Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll has resigned as his council’s representative to the Limestone Coast Local Government Association Board citing dissatisfaction with unspecified governance matters.
The appointment of a successor to Mayor Noll was on the agenda of the Wattle Range Council special meeting in Millicent last week.
After 25 minutes of confidential discussions, Wattle Range Council decided not to nominate a replacement to Mayor Noll.
The council will still be obligated to pay almost $190,000 in membership fees to the LCLGA in the coming financial year.
Mayor Noll had spoken of his disquiet with LCLGA governance matters at council’s audit and risk sub-committee meeting on May 7.
The minutes of the sub-committee were subsequently discussed for 50 minutes on a confidential basis by the full council a week later.
In a statement to The SE Voice, Mayor Noll said the LCLGA is a wholly owned subsidiary of the seven member councils of the Limestone Coast, which the Wattle Range Council is one.
“The current operating environment of the LCLGA is the most unstable it has been for many years,” Mayor Noll said.
“As Mayor and a board member representing the Wattle Range Council, I have various responsibilities and obligations to my council and community that I will not compromise.
“I must always and will always ensure that I am comfortable with the governance and operation of the organisation.
“After due consideration, I resigned from the LCLGA Board on May 15.”
LCLGA president and Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin told The SE Voice that she acknowledged the resignation of Mayor Noll.
“However, Wattle Range Council remains a member of the LCLGA and I have written to its chief executive to seek an alternative nomination to the LCLGA Board,” Mayor Martin said.
“The matters Mayor Noll has raised have, and will be given due consideration by the LCLGA Board.”
Her letter to Mr Gower was tabled at the special meeting on Tuesday.
Mayor Noll said the meeting voted to receive and note its contents but take no further action.
Earlier this year, Mayor Noll made an unsuccessful bid to continue in the role of LCLGA vice-president.
First-term Tatiara District Mayor Liz Goossens won the secret ballot for the position.
Mayor Noll was nominated by the Mount Gambier and Grant councils while Ms Goossens was nominated by the Robe and Naracoorte Lucindale councils.
