Moira Shire Council sacked by Victorian Government

By Emma Prior

Mar 7, 2023

Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne has tabled the results of the Commission of Inquiry into the Moira Shire Council, resulting in the dismissal of Moira Shire council.

Moira Shire Council has been dismissed and an administrator appointed following the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the council being tabled in parliament on Tuesday, March 7.

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Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne received the findings last Tuesday and said the findings were damning.

“I acknowledge the comprehensive work completed by the Commissioners, Frances O’Brien KC and John Tanner AM,” Ms Horne said.

“The findings of the report are deeply concerning. Councils must properly represent the communities they serve, and Moira residents deserve to have a council that puts their interests first.

“I have accepted the Commission’s recommendation to dismiss the Council and appoint an interim Administrator.”

She said the government had introduced legislation into Parliament on Wednesday “to allow this to happen”.

“The interim Administrator will be appointed for a period of three months,” Ms Horne said.

“An ongoing panel of Administrators will follow this interim appointment and will be charged with addressing the serious issues identified in the report so that elections can be held at Moira Shire in 2028.

“I am confident that administrators will restore good governance to Moira Shire Council and provide a foundation for building effective leadership, project delivery, community engagement and a positive culture within Council.”

In April 2022 a municipal monitor was appointed to council after alleged breaches of code of conduct by a councillor before on-going concerns in cultural and governance issues resulted in the Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne ordering a Commission of Inquiry into the council.

Former chief operations manager for Moira Shire Council Rick Devlin was murdered by an employee of council in 2021, described in court last year as a “revenge attack” for grievances the employee had with council.

In 2013 close neighbours, the then Wangaratta City Council, were stood down because of rampant bullying and intimidating behaviour towards staff and councillors and waste of ratepayers funds.

A survey conducted by the Australian Services Union in April last year showed that only 36 per cent of the 16 respondents from Moira Shire Council agreed that they felt safe in their workplace.