Troubled Hobsons Bay City Council in Victoria is being monitored for six months to ensure good governance processes and practices are upheld.
The move – announced by Local Government Minister Nick Staikos – follows the suspension of senior council executives earlier in the year amid claims of systemic bullying at council’s headquarters in Altona.
John Tanner has been appointed municipal monitor to Hobsons Bay City Council – which serves around 92,000 residents – from 2 June until 31 December. A municipal monitor is an individual appointed by a state government to observe and advise a council facing governance issues.
“I have directed Mr Tanner – under the terms of reference for municipal monitors – to advise, assist, and support the council to improve its governance processes and practices,” Staikos said.
Tanner will work with council two to three days a week. His main function is “to provide relevant assistance to council to improve its governance, processes and practices following the appointment of a new executive team,” reads a Hobsons Bay statement.
“Council is committed to continuing to deliver excellent services to its community, and to ensuring the health and wellbeing of its staff,” continues the statement. “Council acknowledges it is undergoing a period of transformation, and all staff, executive, and councillors will provide Mr Tanner any support and assistance he requires during his time as municipal monitor to help it on that journey.”
Tanner – an expert in local government who chaired a panel of administrators appointed to the Moira Shire Council in 2023 – will provide Staikos with a report at the end of the monitoring period.
“Mr Tanner will work to ensure good governance is restored so that council services are delivered effectively, the health and wellbeing of council staff is prioritised, and the community is better involved and represented,” Staikos said.
In March 2020, the Victorian Government introduced significant reforms to the Local Government Act to strengthen governance and integrity standards across the state’s 79 councils. The reforms include a Model Councillor Code of Conduct, mandatory induction training for mayors and councillors, and changes to election processes and candidate requirements.
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