31 MAY 2023 | ISSUE 525 | FREE
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WATCHDOG RETURNS TO STRATHBOGIE SHIRE Strathbogie Shire is once again under the watchful eye of a municipal monitor with the Andrews Labor Government making the appointment to ensure good governance is maintained by the council.
keen to set the record straight on the appointment of a Municipal Monitor, “I want our community to be 100 percent clear. The monitor has been established at our request. It has not been imposed on Council,” he said. In 2023 the situation is very different. Local Government Minister, Melissa Horne requested that Council provide advice by 28 February 2023 about what actions it would take to address the ongoing issues identified by the former municipal monitor, Ms. Janet Dore’s report.
The first municipal monitor appointed to council, Ms Janet Dore was not enforced on Council, but rather to provide the shire with guidance.
Council informally agreed to actions in response to the monitor’s report, but withdrew a notice of motion for Council to formally accept the actions. The minister was then unclear if the Council would implement the recommendations as set out in response to the issues identified by the monitor.
At the time Councillor Raeburn held the position as Mayor of Strathbogie Shire Council and was
The second municipal monitor, Mr Stephenson’s appointment has been made in response to
concerns around governance and health and safety of councillors and staff. The monitor will examine why the Council has been unable to resolve issues identified by the previous monitor, over a 12-month appointment made at the request of the Council, and at the cost of ratepayers.
improve council accountability, governance and culture across the state through initiatives such as the Local Government Culture Project and the Women Leading Locally Program.
Mr Stephenson is a former mayor and councillor at Darebin, and has previously served as a monitor at Wangaratta and South Gippsland.
Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne said, “I thank Mr Stephenson for accepting this important role and know he will bring great insight and expertise to his work with the Strathbogie Shire Council.”
Mr Stephenson will use his time over the next three months to assess the council’s ability to best serve the community and will report to the Minister for Local Government on any further action needed.
“Municipal monitors have proven to be effective at guiding councils to make improvements in governance that help them better serve their communities.”
Mr Stephenson brings extensive experience and expertise to the role, having previously been appointed municipal monitor for Wangaratta and South Gippsland and served as mayor and a councillor at Darebin City Council.
The letter addressed to Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor, Ms Laura Binks regarding the appointment of the second municipal monitor from The Hon. Melissa Horne MP read as follows:
The Labor Government continues to support and
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