The current term has been marked by instability and little lasting benefit, apart from reducing the backlog of development applications at significant cost.
Looking Back
Sixteen years on Council taught me that Liverpool thrives when no single party dominates. Collaboration, respect, and shared responsibility deliver the best outcomes. The parks, centres, and facilities built during our most stable terms stand as proof of what can be achieved when councillors put community above politics.
Councillor Peter Harle JP
Revised August 2024