Whittlesea mayor tells councillors to turn up or ‘get out’

Strife has again struck controversial Whittlesea Council, with the angry mayor calling on councillors repeatedly not turning up to meetings to ‘get out of office’.

The future of the long-delayed Mernda Town Centre is still uncertain after not enough elected Whittlesea councillors turned up to a planned meeting last night to discuss its plans.

Months of frustration boiled over at the Whittlesea Council meeting, with members of the public yelling and calling for heads to roll over lack of attendance by councillors.

Six councillors of the 11 didn’t attend, meaning there weren’t enough present to vote on motions.

Mayor Lawrie Cox said he was “embarrassed on behalf of the community” over an ongoing lack of attendance. “Quite frankly, if you haven’t got the time or interest, get out and give the position to someone else,” Cr Cox said.

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“Don’t hog the position and continue to claim the allowance.”

It’s the latest in a string of dramas, including claims of bullying and dysfunction, to hit the council.

Former Victoria Police chief commissioner Simon Overland is Whittlesea Council’s chief executive.

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Councillors Ricky Kirkham and Norm Kelly had lodged long-term leave and had indicated they would not return to council meetings until March, Cr Cox said.

Cr Tom Joseph lodged an apology due to overseas work matters and councillors Alahna Desiato, Caz Monteleone and Mary Lalios attended part of the meeting but left before motions could be heard, Cr Cox said.

The meeting was rescheduled to next Tuesday.

Cr Desiato said she left the meeting “on principal” to support a colleague who became distressed.

“Important matters have been delayed because of the inability of some to show respect,” Cr Desiato said.

Cr Monteleone said he also left the meeting to support his colleague.

“I cannot talk about it because it is confidential, but anyone who knows empathy would have done the same,” Cr Monteleone said.

Whittlesea Council deputy mayor Tom Joseph and mayor Lawrie Cox.

Following the meeting, more than 30 furious residents took to social media to express their disappointment in the council.

Michelle Rudd described the lack of attendance as “an absolute joke”.

“We need a list of names of those that can’t be bothered so we can vote against them next election,” Ms Rudd said.

Cr Cox said while councillors occasionally could not attend meetings because of other commitments “a couple of councillors” were absent from meetings frequently.

A December 11 meeting in which plans for the Mernda Town Centre were due to be heard was rescheduled to December 21 because councillors Kirkham, Desiato, Kelly, Monteleone and Lalios did not attend.

Whittlesea Council chief executive Simon Overland. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The same group of councillors did not attend the rescheduled meeting on December 21.

Cr Joseph told the Leader he was on business in London and would attend the meeting on Tuesday.

Cr Kirkham declined to comment on the matter. Crs Kelly and Lalios have been contacted for comment.

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