STRATHBOGIE Shire Council has been suspended by the State Government until October next year, in response to a final report delivered by Peter Stephenson, the council’s second municipal monitor this term.
Mr Stephenson has been named the council’s interim administrator and the State Government has said a longer-term appointment will be made in due course.
The suspension applies to all Strathbogie Shire councillors and takes effect from Wednesday, December 6 until the next council elections in October 2024.
Mr Stephenson’s final report concluded the “council does not have the ability to address the issues raised in this report and to function effectively without further ministerial intervention”.
His report stated the issues identified by past municipal monitor Janet Dore in 2022 continued to persist, including councillors failing to understand their roles, failing to prepare adequately for meetings and demonstrating a lack of respect for the administration and the CEO.

The council and councillors were asked to consider the monitor’s report and