1909
VOL. 115
NO. 28
|
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 2, 2023
|
PRICE $1.50 INC GST
Reinventing an icon
Murder Charge
PAGE 3
PAGE 4
Dorset chaos: Councillors in BOI limbo BY RACHEL WILLIAMS THE FATE of Dorset Council is in limbo, with the Local Government Minister set to make an announcement as early as today on whether he will suspend the council. It follows an investigation by the Director of Local Government that found “evidence of systematic and widespread statutory non-compliance and failings of good governance”. The damning allegations were released last Wednesday afternoon and councillors were given two days to respond as to why they should not be stood down during a Board of Inquiry. “We are still in limbo,” Mayor Greg Howard said. “This is just a fishing exercise.” Dorset General Manager John Marik said the council would co-operate with the board of inquiry.
“Council operations will continue business as usual during the Board of Inquiry and we will continue to work hard to deliver on the 2023/24 Annual Plan, along with the projects and tasks within the 2023/24 budget estimates,” Mr Marik said. “As General Manager of Council I want
NOW SELLING
to fully co-operate in the investigation and ensure Council employees and the community are supported during this time of uncertainty.” The controversy stems from complaints raised to the Director of Local Government from some councillors and members of the public about the actions of the council. Minister for Local Government, Nic Street, said the matter was serious. “The investigation revealed evidence suggestive of improper use of statutory power; systematic failure to comply with statutory obligations; mismanagement of conflicts of interest; decision-making compromised by poor governance and disrespect for community members and businesses by the council,” he said. “The matters considered in the Director’s investigation were both historical and ongoing, raising concerns of a potentially entrenched culture of improper conduct.” The Board of Inquiry has been established to investigate the allegations and councillors face the very real prospect of being stood down during the sevenmonth process. Mr Street’s office would not comment on his decision as we went to print. Cr Howard said standing everyone down would be a travesty for the local community. “If we are suspended we lose access to emails and documents on our computers that we would need to make a STORY CONTINUES PAGE 3.
Muddy Mariners ■ READ MORE ABOUT THE SCALLOP FIESTA ON PAGE 5 SOCIAL PICTURES PAGES 6 AND 7
• Whitty Chatterton, 18 months from Hobart