Channels for communication

Horsham Rural City Council has moved to remind residents of pathways to provide comments or feedback.

People can lodge a service request for matters such as roadside or vegetation maintenance, council building maintenance, parking, animals or bins via the council’s website under its ‘contact us’ section. People can provide feedback to current projects online via its ‘have our say’ section.

If a query does not fit this criteria, people can submit a complaint, compliment or suggestion, also via the ‘contact us’ section of the website.

Councillors can be contacted on issues such as advocacy or community matters; they do not manage operational issues.

Jude Holt was appointed as municipal monitor for the council for a period of six months, following concerns with governance practices.

Ms Holt’s role is to observe governance processes and report on issues, provide advice to the council and make recommendations to Local

Government Minister Melissa Horne for further action. It does not include community engagement.

Local Government Victoria completes probity checks on municipal monitors prior to appointment.

Ms Holt declared her professional and community involvement, including her role on the Gwmwater board. Councillor Penny Flynn works at Gwmwater.

A spokesperson for Ms Horne moved to quell concerns of a conflict of interest.

The spokesperson said Ms Holt dealt with the water authority’s executive team and there was no occasion for her to interact with Cr Flynn.

“Ms Holt has provided assurances she has no previous relationship with any of the councillors at Horsham Rural City Council,” the spokesperson said.

“The government has been advised there is no actual conflicts of interest and is satisfied Ms Holt will be able to perform her duties as municipal monitor.”