Councillor calls for municipal monitor of Northern Grampians Shire following misconduct allegation
A Northern Grampians Shire councillor says she can no longer attend “psychologically unsafe” briefings and wants the state government to step in.
Ballarat
Don't miss out on the headlines from Ballarat. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A regional Victorian councillor has called for a monitor to be appointed to a shire in the state’s west amid an alleged “lack of governance” and a “toxic environment” which has left her traumatised.
Northern Grampians Shire is headquartered in Stawell and stretches across the Wimmera region.
Lauren Dempsey, a Stawell Ward councillor, was elected in 2020.
But in May this year, she alleged on social media she had been “yelled and screamed at, ganged up on, threatened, gaslit, intimidated, excluded and treated with complete disrespect” at the hands of “some councillors”.
She said last week that she wrote to Local Government Minister Melissa Horne on July 13 saying that councillor conduct was a “significant issue” in the shire.
“I am a first term female councillor and currently not attending briefings due to the psychologically unsafe and toxic environment at the hand of some councillors and significant lack of governance,” she said.
“I have been unable to attend now for several months with majority of councillors and mayor unwilling to act and support me to return or implement strategies to ensure all councillors feel safe and supported.
“I have found the councillor conduct complaints process highly inefficient, flawed, and traumatic.”
Ms Dempsey went on to request a municipal monitor be appointed to Northern Grampians Shire.
A municipal monitor observes a council, provides advice, and reports back to the state government.
“I would like to be able to return to the chamber and see the governance processes restored and behaviour monitored so I can fulfil my councillor duties,” Ms Dempsey said.
“I am requesting a municipal monitor be appointed to the Northern Grampians Shire Council immediately.
“I know several community members and groups have already written to you requesting this so I hope you can now take action as I am deeply traumatised by my councillor experience and would like to see positive change please.”
Northern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Rob Haswell, who was elected to the top job in November 2023, responded in an official council statement that Ms Dempsey’s request followed a “misconduct complaint against fellow councillors”.
“During the current term of council there have been no findings of misconduct or serious misconduct against any councillors,” he said.
“The council is functioning well including adopting the budget on 1 July and is running its meetings as per the code of conduct.”
The state government has been contacted for comment.
Meet the people standing in Ballarat’s council election
The list of candidates standing in Ballarat’s coming council election continues to grow. Meet those who have thrown their hats in the ring.
Ex-AFL player kicks clutch goal to send country team into grand final
With the wind and conditions against him Jackson Merrett delivered one of the goals of his career to help East Point make the grand final. WATCH the goal here.