A REPORT underpinning the state government’s decision to cancel the Brimbank Council elections has found political tensions in the area were too great to risk a return to elected councillors.
The report, prepared by consultant Doug Owens and delivered to Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell on March 7, supported the findings of the Bill Scales report prepared last November.
The Owens report found “it is clear persons previously named in either the Ombudsman or Scales reports will seek to be involved in a newly elected council. The extent of involvement is difficult to foresee.”
Mr Owens supported the view in the Scales report that historic tensions would be played out once again in the policies, processes and practices of any newly elected council. Governance issues would depend on the make-up of an elected council, but a date could not be put on when political tensions might dissipate.
Mr Owens argued elections risked reintroducing power relationships and alliances with potential to undermine good government and governance, therefore confidence in the administration of the council.
