Wingecarribee Shire Counsellors Dismissed

On 31 August 2021, the Minister for Local Government, the Hon Shelley Hancock MP, convened a formal Public Inquiry into Wingecarribee Shire Council.

The terms of reference for the Inquiry were to investigate and report to the Minister with respect to the following matters:

• Whether members of Council’s governing body fully understood their roles and responsibilities and had adequately, reasonably and appropriately carried out their roles and responsibilities during the current term of Council
• Whether, during the current term of Council, there had been improper interference by the elected body of Council, or by individual councillors, in operational matters, with particular reference to staffing and planning functions
• Whether members of Council’s governing body had been and would continue to be in a position to direct and control the affairs of Council in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 and to otherwise fulfil its statutory obligations
• Any other matter that warranted inquiry, particularly those that may have impacted on the effective administration of Council’s functions and responsibilities or the community’s confidence in the Council being able to do so.

The Minister appointed Ross Glover as Commissioner to undertake the Inquiry.

On the 13th July 2022, the independent report from the public inquiry into Wingecarribee Shire Council was tabled in the NSW Parliament by Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman, with action taken to immediately dismiss the councillors.

Commissioner Glover made nine recommendations, including that the currently suspended councillors be discharged and an administrator appointed until the next State-wide Local Government elections in September 2024.

Mrs Tuckerman said “The report raised serious concerns about dysfunction within Wingecarribee Shire Council and returning councillors to their civic offices was clearly not a sustainable or acceptable situation.

“Wingecarribee residents deserve confidence their council is operating in their best interests, and by taking this action, we will ensure certainty and stability for both residents and council staff,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

Mr Viv May PSM, who has been Interim Administrator of the Council, has been asked to continue in that role until a new election is held. Elections for new Wingecarribee Shire councillors will be held on 14 September 2024, aligning with the next ordinary council elections across NSW.

Mrs Tuckerman said she would consider the remaining recommendations made by the Commissioner in due course.

A copy of the report is available at www.olg.nsw.gov.au/public-inquiries

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• Government