Victorian Local Government Minister, Melissa Horne, has today received a final report from the municipal monitor appointed to the Wodonga Council.
The Minister said the report noted positive changes in the Council’s performance and noted some areas for further improvement.
The report did not recommend further intervention.
“I acknowledge the extensive work completed by the monitor Janet Dore between April 2022 and January 2023,” Ms Horne said today.
“Ms Dore made recommendations in her report about general improvements in governance, culture and conduct that could be applied across the local government sector.
“I have asked Local Government Victoria to review the recommendations with sector-wide implications as part of our ongoing work to improve performance and governance in Victorian councils,” she said.
Ms Dore recommended to the Minister that she consider stronger authority within the Council Chamber for Mayors and CEOs through clear powers over behavioural and code of conduct issues.
She asked that support be given for councils to understand and realise the benefits of the role of Monitor, including the ability for the Mayor and CEO to request comment from the Monitor within the Council Chamber on governance matters.
Ms Dore also sought consideration of arrangements to support the health and safety of Council CEOs, including the responsibility of Councils to address any risks to the health and safety of a CEO.
“After nearly 12 months of disruption including the loss and replacement of two Councillors, the resignation of the CEO, the recruitment and induction of the new CEO, a changeover of Mayor and Deputy Mayor, and the appointment of a Monitor, the Council and administration have an opportunity to move forward in a positive way, however, it is imperative that respect for each other and an understanding of the clear role of separation as defined in the Act is practised,” Ms Dore stated in her final report.
Ms Dore was first appointed as municipal monitor for the council in April last year.
Read the full report here.