A rejected report into the feasibility of building a toilet in the Williams Landing Library Lounge has led to accusations of a councillor being treated unfairly.
During the Tuesday 28 October Wyndham council meeting, Cr Larry Zhao raised a notice of motion calling for a report exploring the cost of building a toilet at the facility.
Cr Zhao said he has private consultation confirming it is the only library in Australia without a toilet.
Cr Zhao said residents have raised the matter with him.
“I am not alone in this concern, our community has expressed a clear need for this essential service,” Cr Zhao said.
“The inclusion of a public toilet … will improve the quality of life for many residents including our staff who are working in the library and meet the needs of the community we serve and bring a fair working environment.”
Cr Preet Singh said he believed the idea was well intentioned but impractical.
“It’s asking for improvements to property we do not own and this library is already a small library, in comparison to other libraries,” Cr Singh said.
“It is not practical, there are toilets nearby [and] although it is not within the library itself it is only a short walking distance.”
Cr Maria King said it might be an exercise in futility.
“My experience with the Williams Landing library is that it is quite small – so I just kind of feel maybe getting a report might be for naught,” Cr King said.
Cr Jennie Barrera asked chief executive Stephen Wall if council had actually received any formal complaints, which he took on notice.
The motion was lost six to five, but Cr Zhao’s right of reply was missed.
Admitting it was an honest mistake and that the circumstances were unorthodox, mayor Mia Shaw permitted Cr Zhao the chance to speak at the end of the meeting.
He said he believed that mistake was an example of a majority of councillors controlling the chamber.
“As a first time CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) councillor here I’m learning the democracy – if you have six hands, you can do whatever you want here,” he said.
Cr Shaw interjected and asked Cr Zhao to stick to the motion.
Cr Zhao then stated that Cr Shaw’s interjections and an alleged conversation he had with Mr Wall that afternoon was proof members of the organisation ignore him.
Following the meeting Cr Zhao said he was disappointed about the result and he felt he was treated with a “double standard.”
When asked to clarify what he meant, Cr Zhao said his ward newsletters were not being delivered to the library despite more than five months of him internally insisting that the error be rectified.
He also said that a complaint about him was received from Williams Landing Library Lounge staff members which led to a formal caution by council and a meeting with the acting chief executive were another example of unfair treatment.
The incident occurred on Tuesday 29 July when Cr Zhao invited Star Weekly into the library to show there was no toilet.
“I feel disappointed, stressed, because the acting CEO at that time had a very serious meeting with me, so I feel I have been targeted,” Cr Zhao said.
A Wyndham City spokesperson said that under the Local Government Act, councils are required to have in place staff and councillor interaction protocols.
“These protocols provide guidance to councillors and staff to assist in maintaining professional and respectful relationships, and ensure councillors receive timely, accurate advice while upholding good governance principles, while also avoiding directing staff, which is a breach of the act,” the spokesperson said.
“All Councillors are provided with a copy of these protocols, and they are regularly discussed in meetings between councillors and senior staff to ensure compliance.”
