City of Perth council house
UPDATE: The City of Perth is facing a staggering bill of $900-a-day for a new monitor tasked with overseeing local governance, leading to outrage among city officials. The total cost over a 13-week period will exceed $35,000, not including additional superannuation fees.
This urgent situation has prompted City of Perth councillor Catherine Lezer to label the circumstances as “embarrassing.” Just five years after a previous inquiry, the city finds itself again under scrutiny, causing significant concern among ratepayers. “It’s disappointing that we’re having to spend so much of ratepayers’ money on this after the $1.5 million that we spent five years ago,” Lezer stated.
The monitor, Carol Adams, a former mayor of the City of Kwinana, was appointed by Local Government Inspector Tony Brown to assess and improve governance practices within the city. As of Monday, Adams has begun her role, during which she will engage with the city three days a week, concluding her assessment on April 17. Her responsibilities include reviewing decision-making processes, observing meetings—including those held behind closed doors—and inspecting relevant documents.
“I will work proactively with the City of Perth to assist in resolving governance challenges,” Brown said, highlighting Adams’s substantial experience in local government as a critical asset.
The impact of these developments is immediate. The City of Perth’s audit, risk, and improvement committee is scheduled to hold a special meeting on Wednesday at 4 PM to discuss a confidential report labeled “psychosocial risk assessment.” This meeting, which involves key figures including Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds and other councillors, comes amidst increasing tension over governance issues.
Adams’s presence at the meeting underscores the urgency of the situation, as her findings will directly influence the city’s governance trajectory. The financial implications and the necessity for a monitor reveal a troubling trend in local governance that is sure to resonate with residents and taxpayers.
As the City of Perth grapples with these challenges, residents are left questioning the effectiveness of previous reforms and the management of their taxpayer dollars. The ongoing developments will be closely monitored, with residents eager for transparency and accountability in local government.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story, as the implications for the City of Perth and its community are profound and immediate.
