NEWS DESK
Council drops bid to recover costs Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has decided against pursuing Cr Antonella Celi for thousands of dollars she allegedly spent over her allowances. Councillors last week reversed an earlier decision for the shire to seek repayment of what appeared to be about $9000 over what was allocated to her for conferences and seminars. After the meeting, Cr Hugh Fraser told The News that the matter had been a ”whitewash”, with no information provided on the management decisions surrounding Cr Celi’s expenses claims. However, the matter is unlikely to be resolved soon, with Cr Fraser already planning to move a recission motion at next council meeting. A notice of motion put forward by Cr Anne Shaw that there had been “no overpayment” and to cease recovery action, ignited fiery debate and calls by Cr Fraser that the process had not been investigated improperly. Councillors are allowed $4000 a year to attend conferences and seminars, but at council’s 26 April meeting, it was heard that Cr Celi’s spending had reached $28,520 during her current four year term. It was agreed at that meeting that Cr Celi should repay the money allocated to her under her entitlements for conferences and seminars, and repay costs
of legal advice from Maddocks Lawyers sought by council at her request in March. Monday’s reprieve for Cr Celi came despite angry calls from Cr Fraser that the lawyers investigating the issue were not given information about the $4000 expenses limit, and that there had been no management report outlining details of the expenses requests. It is understood the advice from Maddocks cast doubts on the shire’s ability to reclaim money from councillors. Governance manager Joe Spiteri said the confidential legal advice would be made public at council’s next meeting. He said the solicitors were given “all relevant information” in providing their advice and that the motion intended to amend the earlier motion to recover the money. Not happy with this explanation, Cr Fraser further questioned Mr Spiteri, this time on the adherence to a council rule stating that a previous resolution could only be revoked if it had not been acted upon. As no recovery action on the overspending had begun, Mr Spiteri said the notice of motion was “valid”. The motion to note that Cr Celi had not overspent and that no recovery would be pursued was supported by Crs Bev Colomb, Anne Shaw, Andrew Dixon, David Garnock and David Gibb, with Crs Graham Pittock, Tim Wood, Fraser and Tim Rodgers against. Cr Celi left the chamber during the debate and vote.
Water world: Hard hats rule as residents and engineers tour the Tyabb Reservoir renewal project.
Reservoir puts on show for locals RESIDENTS had a chance to visit Melbourne Water’s Tyabb Reservoir renewal project, Friday 20 May, to gain a better understanding of the works in progress. Drinking water is piped to the reservoir from Melbourne Water’s Cardinia Reservoir and Tarago treatment plant. An embankment inside the reservoir will create two basins, with new covers and linings. Melbourne Water project manager
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Kerri Skelton said the opening gave residents a rare behind-the-scenes look into the project. “We wanted to invite our close neighbours to show them the scale of the construction of this important project,” she said. The works have already necessitated 1375 truck deliveries for the 44,000 tonnes of rock for the 70 per cent completed embankment. Former councillor Aldona Martin said residents were pleased with the
consultation before the start of works. “Residents have been included on an ongoing basis, with updates at every stage of the process, including two on-site visits. The impact of heavy traffic movements has also been carefully and respectfully managed,” Ms Martin said. The Tyabb Reservoir Renewal Project began in March and will continue until the end of the year.
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Western Port News 31 May 2016
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