The former mayor of Mildura Rural City, Councillor Jason Modica, has been suspended for a two month period after a conduct panel found he had engaged in serious misconduct.
The finding relates to a failure to declare a conflict of interest on three occasions during 2021, with regard to a planning application for the use of land for rural industry in the municipality.
Cr Modica has been ordered to make an apology to the council, alongside the suspension. He is also ineligible to chair a delegated committee until July.
Chief Municipal Inspector Michael Stefanovic, who made the application for the finding, said the decision shows the importance of declaring conflicts of interest for integrity and accountability in local government.