Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman dismisses Wingecarribee Shire Councillors

Former mayor Duncan Gair has slammed the decision to sack Wingecarribee Shire councillors, which leaves the community without a democratically elected voice on the council for two more years.

Former Wingecarribee Mayor Duncan Gair has called this week’s decision to instantly sack all councillors, including himself, “a shame.”

All Wingecarribee Shire were officially dismissed on Thursday in line with recommendations from a damning public inquiry, which leaves the community without a democratically elected voice on the council for two more years.

“As opposed to council declaring positions vacant, there should’ve been local elections called in September for liable candidates to put their hand up,” Mr Gair said.

“I think it’s a very autocratic decision by the state government to have an interim administrator when there was no corruption found, there was no financial mismanagement – it was a minority of councillors who have been identified by the commissioner to have caused this disruption and as such, let the community judge not the minister.”

Former Mayor, Duncan Gair, reflects on the decision for all Wingecarribee Shire Councillors to be dismissed.

When asked if he would be applying for local politics again – which the former councillors are still allowed to do – Mr Gair said “it’s much too early to make a commitment one way or another” and said he would be continuing his 25-year-old antique business in Fitzroy Falls in the meantime.

The decision to dismiss councillors was made by Minister for Local Government, Wendy Tuckerman, in line with recommendations by the commissioner into the public inquiry, Ross Glover.

The inquiry revealed claims of intimidation, harassment and bullying at the hands of Wingecarribee councillors who have been suspended since March 2021.

Mr Glover’s nine recommendations also included an administrator, Viv May, being appointed until the next statewide Local Government elections in September 2024.

Shadow Minister for Local Government, Greg Warren, comments on the dismissal of Wingecarribee Shire Councillors and the decision to appoint an Interim Administrator. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Shadow Minister for Local Government, Greg Warren, also shared Ms Gair’s sentiment that the community should’ve had a say in who represented them locally.

“The return of democracy must be the priority for the community of Wingecarribee Shire, following the dismissal of councillors,” Mr Warren said.

“The decision to dismiss the councillors and officially appoint an administrator until the next local government elections in September 2024 effectively leaves the community without a democratically elected voice on the council for two more years.

“The Minister for Local Government must ensure there are procedures and protocols in place for the community to still have a voice.

He also referenced appointments of administrators as an “all too familiar avenue that this government has continued to stray down”.

“Central Coast, Central Darling Shire, Balranald, Armidale Regional – these are all councils that have been placed in administration by various Local Government Ministers since 2011,” Mr Warren said.

“The case of Central Darling Shire Council is particularly worrying given the administration period will last at least 10 years in total.

“The Minister must guarantee that Wingecarribee Shire Council’s administration period will not be drawn out as long.”

Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman, Interim Administrator Viv May, and Member for Wollondilly Nathaniel Smith at the Moss Vale Civic Centre. Picture: Niki Iliagoueva

Member for Goulburn and Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said the report’s key recommendations were the only suitable outcome at Wingecarribee Shire.

“The report raised serious concerns about dysfunction within Wingecarribee Shire Council and returning councillors to their civic offices was clearly not a sustainable or acceptable situation,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“Wingecarribee residents deserve confidence their council is operating in their best interests, and by taking this action, we will ensure certainty and stability for both residents and council staff.”

She said that if the previous councillors were kept on, “it (would be) doubtful the elected body would remain free of dysfunction.”

Mrs Tuckerman acknowledged the period between now and the next election and suggested that certain changes needed to be made between then before Wingecarribee Shire Council returned to business as usual.

“The commissioner’s view is that the council requires more time to reform itself in order to give an incoming governing body the best chance of success and to avoid a return of dysfunction,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

She also said that she had informed Member for Wollondilly Nathaniel Smith of her decision, who was also in agreement of the commissioner’s recommendations.

Mrs Tuckerman said she would consider the remaining recommendations made by the commissioner in due course.