Municipal monitors called in to oversee Darebin City Council for second time
Darebin City Council has again come under the scrutiny of monitors after previous claims that bad behaviour among councillors had cost ratepayers more than half a million dollars.
Victoria
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Monitors have been called in to watch over a council in Melbourne’s north again, after a previous monitor claimed bad behaviour among councillors had cost ratepayers more than half a million dollars.
Local Government Minister Melissa Horne on Monday announced that two municipal monitors have been appointed to Darebin City Council to support “good governance processes and practices” amid fresh concerns.
The monitors, June Anstee and Ross Millard, will start on Monday and provide a report to Ms Horne at the end of their term, which finishes on December 31.
“Ms Anstee and Mr Millard will support Darebin City Council to improve governance and better meet the needs of the community it serves,” Ms Horne said.
In a statement, Darebin City Council said it shares Ms Horne’s commitment to good governance.
“Councillors and the organisation will work together with the monitors to strengthen and improve practices,” the statement said.
However, this is not the first time the state government has been forced to call in a monitor to oversee the council.
Ms Horne appointed monitor John Watson in April 2022, following calls for the state government to intervene amid allegations of bullying and petty infighting among councillors.
Mr Watson handed down his report in April 2023, finding that the “very poor behaviour” of councillors – which included bullying of staff – had cost the community a “conservative” minimum of $600,000 since the council was elected in 2020.
He labelled expenses incurred by poor councillor conduct “high and unnecessary costs” and said the financial circumstances of the municipality were “not healthy”.
More than $500,000 was poured into councillor code of conduct matters, such as mediation between councillors, according to the report.
At the time, Darebin City Council mayor Julie Williams said the council accepted the report as an “important opportunity to address the challenges highlighted”.
In a statement, the state government on Monday said that while Darebin City Council had taken steps to address concerns raised in Mr Watson’s report, work is “still needed to improve its governance processes and practices”.
“The monitors will work closely with Darebin City Council to ensure governance and other improvements are fully implemented and will ensure stability at the council following the October 2024 elections,” the statement said.
The City of Darebin covers the suburbs of Preston, Reservoir and Thornbury.
Ms Anstee was previously the president of the Councillor Conduct Tribunal for Brisbane City Council, while Mr Millard held a role within the Local Government Inspectorate in Victoria.
Monitors were also appointed to Moonee Valley City Council and Brimbank City Council in January and February this year.
The state government will introduce new legislation before the local council elections in October 2024 to elevate governance and integrity standards across Victoria’s 79 councils.
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