Council complaints go public on new website

25-year-old web designer Chris Hamlin is giving a soapbox to residents all over Australia to tell their local councils what they really think.
In its three-week history, CouncilGripe.com, a website that lets residents publish complaints to their local councils, is already flooded with posts.
So far, Sydney City Council has been targeted in eight posts, including one titled ‘Unfair parking laws for bike owners’ and ‘Dangerous Hole in Elizabeth Bay Pavement For More Than One Year.’
Mr Hamlin said he created the site because everyone he spoke to was having problems communicating complaints to their local councils.
“I thought it would be interesting to get people’s opinions out in the public instead of keeping them behind closed doors,” he said.
Mr Hamlin said that the aim of the site is to increase communication between councils and residents: “It’s definitely designed to create a community voice for problems, so people can band together or throw weight behind a complaint and make the councils at least acknowledge that the problem’s there, and hopefully fix it.”
With many social services being pushed online these days, Mr Hamlin agreed there was a demand for the website but was still surprised at the attention it has received since launching.
But he said that the website is a positive exercise and he has no real gripe of his own. Councils can even subscribe to the site and receive emails of concerns as they arise. “I really want to try and get the councils involved in replying on the site, and giving feedback.”
A Sydney City spokesperson said that all feedback was encouraged but that people should also try to contact the Council directly: “The City supports freedom of speech and forums which enable the community to make real change can be positive.
“However if people have queries or requests for services, they should also lodge them direct with Council on 9265 9333 or council@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au so that Council officers can respond or take action.”
People can post a gripe anonymously by filling in an online form, sending an email to complain@councilgripe.com or sending a letter to PO Box 323, Waverly.