Ex-mayor denies claims

Hearing into allegations of misuse of office

A FORMER East Coast mayor has denied she used her position to gain $3300 in council funds by renting out her Triabunna B&B to two general managers.

Debbie Lee Wisby, 51, previously the mayor of Glamorgan Spring Bay, resigned in July 2020, midway through her four-year-term, claiming “unfair criticism” had impacted her health and wellbeing.

She later pleaded not guilty to four allegations dating back to 2019, including two counts of improper use of information and two counts of misuse of office. On Tuesday in the Hobart Magistrates Court, prosecutor Emily Bill said Ms Wisby – because of her position as mayor – was privy to information that two general managers required accommodation.

She said it was alleged Ms Wisby (inset) “inappropriately used that information to obtain an advantage”, by renting them her Triabunna accommodation, Merle’s Cottage.

The first of those general managers, Ian Pearce, gave evidence via video link that he had been looking for accommodation closer – within walking distance – to the council chambers in Triabunna.

He said Merle’s Cottage was usually $600 per week, but he got a discount because of the council’s financial position, which he said “wasn’t in the best condition”.

“They were solvent, but they were sailing fairly close to the wind, shall we say,” Mr Pearce said.

He said it wasn’t unusual for a council to pay for the accommodation of an incoming general manager – and that at the time, he wasn’t aware of any other accommodation in the town that met his requirements. Mr Pearce also said other council staff were aware he was staying at Ms Wisby’s accommodation.

Harry Galea, who also worked as acting general manager at the council during 2019, stayed at Ms Wisby’s accommodation for $300 per week.

He said he only had a weekand-a-half to find lodgings.

“I saw it as something of a blessing to find something available, and at a rate I thought was reasonable,” Mr Galea said.

“There was no secrecy.” Defence lawyer Chris Gunson SC said Ms Wisby had not gained an advantage – comparing the situation to a person who runs the only petrol station in town, only to later be elected to council, with council continuing to use their services. He said there were no clear rules stipulating the arrangements “couldn’t be done”.

Mr Gunson also said there was nowhere else suitable to stay in Triabunna.

“If she was charging more than her nightly rate, they might have something to complain about. But it was at a substantial discount,” he said.

The case, before Magistrate Michael Daly, will return to court on June 29.