Council Briefs: Inquiry cost; Misconduct; NCAT ruling; Eureka Flag stable

News

Per the Cobram Courier: the cost of a Commission of Inquiry into governance failings at Moira Shire Council that led to the appointment of administrators until 2028 has been revealed.

Over $921,894 in inquiry costs were incurred by the council, with a further $760k spent on asbestos remediation.

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Per The Advertiser: Mitcham councillor Darren Kruse has been found by SA Ombudsman Emily Strickland to have committed misconduct by remaining in a council meeting where his own behavioural breaches were being discussed.

The misconduct stemmed from two previous incidents in 2023 where Kruse had interactions with ratepayers – one involving a refusal to stand for an Acknowledgement of Country, and another regarding his response to a childhood photo found online.

Following the Ombudsman’s investigation, Kruse was required to make a public apology, receive a reprimand, and attend training as consequences for failing to declare a material conflict of interest during the meeting.

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The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) has upheld City of Parramatta Council‘s right to protect commercial in confidence information, particularly regarding the Parramatta Eels Commercial Partnership Agreement.

The Council said the decision supports its stance on balancing transparency with governance, ensuring businesses can have confidential discussions with Council while maintaining public confidence in city management.

Meanwhile, the council says it has nearly tripled the value of its investment in a three-year partnership with Parramatta Eels in its first year.

Ballarat City Council reported that the Eureka Flag, a significant historical artifact from the 1854 Eureka Stockade in Ballarat, remains in stable condition after 170 years according to a recent conservation assessment conducted in March 2025.

The flag, which is housed at the Eureka Centre and attracts thousands of visitors monthly, undergoes annual inspections to ensure its preservation for future generations while serving as a powerful symbol of Australian democracy.