Cr counts calendar cost

by Kevin Clare

March 31, 2008

“THE annual calendar for the City of Stirling is a waste of money and should no longer be produced,” says Hammersley ward councillor Ron Sebrechts.

Cr Sebrechts submitted a notice of motion at a recent council meeting to have the calendar scrapped. The motion is under committee discussion and yet to be considered by full council.

There is an alternative to scrapping the calendar ­- distributing it through council libraries and prominent city buildings, instead delivering it to people’s homes which would cut costs by around $30,000.

Cr Sebrechts is happy with this alternative and says: “It will lower cost, and fewer calendars will be printed.”

The calendar is seen by the council staffers who produce it as an important publication that promotes events in the city and generates community pride. It is also a good branding tool, according to a staffers’ report.

Ratepayers and residents had submitted very positive feedback, according to the report, submitted after Cr Sebrecht notified his intentions on the calendar. Last year, it cost $100,000 to produce. If distribution costs were reined in, this could shrink to $50,000, the council officers predicted.