Minister Shelley Hancock confirms public inquiry into Wingecarribee Shire Council

A barrister will get under the hood at the regional council and expose the “financial, legal, cultural, structural, reputational and governance issues” that has brought it to its knees.

NSW Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock has announced a public inquiry wil be held into the Wingecarribee Shire Council.

Ms Hancock said an inquiry will provide an opportunity for a public examination of the “serious issues” plaguing the council and to help restore public confidence.

“Wingecarribee Shire Council’s performance is being seriously hampered by a range of financial, legal, cultural, structural, reputational and governance issues which are of great concern to the local community,” she said.

“A public inquiry will help get to the bottom of the issues which have significantly impacted on the council’s performance”.

Wingecarribee Shire Council chambers.

Ms Hancock appointed barrister Ross Glover to investigate the council and determine whether there has been any improper activity by the suspended councillors. Mr Glover has previously acted as counsel assisting a public inquiry in the Blue Mountains.

The inquiry will look into any matter that could have adversely affected “the effective administration of council’s functions and responsibilities or the community’s confidence in the council being able to do so.”

Notably, the inquiry will examine whether “during the current term of council, there has been improper interference by the elected body of council, or by individual councillors, in operational matters”.

Ms Hancock said Mr Glover will also be assessing whether the councillors properly understood their role and responsibility and effectively fulfilled their obligations during their tenure.

Interim administrator Viv May will continue in the role during the term of the public inquiry, however long that may take.

The suspension of the councillors will conclude 30 days after the public inquiry report is submitted to Ms Hancock. There is no deadline outlined for the report, which will contain recommendations for the council.

Suspended councillor Ian Scandrett has been calling for a public inquiry since January 2020 after the bushfires, and is delighted to see his advocacy has not been in vain.

Local Government minister Shelley Hancock suspended the Wingecarribee Shire Council in March. Picture: Sue Graham

“I’m very happy for the community,” he said.

“This council had been out of control for too long and the community have suffered terribly.”

Mr Scandrett said he had been persecuted in the council chambers for his belief the council needed a “complete reset”. He said his pursuit of the inquiry was “all about getting this Shire working for the community.”

“With tens of millions of dollars mishandled by the ruling cabal over the years, the cost of the inquiry will be seen to be a good investment,” he said.

When asked about the indeterminate length of the inquiry, Mr Scandrett repeated his catchphrase that the “line will go around the block” for community submissions.

“This inquiry needs to go as long as it needs to go, and the community in attending the inquiry will determine that,” he said.

Former mayor Duncan Gair was surprised by the Minister’s decision to dedicate so much of the Shire’s money and resources to an investigation.

“I didn’t want an inquiry,” he said.

“All it’s going to do is cost the ratepayers a pocketful of money.”

However, he said he is not concerned about what the “fairly specific” terms of inquiry might uncover about his leadership of the council.

“I have no dramas about my conduct, but I think other councillors will have concerns about their conduct,” he said.

Suspended Wingecarribee Shire councillor Ian Scandrett, who called for the inquiry, and suspended mayor Duncan Gair.

Mr Gair said he thought the inquiry would uncover a lot of bad behaviour by former councillors, particularly towards staff.

“I think some councillors have acted very inappropriately during the term of council,” he said.

Despite his disapproval of the inquiry, Mr Gair said he supported the council being held accountable for its actions.

Goulburn state Liberal MP Wendy Tuckerman and Wollondilly state Liberal MP Nathaniel Smith welcomed the announcement of an independent public inquiry. Both noted the importance of understanding the community concerns and how the past errors of council occurred in order to improve the organisation.

Mr Smith said addressing the “sins” of the council would allow the council to better serve the community in future.

“A more responsive, community oriented council presents greater opportunity to unlock the region’s potential,” he said.