Former East Coast mayor Debbie Wisby denies misuse of office by renting out her B&B to GMs

“There was no secrecy”: A former East Coast mayor has denied breaching local government legislation by renting out her B&B to two general managers. LATEST >>

A FORMER East Coast mayor has denied she used her position to gain $3300 in council funds by renting out her Triabunna B&B to two general managers.

Debbie Lee Wisby, 51, previously the mayor of Glamorgan Spring Bay, resigned in July 2020, midway through her four-year-term, claiming “unfair criticism” had impacted her health and wellbeing.

She later pleaded not guilty to four allegations dating back to 2019, including two counts of improper use of information and two counts of misuse of office.

On Tuesday in the Hobart Magistrates Court, prosecutor Emily Bill said Ms Wisby – due to her position as mayor – was privy to information that two general managers required accommodation.

She said it was alleged Ms Wisby “inappropriately used that information to obtain an advantage”, by renting them her Triabunna accommodation, Merle’s Cottage.

The first of those general managers, Ian Pearce, gave evidence via video link that he’d been looking for accommodation closer – within walking distance – to the council chambers in Triabunna.

Former mayor Debbie Wisby has denied she used her position to gain $3300 in council funds by renting out her Triabunna B&B to two general managers. Picture: Amber Wilson

He said Merle’s Cottage was usually $600 per week, but he got a discount due to the council’s financial position, which he said “wasn’t in the best condition”.

“They were solvent, but they were sailing fairly close to the wind, shall we say,” Mr Pearce said.

He said it wasn’t unusual for a council to pay for the accommodation of an incoming general manager – and that at the time, he wasn’t aware of any other accommodation in the township that met his requirements.

Mr Pearce also said other council staff were aware he was staying at Ms Wisby’s accommodation.

Harry Galea, who also worked as acting general manager at the council during 2019, also stayed at Ms Wisby’s accommodation for $300 per week.

He said he only had a week-and-a-half to find lodgings.

“I saw it as something of a blessing to find something available, and at a rate I thought was reasonable,” Mr Galea said.

“There was no secrecy.”

Triabunna wharf. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Defence lawyer Chris Gunson SC said Ms Wisby had not gained an advantage – comparing the situation to a person who runs the only petrol station in town, only to later be elected to council, with council continuing to use their services.

He said there were no clear rules stipulating the arrangements “couldn’t be done”.

Mr Gunson also said there was nowhere else suitable to stay in Triabunna.

“If she was charging more than her nightly rate, they might have something to complain about. But it was at a substantial discount,” he said.

The Mercury previously reported the council expenses were questioned at Glamorgan Spring Bay’s September 2019 council meeting after a ratepayer lodged an anonymous letter.

At the time, Ms Wisby said she had good knowledge of local government legislation and that her actions had not been in breach.

The case, before Magistrate Michael Daly, will return to court on June 29.

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Originally published as Former East Coast mayor Debbie Wisby denies misuse of office by renting out her B&B to GMs