by Independent Councillor, Nathan Tilbury
At the March Council meeting, a last-minute Mayoral Minute was put up to cease consideration of the proposed rezoning of 1–3 Johnson Road, Galston. I am pleased to say, it passed unanimously through Council. This brings a long and exhausting chapter to a close.
First and foremost, I want to recognize and thank the Galston community. For years, residents, families, businesses and volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure their voices were heard. However, the community should never have had to fight this battle in the first place.
At its core, this is an issue of governance. Planning proposals must be supported by clear evidence before progressing. This includes feasibility studies, environmental assessments, infrastructure analysis and financial modelling. These are essential for responsible decision-making.
In this case, it is clear the Johnson Road proposal lacked that foundation. There was little evidence of economic viability or practical delivery. Yet it still progressed through council processes, forcing the community to mobilise in response. That should concern every resident. This process has fallen short, failing councillors, staff and, most importantly, the community. Council has a responsibility to ensure proposals are rigorously assessed before reaching this stage. When that doesn’t happen, it damages trust and trust is the most important asset any Council has.
This episode is a reminder of what local government should be: a partnership built on trust. That trust must be earned through strong governance, accountability and a genuine commitment to putting the community first.
At the next council meeting, I will be seeking a full accounting of these costs. Transparency matters, particularly when public funds are involved.
Congratulations to the residents of Galston who have shown what a united community can achieve. I sincerely hope that we as a council learn lessons from this whole unfortunate episode.
