Municipal monitors have been appointed to three Victorian councils to guide newly elected councillors in their first year of elected representation following the local government elections.
Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne today announced Peter Stephenson, Cameron Boardman, Jude Munro, Peita Duncan and Marg Allan will serve as municipal monitors at Casey City, Whittlesea City and Strathbogie Shire Councils.
From 6 November 2024 until 6 November 2025, the monitors will support good governance as new councillors enter office and help prevent the recurrence of issues that led to each council's dismissal.
Casey and Whittlesea councillors were dismissed in 2020 until the 2024 elections, while Strathbogie councillors were dismissed in late 2023 for the remainder of the term.
Peter Stephenson and Cameron Boardman have been appointed as municipal monitors to Casey City Council. Peter Stephenson has served as an administrator at Strathbogie Shire Council, and has previously been appointed as a municipal monitor for the Rural City of Wangaratta and South Gippsland Shire Council.
Cameron Boardman will be transitioning from his role on the panel of administrators for Casey City Council, and is a Director of the Oceania Cyber Security Centre.
Jude Munro and Peita Duncan have been appointed as municipal monitors to Whittlesea City Council. Jude Munro brings substantial local government experience, having been CEO at four councils, and a former municipal monitor to Greater Geelong City Council.
Peita Duncan will be transitioning from her role on the panel of administrators for Whittlesea City Council and is the chair of Greyhound Racing Victoria.
Marg Allan has been appointed as municipal monitor to Strathbogie Shire Council. Marg Allan is a member of the Victorian Local Government Grants Commission, and was the municipal monitor for Moira Shire Council.
The Allan Labor Government has reformed the Local Government Act 2020 to improve culture, governance and integrity standards in Victoria's councils. The reforms have introduced stronger sanctions for councillor misconduct and improved processes to resolve conduct matters earlier.
In the new term, councils now have a uniform councillor code of conduct, creating consistent standards of behaviour and raising accountability. A program of mandatory training has been introduced for councillors and mayors, including annual professional development.
The Minister for Local Government has also strengthened powers to deal with councillors that are found to have created a serious risk to health and safety or are preventing their council from performing its functions.
The reforms have been developed in response to reports and recommendations from IBAC, the Chief Municipal Inspector and other interventions which highlighted the need for stronger processes and powers to resolve conduct issues, and better training so councillors can perform their roles effectively.
Further information about the reforms and the terms of reference for the monitors are available at localgovernment.vic.gov.au/council-governance.
As stated by Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne
"Victorians rightly expect newly elected councillors to maintain the high standard of governance put in place by the Administrators at these councils - these experienced monitors will guide incoming councillors in governance practices to help them best serve their community."
