Whittlesea council meeting abandoned due to councillor no-show

NO-SHOW councillors accused of staging a protest are likened to “little children who rip the heads off Ken and Barbie dolls and throw them out of the sandpit”.

Former mayor Ricky Kirkham is one of five councillors accused of staging a protest by not showing up for the December 12 Whittlesea Council meeting. Picture: Andy Brownbill.

TWO key community projects have been stalled after a Whittlesea Council meeting had to be scrapped last week because five councillors didn’t turn up.

The no-show councillors, whose absence delayed decisions on the long-awaited Plenty Valley Town Centre and Sycamore BMX track, have been described as “little children” who rip the heads off dolls and throw them “out of the sandpit because they don’t get their way”.

COUNCILLORS EJECTED: Former mayor among two booted from council meeting

Councillors Ricky Kirkham, Mary Lalios, Caz Monteleone, Alahna Desiato and Norm Kelly did not attend the December 12 meeting. A sixth, Tom Joseph, was absent due to a prearranged overseas trip.

The five councillors, who are factionally aligned, have been accused by colleagues of playing political games after councillors Kirkham and Lalios were kicked out of last month’s meeting for poor behaviour.

Cr Kelly said he was absent from the meeting due to work commitments, while Cr Desiato said her absence was for “legitimate reasons”.

Neither Cr Kirkham nor Cr Lalios — who had attended two council functions during the day including one at the chambers — returned the Leader’s calls.

South East Ward Councillor Mary Lalios was absent from the December 12 council meeting despite attending a function at the council chambers earlier in the day. Picture: Supplied.

Cr Monteleone said he was absent due to a family medical issue but wouldn’t be surprised if the others decided not turn up in protest.

“I can only speak for myself but I can see how other councillors would be fed up with the poor decisions being made by this council,” Cr Monteleone said.

“There are councillors who are truly concerned about what is happening in the community and making a point by not attending meetings is an option available to them.”

Cr Lawrie Cox accused the group of “playing political games with the Whittlesea community”.

“A couple of councillors in particular are behaving like little children who rip the heads off Ken and Barbie dolls and throw them out of the sandpit because they don’t get their way,” he said.

Cr Cox said the no-show was a deliberate ploy to “delay and disrupt” which would have wider consequences for the community.

“Cost becomes a factor when decisions are delayed, which ultimately wastes ratepayer money,” he said.

Items due to be debated included options for the Sycamore BMX track and pavilion, which according to the officer’s report, required a decision “to enable a competitive tendering process to commence in early 2018”.

Spokesman for Lost Mernda Neil Johnson, who was at the meeting, said he and fellow gallery members were disappointed.

“I’m a ratepayer so where’s my representation? I just felt dumbfounded and underwhelmed,” he said.

Epping resident Gabi Alleyne, who was present to hear debate over a proposed roundabout for Lyndarum Dve, said she supported the councillors for not turning up.

“I’m glad the other councillors didn’t show up at least they are standing up for the residents and what is right,” Ms Alleyne said.

“These councillors tonight didn’t even take the time to speak to us and voted three weeks ago to push through a roundabout that will punish us all.

“Now they have no meeting and can’t continue to just make bad decisions against their constituents.

“This will show them that doing what is right is their responsibility and not to just go with officer recommendations, if that’s the case then why do we need them, to kiss babies and open ceremonies?”

The council estimates meetings cost $3500 to hold.

The abandoned meeting has been rescheduled for next Monday night.

All absent councillors had sent through apologies.

It’s understood Cr Lalios was present at two council functions during the day including one at chambers.

Cr Lalios and Cr Kirkham were contacted for comment.