Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas has been dismissed with immediate effect, and disqualified from holding civic office for five years.
Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig confirmed the dismissal after reaching the view that Mr Tsirekas could not continue in office in light of the evidence contained in ICAC’s Operation Tolosa report.
ICAC found that Mr Tsirekas had engaged in serious corrupt conduct leading to Mr Tsirekas’ suspension from 9th November.
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Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has decided not to dismiss the Upper Hunter Shire Council despite a petition signed by 1201 ratepayers expressing anger and disapproval of the council’s financial management.
The council has experienced significant financial losses at the Scone Airport, Warbird’s Museum, and Scone Saleyards.
It is also under investigation by the Office of Local Government over a road repair project that has left a crucial transport link closed for more than three years.
According to radio station 2NM, Moonan resident and lead petitioner Patricia Taylorpetition, described the Minister’s response as ‘weak’.
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Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath has been cleared of involvement in a controversial letter-writing campaign after an independent investigator found there was no evidence to support allegations that he had incentivised the author of the articles, Scott Neylon.
The Newcastle Herald (14th December 2023) has reported claims that investigators did not access the letters at the centre of the drama, and local MP Sonia Hornery is among those questioning the terms of the reference for the investigation.
She plans to ask the Local Government Minister to make the investigation report public.
Mr Bath has demanded an apology from Ms Hornery, who accused him under parliamentary privilege of authoring the letters.
Ms Hornery says there will be no apology and is refusing to back down from her claims.
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The sacked General Manager of Kyogle Council Graham Kennett says he was undermined by councillors during the current council term, making for a hostile workplace and considerable pressure on him and his family.
And there are now calls for the council to be sacked from the staff and community.
Mr Kennett told indyNR.com that his contract was terminated on Monday night using the ‘no fault’ clause, just a couple of months after receiving an above satisfactory performance review outcome.
Council staff have passed a vote of no confidence in the mayor and five councillors who voted for the termination and called for a public inquiry.
A petition has been launched by a group of residents in local shops calling for the council’s sacking and the appointment of an administrator.
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Tweed Shire Council has reappointed Meredith Dennis OAM as deputy mayor at an extraordinary meeting this week.
The first-term councillor was unopposed for the position and will continue to support Mayor Chris Cherry until elections in September next year.
Nathan Hagarty has resigned from Liverpool Council nine months ahead of the next council elections.
The Daily Telegraph reports the decision leaves the council with a majority of Liberal councillors, and it is being urged to keep the position vacant and avoid the half-million dollar cost of a by-election.