MARION COUNCIL

The council for the Edwardstown, South Plympton, Glandore and Ascot Park is the City of Marion.
The offices are situated on Sturt Road, Marion, up the road from the Marion Shopping Centre.

Marion has, to me, always been preoccupied with the Marion district and a few  people who lived there in years gone by.     They are proud of the things they have spent lots of money on, such as the Aquatic centre and other buildings.  A wonderful local historian spent decades trying to get a history centre in the Marion area.  I think Marion council may have been the last council to have such a place. Finally a few years ago the Heritage Centre opened. Most of the other councils who have a history centre are run with a council employee 'in charge' while the day to day happenings are dealt with by wonderful and knowledgeable volunteers.    Marion's heritage centre has a different slant on the way things go.   Similar to the council.     Before the centre was obtained there were a few historical groups and they have done some wonderful work around their area.  Still do, and are supported by the Heritage Centre and Council.     However, very little, if any had been done for many other suburbs within the council area and in particular our area. 

In fact, looking at records, one can see that there was always a problem between the Marion council and the suburbs such as Edwardstown.  I wonder if this all stems from the fact that Edwardstown and surrounds actually wanted to be a council/city area in the early 1900s, but somehow it never eventuated.  Also this area was partly under Mitcham council,  Brighton council and Marion council.  Edwardstown  was fairly settled before Marion became the 'council' area.


Edwardstown is a wonderful place, but for so long now it has been left in a corner to deteriorate and forgotten.   It also seems that the council don't want to change anything here, even though times and people have.     Earlier this morning I received a phone call from a person who works at the council about an issue that has been reported a couple of times and treated with what has seemed to be disdain.  Yes, I do call the council, sometimes on my own account, but mostly because someone else needs help or has asked me to call.     However the past few contacts either via phone or email have been quite contemptuous - well that is how I feel anyway.   The caller this morning spoke to me like I was an annoying child who knew nothing and was just causing trouble.   Also I felt that because I am a renter and had requested help regarding a neighbour who was an owner, I was not competent to see the whole picture.

Today (2017)  I rang the council wishing to speak to someone other than 'customer service' - someone with knowledge about a certain subject.  Three phone calls and 5 hours later I was finally put on to the man I had wished to speak, and he understood what I was saying and hopefully tomorrow someone will call on his behalf to help solve the problem.   First person on phones was ... - polite and friendly who said someone would call back.   That was around 10.30am.   Around 1pm I rang again and spoke to  .. who also said someone would call back.   Each time I ring the person who answers call wants to go over the whole question of why I want to speak to someone other than them.  It is like a gestapo inquisition.  Last call - 5 hours later was a very bad connection at first - often is with this female.  ...-  rude, abrupt, unfriendly, unhelpful and painful to try to talk to or with.  I do prefer to tape any calls made.

(2019)  Since writing the above, I believe the City of Marion Council has greatly improved especially in the customer service area. I find that the majority of people are friendly, and do care about their residents.    They have made great leaps forward in trying to fix problems such as bad footpaths, and listen to the needs of the people, especially for the disabled.   Getting much better, but still needs some work at times especially as technology has moved so quickly to assist the disabled and elderly.   My biggest annoyance is how these days, and this affects so many areas in communication - talking over and listening skills.    So many rules and regulations and once someone begins their spiel, they can't seem to stop and listen.

Our footpaths and the ramps from them are being fixed much quicker than before.  And except for building sites which Marion won't address,  it has become so much better for those in mobility vehicles, especially for those in wheelchairs, who were previously 'forced' to go on the road.     

The council has good bus services to come and go from shopping centres and activity groups. 

The parks and reserves have either been much improved, new ones built or on a list to fix.     There is now a specific park for the disabled, and also a part park which has been made for dogs.

There were two wonderful councillors who really cared and tried to get improvements.  But one has left due to work so will have wait and hope the next one will also be gung ho for the area and not like one we had a few years back.

Trees and greenery - I would not say the council is on a good wicket with this.

There are good libraries and community centres.  The new Edwardstown oval complex is great for sport.