Two Adelaide Hills councillors resign, one alleging bullying and the other reversing land grab support

Two Hills councillors have resigned a day apart, one alleging bullying and the other saying it was in too much debt to help all ratepayers.

The Adelaide Hills Council, where two elected members have quit. Picture Supplied

Two Adelaide Hills councillors have quit in one week, one alleging bullying and another suddenly supporting a hostile land takeover bid by a neighbouring council.

Louise Pascale resigned on Thursday morning via an email to CEO George Georgopoulos, saying AHC was in too much debt to assist all ratepayers.

She now supports a boundary change proposal by Campbelltown Council – which wants parts of two suburbs and about $1.7m in rates – saying she had been required to “say something she no longer believed in”.

By Friday, Pauline Gill also quit, alleging “bullying under confidentiality by one elected member in particular” had affected her mental health.

Former Adelaide Hills councillor Louise Pascale. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“It is very difficult to be in a chamber, knowing there is no way to defend myself against the bullying due to everything being handled under confidentiality and handed to lawyers,” she wrote to Mr Georgopoulos.

“I strongly urge the council to consider removing the confidentiality and anonymity for behavioural complaints, as it has allowed bullying under the radar.”

Acting Mayor Nathan Daniell “categorically disagreed” with Ms Gill’s “assertions”.

“We take a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and harassment. All of our elected members are held to the same behavioural standards,” he said.

Ms Pascale told the council she could no longer support its fight against Campbelltown’s land grab, which is pushing to take parts of Rostrevor and Woodforde and has hit the critical public consultation stage.

She said SA legislation had required she support AHC’s opposition – but has changed her mind, infuriating residents who claimed they helped get her elected.

“I can’t in good conscience back something I don’t believe in,” she said. “Woodforde has doubled in size … we need footpaths, street lighting, to address traffic issues and parking. But Adelaide Hills Council is in debt and doesn’t have the budget or planning in place.

The proposed boundary change by Campbelltown Council. Picture: Supplied

“More and more I kept wondering: why are we fighting for this? We can’t service these residents adequately.”

AHC’s draft 2025/26 budget, on public display, proposes a $2.4m operating deficit, a return to surplus in 2029 and a 6.2 per cent rate rise. Campbelltown proposes a 2.7 per cent rise.

Mr Daniell said he “totally disagreed” with Ms Pascale and continued to oppose Campbelltown’s “unjustified” attempt to seize the land.

The Morialta Residents Association, which opposes the land grab and would end up in Campbelltown should it progress, said Ms Pascale’s resignation was a “deep disappointment”.

“Despite having assured Morialta residents during the last council election campaign that she was committed to opposing the boundary change, she has now jumped ship,” secretary Steve Swann said.

Mr Georgopoulos said council was required to hold two by-elections as soon as practicable, which would cost about $50,000.

AHC was hit by multiple controversies last year – its mayor Jan-Claire Wisdom is on long-term sick leave after her council alleged an investigation found she bullied staff and misled the community and council.

She refused to quit, challenging the findings, despite council voting she resign.