Mount Gambier City Council Councillor Steven Perryman has resigned from the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre committee, after previously commenting that “it is inappropriate for the whole council to be on a committee”.

The committee is composed of all eight councillors and is responsible for providing advice to assist council in decision making on matters associated with the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre. This includes advice on grant funding, stakeholder and community engagement, advocacy and advice on the building and operation of the centre.

“At a previous council meeting I made comment about the membership of the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre Committee,” Cr Perryman said. “I would advise of my resignation, but I do not think that is sufficient in the circumstances as council has endorsed by resolution the Committee Terms of Reference including membership as eight councillors, so a resolution to amend the Terms of Reference would be required to give it effect.”

Cr Perryman asked the membership section of the Wulanda committee’s terms of reference be updated to reflect a committee of “up to eight councillors” from “eight councillors” as written prior, to allow him to leave the committee.

“Noting that an Elected Member Workshop is to be convened with the incoming chief executive officer to review council’s committee structure, meeting schedule and membership of standing committees, including membership of the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre Committee, I present this motion to amend the committee membership in the meantime to facilitate my resignation,” he said.

The report recommendation passed council after being moved by Cr Perryman and seconded by Cr Paul Jenner. However, the move was quizzed by fellow Cr Max Bruins. Cr Bruins asked why Cr Perryman was resigning from one committee and not another, the People and Place committee, to which Cr Perryman did not initially respond. After being asked by Mayor Lynette Martin if he intended to respond, Cr Perryman said “I view that committee differently, as the (Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre Committee) is for one project”.