Dean Hurlston, President of Council Watch Victoria, expressed concern about the perceived lack of respect and civility among councillors in an email to Minister Melissa Hoarne.
He urged swift intervention to address the situation and pointed out instances of poor conduct during proceedings. It included councilor’s being overly focused on their mobile phones during important deliberations, which undermined effective governance.
Emphasising the urgency of the matter Hurlston said the standards of councillor conduct demand respect and civility between councillors and the community.
“I am aware of MANY problems amongst the councillor group, multiple conduct matters, pending VCAT appeals, the list goes on,” said Hurlston,
Hurlston also underscoring the urgent need for intervention to ensure effective governance in Wyndham, one of Melbourne’s largest Local Government areas.
The meeting, initially designed to foster vigorous discussion, instead revealed the underlying tensions and rifts within the council members. The tangible sense of frustration and disagreement led to proposals for the Minister to appoint a monitor to supervise the council’s activities.
In a tumultuous swirl of accusations, Council Watch has sounded the alarm, beseeching authorities to step in before the impending election unleashes an even darker storm upon governance.
The Mayor, haplessly caught in the crossfire of ceaseless power struggles and verbal jousts, struggled to maintain order as certain councillors relentlessly vied for control, casting a pall over any hope for productive discourse.
Council Watch, witnessing this unraveling spectacle, voiced solidarity with the besieged Mayor, grappling with the disruptive antics of colleagues who seemed bent on derailing progress at any cost.
Pointing to specific instances during the meeting, Council Watch highlighted timestamps corresponding to disruptive behaviour, including a public call for monitors by Cr. Heather Marcus.
“These behaviours are unacceptable, disrespectful, and downright rude,” said Hurlston, urging the council to uphold higher standards of conduct in future proceedings.
Council Watch has extended an invitation to the Mayor for a discussion about the improvement of councillor standards and behavior, underlining the pressing need to address alarming developments.
With internal strife and governance challenges in Wyndham Council, the focus is on the necessity of prompt and resolute action to restore order and maintain effective governance principles
As the council navigates through these challenges triggered by concerning councillor conduct, it’s become imperative for stakeholders to prioritise transparency, accountability, and integrity in their actions moving forward.
