Return of monitors at Geelong council has created much discussion and finger pointing

There has been finger pointing aplenty since the state government announced the return Geelong council monitors, with one insider certain it is because of the ongoing sports funding saga.

Local Government Minister Melissa Horne. Picture: Valeriu Campan / NCA NewsWire.

City Hall insiders are torn on whether the ongoing sports funding saga is the catalyst for the state government bringing back monitors to keep a close eye on council.

There has been finger pointing aplenty since Local Government Minister Melissa Horne announced the appointment of Peter Dorling and Mark Davies as monitors on Tuesday.

The appointment came little more than two months after the previous monitors – Mr Dorling and Prue Digby – finished their year-long term.

A month after the pair’s departure, councillor Peter Murrihy was supported by five of his colleagues in throwing out a recommendation from council officers to prioritise state government funding for female-friendly facilities at Hamlyn Park, in favour of Elderslie Reserve.

“No one should be surprised about this announcement,” one senior City Hall source said.

“Especially the six councillors who have brought this upon themselves.

“Ethical behaviour and personal integrity should be the cornerstone of any elected official.”

Mr Murrihy and Melissa Cadwell defended the move at the March council meeting, however the four other councillors who supported the motion have never publicly explained their reasoning why.

Another senior council figure dismissed any link between the return of the monitors and the sports funding saga.

“It has nothing to do with it,” they said.

“It has everything to do with the poor behaviour of some councillors within the chamber and in other meetings and forums.

“That behaviour is behind the numerous complaints about some councillors, including internal and external complaints.”

It is understood some councillors are frustrated with the leadership team over what they view as an inconsistent approach to notices of motion being allowed to appear on the council agenda.

It is understood that Geelong council chief executive Ali Wastie and mayor Trent Sullivan learnt of the monitors’ appointment ahead of their colleagues.

Ms Horne did not respond to questions about what the deciding factor was in appointing Mr Dorling and Mr Davies, nor whether the controversial February council meeting played a role.

Instead she simply said their presence would “continue to improve governance practices”.

What is undeniable is that the sports funding saga has deepened an already big divide between some councillors.

Peter Dorling has a long history of helping out when things go awry at City Hall.

Mr Dorling and Ms Digby’s report to Ms Horne highlighted the use of independent workshops in an attempt to mend fractious relationships.

One council insider said the sessions had no impact and the relationship between some councillors was toxic.

“The monitors won’t be able to fix this,” they said.

As well as shining a light on the behaviour of councillors, the report raised several other concerns.

Among these were the preparation of financial reports which allegedly provided a more favourable budget position than was factual over the 2022 calendar year.

In August, the Local Government Inspectorate (LGI) referred 12 matters to the monitors, including issues relating to harassment, bullying and business decisions.

Geelong-based Liberal MP Bev McArthur called on Ms Horne to provide more information on the appointment.

“If City Hall is so bad it needs continual monitoring and handheld nannying supervision, save the ratepayers the expense of monitors, councillors and the CEO, and sack the lot and appoint an administrator,” she said.

“Otherwise, come clean on what the real reason is for this obsession with councillor behaviour and constant waste of ratepayer money.”

Council Watch president Dean Hurlston, who referred Mr Murrihy’s motion to the LGI for further inspection, said poor governance was as much the responsibility of executives as councillors.

“It seems this council needs an overhaul, an efficiency drive and a clean up,” he said.

Originally published as Return of monitors at Geelong council has created much discussion and finger pointing