Monitors ‘not needed’
Councillors confident they can work without supervision
GEELONG councillors are keen to be free of the watchful eyes cast over them as a result of a damning Commission of Inquiry report into the conduct of the previous council.
Mayor Bruce Harwood is seeking a meeting with the State Government as councillors call for the removal of monitors Jude Munro and Peter Dorling from their watchdog roles. The State Government appointed the ratepayer-funded monitors to guide the new-look council after the 2017 election, following a period of administration.
The pair were installed to watch over the council until the 2020 elections.
While discussing the council’s transformation program at a meeting on Tuesday night, Cr Eddy Kontelj said the council was well placed to be rid of the monitors.
“As a team, we’re working extremely well together from my observation and certainly my desire would now be to encourage the Mayor to start having discussions with the State Government about the need for monitors to continue,” Cr Kontelj said.
“I think we’re now a mature group that can stand on their own two feet.
“I really encourage the Mayor, if he was of a like mind, to start to talk to the State Government to allow us to commence looking at allowing us to operate as a fully functioning council in our own right without the need (for) monitors.”
Deputy Mayor Peter Murrihy endorsed Cr Kontelj’s comments.
Cr Harwood told council he had written to new Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek inviting him to come to Geelong and discuss the council’s progress.
“The minister will no doubt ... be across our work in the last 12 months,” Cr Harwood said.
“That invitation is in the mail and I’m expecting a positive response in the new year when I’ll be able to sit down with the minister and have an open and frank discussion about we’re where at and where we see our future.”
Mr Somyurek said the people of Geelong deserved “first class services and excellent governance — and that’s exactly what these monitors are working towards”.
“I look forward to receiving the letter from Cr Harwood and will be sure to meet with him in the new year.”