Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin has announced that Wattle Range Council has quit the Limestone Coast Local Government Association.
The shock departure follows months of Wattle Range Council being at loggerheads with the peak regional body.
Mayor Martin has been president of the LCLGA for the past two years and said the region’s six other councils were extremely disappointed to learn of the Wattle Range Council decision.
She said Wattle Range Council Mayor Des Noll had told her of his council’s decision which is understood to have been made during lengthy discussions behind closed doors at its monthly meeting in Millicent on Tuesday night.
The agenda had a 50-page confidential report about the LCLGA and the minutes state the outcome of the discussions remains ‘ín confidence’.
In line with the LCLGA constitution, Wattle Range Council will still be obliged to pay its $191,000 annual affiliation fee to the peak regional body in this financial year.
Wattle Range Council yesterday provided newsrooms with a statement about the LCLGA but its contents cannot be disclosed until 8.30am today (Friday).
Mayor Martin said the six remaining LCLGA councils acknowledge and respect the resolution of the Wattle Range Council.
“We wish them well in their future endeavours as an independent council from the LCLGA,” Mayor Martin said.
“The LCLGA looks forward to continuing its work with a dedicated group of councils, all of whom are committed to promoting the Limestone Coast region and advancing the interests of their communities, and will in coming days meet to consider our future direction and model.
“The LCLGA has a proud history of achievement over many decades, and more recently, advocacy for a Cross Border Commissioner, for improved health services and regional road networks for freight and safety for tourists and our community members.
“Substance Misuse Limestone Coast and the regional Leadership program were auspiced by the LCLGA, with the former operating independently and the latter now with the Limestone Coast RDA. The Limestone Coast Regional Sports Academy, Connected and Active Communities, and regional tourism destination development are also projects of the regional organisation.
“Last year saw the historic investment for mobile phone coverage in the Limestone Coast with the Federal Government providing $15m, the State Government $5.5m, along with funding from member councils of the Limestone Coast to provide 27 new mobile base stations across the Limestone Coast.
“The LCLGA member councils remain committed to working for the betterment of the region.”
