Victorian Minister for Local Government, Nick Staikos, has tabled the final report from the Commission of Inquiry into Whittlesea City Council in the State Parliament.
The inquiry launched in May this year, with the Minister determining that an inquiry with broad powers was necessary to address potentially serious and systemic governance issues within the council and identify necessary improvements to ensure it could function effectively.
The Chair of the Commission Prue Digby and Commissioner Jim Gifford have recommended a range of reforms to improve governance at the council and across the local government sector.
“We thank Prue Digby and Jim Gifford for the Commission of Inquiry’s report and for their work,” said Minister Staikos.
“The events at Whittlesea City Council are serious and culminated in a unanimous vote of no confidence in the Mayor by Whittlesea’s 10 other councillors. It is clear that a municipal monitor is needed to assist the council’s administration.
“I expect the City of Whittlesea will use this opportunity to rectify the issues raised in the report – to reset and build a good governance framework that better serves ratepayers.”
Of the 17 recommendations, four are directed to the council and 13 to government across four key areas:
- the performance of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor;
- the performance of Councillors;
- the performance of the CEO and administration;
- the legislative framework.
On the Commission of Inquiry’s recommendation, Steven Kingshott has been appointed as Municipal Monitor to Whittlesea City Council from 15 October 2025 to 31 December 2026. Mr Kingshott will support the council in addressing the inquiry’s findings and recommendations.
The Government will consider the remaining recommendations and respond in due course.
Further information about the report and the terms of reference for the monitor are available at localgovernment.vic.gov.au/council-governance.
