Outgoing Griffith councillor Simon Croce on his 20-year tenure, average speed cameras and naming road landmarks

Griffith councillor Simon Croce was presented with an award to recognise his 20.5 years of service as an elected member of the local government body at the ordinary council meeting on Tuesday (10 September).

The only current councillor not running for re-election is best known for advocating for his town of Yoogali, his work on transport and traffic initiatives, the naming of carparks and roundabouts and his work on multiple committees. Region caught up with him to reflect on his achievements, his views on average speed cameras, how council has changed, why he opposed a recent rate rise and his advice for his successors.

Why have you decided to call time on your council career?

It was my goal to get the Griffith to Yoogali bike track done. Once I’d got that sorted and I secured funding, then I could let go.

I was probably starting to lose motivation. It didn’t worry me not getting elected, it worried me getting elected and not wanting to be there. It’s best to go a touch early then a touch too late. You can’t do it for ever; it was time to give someone else a go.

Any other achievements over the past 20 years of which you’re proud?

I can’t take all the credit for all of the things, but there’s been the new airport, the library extensions, the theatre upgrades, the chambers upgrade, new water sewerage treatment plant, the new Griffith Regional Sports Centre, the private hospital and the new public hospital being built, which was something for which we pushed hard.

You’ve always spoken out against what you see as over-policing of our roads. I take it you’re not keen on the planned introduction of average speed cameras?

It’s Big Brother. I’m really against this stuff. It won’t be long before you go to visit someone on the coast and you’ll get a letter in the mail saying, ‘We know when you left home, we know when you got there, here is your fine’. It’s not speed that kills, it’s inappropriate speed that kills. There’s a need to provide roads that are safe.

You were also a driving force behind naming Griffith roundabouts and carparks after historical figures and cultural groups, weren’t you?

I’d like to see that continue. It doesn’t have to be formal and Road Transport Authority (RTA) approved, but we can just put up a sign. For example, Lavender Bend, Prod Straight …. Everyone knows these landmarks. There’s plenty people who need their names on things and we have plenty of things to name, so why not name them – both roundabouts and parks. They’re just little things we can do to recognise our history.

Why did you vote against the Special Rate Variation (SRV), which increased council rates by much more than the usual rises?

I wasn’t keen on that at all. We can sneak rates up a bit, maybe to five per cent, but the SRV was just thrown out there. We did consultation just for looks, but nothing was going to change.

But wouldn’t we have to cut services without an SRV?

Would we? We’d unfortunately have to trim staff, but that’s how it goes. It goes for any business; you’ve just got to manage with less.

How has council changed over the past two decades?

Councillors used to be a lot more involved in day-to-day things, there were more management committees. That was a good idea, it kept your finger on the pulse more. Nowadays, it’s more staff orientated. The workload isn’t as high, but dropping down to nine councillors in Griffith will give them more on their plates. There are more things to get done now but less money with which to do them.

What’s one key piece of advice you’d give to a new councillor?

People might forgive what you say, people might forget what you do, but they never forget how you make them feel. When dealing with people, if you treat them properly, equally and make them feel special, they’ll remember that. Over the years I’ve treated everyone the same whether they’ve had a big problem or a small problem.

Any last words for Griffith?

Who would’ve thought people would vote for me for 20 years, but they did, so I must’ve done something right. I’d like to thank the community and my wife Lisa and family for all their support.