Scenic Rim Regional councillor Derek Swanborough announces resignation after 43 years

A fed up South East Queensland councillor has pulled the pin on the job he’s held for four decades – triggering a by-election – blaming years of complaints lodged with the local government watchdog and a longstanding spat with his mayor.

Former Scenic Rim councillor Derek Swanborough. Picture: Facebook

A fed up southeast Queensland councillor has pulled the pin from the job he has held for 43 years, blaming his departure on years of complaints lodged with the local government watchdog and a longstanding spat with his mayor.

Scenic Rim Regional councillor Derek Swanborough dropped the resignation bombshell at a meeting on Tuesday before walking out of chambers.

His shock departure has triggered a by-election 12 months out from the next local government poll in 2024.

Mr Swanborough, who first took up a Scenic Rim council post in 1977, said he had reluctantly made the decision, citing his disappointment with the council’s decision not to allow Tamborine Mountain to merge with the neighbouring Gold Coast City Council.

He was a major component in a fiery battle over the area which started with plans for it to be ceded to the Gold Coast as long ago as 1988 and even launched a self-funded plebiscite on the issue.

The plebiscite was sent to 3015 homes across Tamborine. Fifty-one per cent responded.

“This is a decision I am most reluctant to make, but I have regretfully come to the view that I am unable to provide the level of service to my constituents that they deserve,” Mr Swanborough told the meeting.

“I have worked very hard with many of my Council colleagues in an endeavour to achieve higher levels of performance, greater efficiency, lower rates and improved levels of customer satisfaction, but above all, transparency in decision making.”

Mr Swanborough’s resignation will necessitate a by-election in Division 1, which he said had been an honour to represent.

“I say farewell today and offer my assistance and best wishes to whoever the voters choose to be the next Tamborine Mountain Councillor,” he said.

“I would like to thank my constituents, residents of the Scenic Rim, my many present and former colleagues and persons who have assisted me in carrying out my duties as a Councillor.”

Division One Councillor Derek Swanborough at the works on Tamborine Mountain Rd. Picture: File

In a statement Mr Swanborough explained why he resigned.

“My resignation is directly related to the litany of complaints unjustly lodged against me to the Office of Independent Assessor (OIA) – approximately 70 plus in three years, including two just before Christmas and one as recently as January 27, only three weeks ago,” Mr Swanborough said.

“It averages almost one per fortnight for the last three years where I must spend hours, days, and weeks sometimes, to prove my innocence.

“I am now able speak as a private citizen and I want the people of the Scenic Rim, and those living in Division One, to understand that I choose not to work in a poor culture.

“I choose not to work in an organisation that has commenced a process of cost recovery through the legal process against one of my constituents. Her only ‘crime’ is to work tirelessly as a volunteer for our Tamborine Mountain community in defending inappropriate development.

“I choose not work for an organisation that has started a process of cost recovery against the Tamborine Mountain Progress Association, a voluntary organisation that has tirelessly and courageously served our community for 107 years and may yet face winding up, unable to pay its debt.”

Census 2021 Special Report: Scenic Rim Regional Council Mayor Greg Christensen. Picture: supplied.

Mr Swanborough said his career in local government began in 1977 as a labourer on a construction gang in the Ipswich City Council during his university holidays, and his first full time position commenced in 1979.

“Since then, I have worked in virtually all departments of local government. This includes 25 years in executive management positions in some large councils in Southeast Queensland and Northern NSW, over a period of 42 years, including the former Beaudesert Shire Council as Corporate Services Director for a continuous 16 years of service.

“Today that career ends, and with it the opportunity to use my expertise and local knowledge for the benefit of all the residents of the Scenic Rim.”

Scenic Rim Regional Council sent through a media statement stating that Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen, Deputy Mayor Jeff McConnell, and Councillors Marshall Chalk, Virginia West, Duncan McInnes and Michael Enright thanked Cr Swanborough for his contribution during the past three years and wished him and his family all the best for the future.

“Scenic Rim Regional Council Chief Executive Officer David Keenan also extended well wishes to Cr Swanborough on behalf of the organisation,” it read.

Scenic Rim Regional Council has been contacted for further comment.