Administrator to take over management of troubled Coober Pedy District Council

An administrator will take over the troubled Coober Pedy District Council whose management has come under fire from both the state’s Ombudsman and Auditor-General.

The Coober Pedy District Council office. Picture: Google Maps

An administrator will take over the troubled Coober Pedy District Council whose management has come under fire from both the state’s Ombudsman and Auditor-General.

Local Government Minister Stephan Knoll said he recommended the appointment of an administrator, former Playford Council chief executive Tim Jackson to “address the serious failings” identified by Ombudsman Wayne Lines.

Mr Jackson has been appointed as the administrator until January 2020, when the council will either be reinstated or another general election called.

former Playford Council chief executive Tim Jackson.

Local Government Minister Stephan Knoll

“Given the extent and seriousness of the problems at the Council, it’s time to do what is necessary to make sure that the council is placed on a secure footing, and can provide the Coober Pedy community with the high standard of administration and service that it needs,” Mr Knoll said.

“The State Government will consider further action when Mr Jackson has been in place for some time. A general council election cannot be called until the administrator has been in place for at least three months.”

Mr Lines found last July that the council had committed one of the “most serious examples” of maladministration when it signed a $198 million power deal.

The Ombudsman cited more than 25 “significant errors” by the council in connection with the negotiation and execution of the 20-year power purchase agreement including the failure of elected members to provide “meaningful oversight” of the activities of senior staff.

The council’s financial management was also criticised by Auditor-General Andrew Richardson in a report last year, who found it had no realistic prospect” of balancing its books because of its “unsustainable” debt levels and financial performance.