Wingecarribee Shire Council: New faces elected after two years in administration

Controversial former councillors have been rejected at the ballot box in the Southern Highlands, receiving some of the lowest vote numbers among candidates as Wingecarribee Shire Council transitions out of administration.

Wingecarribee Shire Council. Picture: Supplied

Controversial former councillors have been rejected at the ballot box in the Southern Highlands, receiving some of the lowest vote numbers among candidates.

More than two years after the entire Wingecarribee Shire Council was sacked and placed in administration, voters returned to the ballot box last month.

Former mayors Duncan Gair and Juliet Arkwright were hopeful of making a comeback to council chambers, but newly finalised results show both were met with a resounding rejection by residents at the polls, with both ranked in the bottom three vote-getters.

After what was described at public inquiry, which led to the former council’s dismissal, as a “boys’ club” mentality, voters have elected six women to the new nine-member council in a sign they are keen to avoid a similar “toxic environment”.

Many residents have shared their excitement about having a fresh faces at the helm after the election results were declared, while others stayed more reserved in their expectations.

Wingecarribee Shire Council has welcomed fresh faces to join its ranks for its return after two years under administration. Picture: Supplied

“The people have spoken … 4 ladies and NO past councillors with baggage,” one resident wrote on social media.

“I think you are a bit premature with your congratulations … Let’s just see shall we, what calibre they actually turn out to be,” another resident commented.

Voters clearly keen for a fresh start put sacked former mayor Duncan Gair third from the bottom with 1798 votes, while previously censured mayor was Juliet Arkwright dead last with just 874 votes.

Mr Gair was mayor when all councillors were suspended in 2021 ahead of the following year’s public inquiry, which resulted in the all-male council being sacked.

Former Mayor Duncan Gair’s bid for re-election failed. Picture: Supplied

He featured prominently in a 259-page report tabled during the inquiry, which heard “overwhelming evidence” of “dysfunction”, “inappropriate behaviour” and infighting at the council.

The experienced independent councillor was mentioned more than 300 times in the damning report, including instances where the inquiry found he had pressured staff to execute tasks and “muted” his colleagues during council meetings.

Mr Gair also refused to read a report on the council’s failings in its response to the 2020 bushfires, dismissing complaints from residents outlining “a lack of empathy”.

Former mayor Juliet Arkwright hoped to return to the council but was rejected by locals. Picture: Supplied

The public inquiry also identified 2012, when Ms Arkwright was serving as mayor, as the starting point for the council’s cultural issues.

Ms Arkwright, who ran again at last month’s local government election, was previously censured by the Office of Local Government and ordered to undergo counselling after a breach of conduct in a televised interview in 2014.

Following the recent election, interim administrator Viv May, who has overseen the council since 2021, will gradually hand over the reins to the newly elected councillors.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig has imposed a 12-month performance improvement order to ensure a smooth transition for Wingecarribee council.

“This order will ensure there is no loss to the improvement of council’s performance as it transitions out of administration,” Mr Hoenig stated.

New Wingecarribee Shire Council

The results from the 2024 election show a major win for independents, with only Heather Champion from the NSW Greens and David Kent, of Labor, coming from major parties.

None of the new councillors have served on the council before.

Jesse Fitzpatrick’s independent party received huge support with more than 40 per cent of votes, gaining four seats for his team. He has also been tipped as a favourite for the mayoral position.

Jesse Fitzpatrick’s independent party won more than 40 per cent of votes, also securing Erin Foley (left), Theresa Duffy (right) and James Farrell (not pictured) a spot from his team. Picture: Facebook

Among the six female councillors elected, two are from Mr Fitzpatrick’s team and three others are also independents. See the full list of the newly elected councillors below.

2024 Wingecarribee Councillors

• Jesse Fitzpatrick: Independent (Group A)
• Rachel Russell: Independent
• Erin Foley: Independent (Group A)
• Therese Duffy, Independent (Group A)
• James Farrell: Independent (Group A)
• David Kent: NSW Labor Party
• Nicole Smith: Independent
• Sara Moylan: Independent
• Heather Champion: Greens

Wingecarribee Shire Council will have its first meeting with the nine new councillors this week, with its first mayor in more than two years to be selected.