Council future focus as BOI looms
March 27, 2024
An outcome from the Board of Inquiry into Dorset Council is a month away, with uncertainty about who will decide whether any dismissals are made, given Saturday’s election result.
The previous Minister for Local Government, Nic Street, is expected to retain his seat in Franklin, on the back of preferences from Eric Abetz and Jacqui Petrusma.
But, given the Liberals will need to cobble together a government, it could be weeks before a Cabinet and Ministerial portfolios are announced.
It’s not known if Mr Street, who stood down the council and initiated the Board of Inquiry last year, will retain the role.
“My wish is clearly for a new Minister for Local Government but it will be very difficult for a new minister to make a decision so early into the role, given they would have no real knowledge of how the Inquiry came about and the strength of allegations made,” Exiled Mayor Greg Howard said.
The Board of Inquiry was given a two-month extension to hand down its recommendations by Tuesday, April 30.
It is understood some councillors, staff, former staff and complainants will receive an email from the Board this Thursday, with a request to respond to the Inquiry’s preliminary findings.
The Board will then make recommendations on the council’s future – it can recommend individual councillors or the entire council be dismissed, and whether any charges are warranted.
If some councillors are dismissed, or some resign as at least three have publicly said they would regardless of the outcome, a recount from the last election would be held involving the unsuccessful candidates who wish to again nominate.
There were six unsuccessful candidates from the last election, in October 2022, who were excluded from the count and did not win a role on the council of nine.
If everyone is dismissed, a new election would be held.
Despite the uncertainty of Dorset Council’s elected representatives, staff have proceeded with finalising a response to the Future of Local Government Review Board.
Council agreed with the final report that recommends a “North-East” Council whereby the Dorset LGA would grow to include rural areas to the west from George Town and to the south-west of the City of Launceston.
General Manager John Marik said council was continuing to push for the inclusion of Weldborough, the Blue Tier mountain bike trails and farms near Ansons Bay from Break O’Day.
“Dorset and BODC have had very high-level discussions (and) …there was appetite from both sides to investigate the possible LGA boundaries between BODC and Dorset,” Mr Marik said.
Mr Marik said any review would occur when Dorset was in a position to conduct full feasibility modelling and costings.
“This would best align with the Board’s intent for the next phase of voluntary amalgamation discussions in mid-2025,” he said.