The state government needs to intervene and conduct an investigation into the Gawler Council’s operations, says member for Light Tony Piccolo.
Mr Piccolo said he will appeal to State/Local Government Relations minister Gail Gago to carry out an inquiry into Gawler’s local government.
The move comes as one of council’s own elected members calls for an administrator to be appointed to take over the everyday running of the controversial council.
Mr Piccolo said complaints about the council, as well as allegations of misconduct, have prompted him to take action.
“I have received a number of complaints about the council, the alleged conduct of some elected members and alleged conduct of some officers to warrant a preliminary inquiry,” he said.
“I think there is a case for the minister to make some enquiries as to whether a prima facie case exists for a full inquiry into the operations of the council. If a preliminary inquiry found sufficient evidence to suggest that council is dysfunctional then a full inquiry would be warranted.”
Mr Piccolo said he will use a number of recent Herald articles relating to the council to push for the inquiry. The articles relate to a number of issues including council’s finances and financial management, the Gawler East and Evanston Park separate rate, community leases and elected member conduct.
As reported in the Herald last week, Gawler Council is carrying out an internal investigation into elected member Peter Russell’s behaviour after an alleged outburst in the council chamber.
The enquiry into the alleged breach of the code of conduct is the fourth of its kind the council has undertaken during the current term, with three others being carried out into allegations of misconduct against Gawler mayor Brian Sambell.
In response to the article, Mr Russell wrote a letter to the editor and posted a comment on the Herald’s website.
In his correspondence, he said he has lodged numerous complaints about council to the ombudsman.
“…I have requested repeatedly through the Ombudsman over the past few months that the issue of the competency of council and CEO, and the consideration of an administrator being appointed, be brought to the urgent attention of the minister,” he wrote.
Mr Russell made further comments on the Herald’s website.
“…The council does seem dysfunctional and unable to consult properly or provide effective community government,” he wrote.
Speaking to the Herald, Mr Russell reaffirmed his view that someone needs to intervene. “It’s just my opinion that an administrator needs to be appointed for a year or two,” he said. “He (the mayor) knows that I think he should be sacked along with all of the councillors.”
Mr Russell’s letter can be read in its entirety on page 12, while the online comment can be viewed at www.barossaherald.com.au.
Gawler Council chief executive officer Stephen Kerrigan said he was unaware of any complaints to the ombudsman regarding requests for the appointment of an administrator and he was disappointed there had been no contact with council in relation to calls for an inquiry.
State/Local Government Relations minister Gail Gago said she is aware of concerns relating to the council.
“I am aware there have been some concerns raised about the City of Gawler in the media,” she said. “At this time, my office has not received any complaints or information that would enable me or my department to make an assessment as to whether any enquiries need to be undertaken.”
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