Local Government Minister Melissa Horne keeps monitors at Moonee Valley amid probe

Municipal monitors have been extended at a scandal plagued Moonee Valley council in Melbourne’s northwest, amid an ongoing anti-corruption probe.

Municipal monitors have been extended at a scandal plagued council in Melbourne’s northwest, amid an ongoing anti-corruption probe.

Local Government Minister Melissa Horne – who in January appointed monitors Prue Digby and Phillip Carruthers to oversee the conduct of Moonee Valley Council – on Sunday extended their tenure until February 28 next year.

Ms Horne said while the council had made progress in improving governance practices, more work is still required.

Victorian Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne continues monitors at moonee valley Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

The council has been in turmoil for the past year, with revelations four councillors had their phones seized by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) as part of an investigation into their relationship with a local soccer club.

The Herald Sun understands the four individuals subject to that probe are councillors Narelle Sharpe, Jacob Bettio, Samantha Byrne and former councillor Cam Nation.

It’s understood IBAC raided the homes of Ms Sharpe, Mr Bettio and Mr Nation while Ms Byrne handed her devices to investigations at another location.

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing, just that they have been approached by IBAC.

In a statement on Sunday, Moonee Valley mayor Pierce Tyson said he supported extending the monitors.

“Moonee Valley supports and recognises that while IBAC conducts their investigations involving four current and former councillors, it is absolutely prudent and appropriate for municipal monitors to remain,” he said.

“We have been working extremely well with the municipal monitors and this extension would not have been made without an ongoing IBAC investigation. Council has already taken several important steps to drive improved governance.”

As well as the soccer investigation, there is a legal battle in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal over the redevelopment of the landmark Lionsville site.

And the Herald Sun has been told there are separate rumblings among locals about the leasing of a parcel of council land.

Mr Nation spectacularly blindsided colleagues by resigning with immediate effect during a bizarre council meeting in March this year.

The Herald Sun can reveal that, according to correspondence from a Freedom of Information request, in the days leading up to that meeting Mr Tyson had requested to meet with Mr Nation after warning that he wasn’t fulfilling his requirements as a councillor.

Meanwhile Mr Bettio last month told a court he would plead not guilty to cocaine possession charges.

Since the last Council elections in 2020, 13 Victorian councils have had municipal monitors appointed.

Originally published as Local Government Minister Melissa Horne keeps monitors at Moonee Valley amid probe