Continuity of Community Services at Hobsons Bay

Published on 13 February 2025

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Acting CEO Rachel Sarah Lunn has commenced a range of measures to ensure that core services at Hobsons Bay City Council continue, that good governance is in place and that Council continues to serve the best interests of its community.

The Acting CEO has appointed former Local Government CEO Lenny Jenner to the temporary role of Acting Manager, Corporate Integrity. External local government expert Ingrid Bishop has been temporarily appointed as Acting Director Corporate Services. Local Government Victoria have approved both Ingrid and Lenny to its governance appointment candidate pool for Council Monitor and Administrator roles. Matthew Irving continues as Director Infrastructure and City Services. Equally experienced and qualified internal officers have also stepped into temporary acting appointments, including Steven Sagona in the role of Acting Director Sustainable Communities.

The Ordinary Council Meeting of 25 February 2025 will continue as scheduled. Core Council services such as city cleaning and waste collection, development control, local laws, and customer and community services have not been impacted by the current circumstances.

Council has already commenced investigations into a range of concerns and is cooperating with integrity agencies including WorkSafe and the Local Government Inspectorate on their examinations and investigations. Councillors cannot receive or consider complaints.

All current and former staff can raise concerns about safety, risk, organisational governance and integrity, or any other matter, through a centralised triage process at hobsonsbay@maddocks.com.au
Any concerns raised will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and will be given careful consideration.

Alternatively, anyone can find information on how to raise their concerns online or by phone with WorkSafe, the Local Government Inspectorate or other State integrity agency.

Quotes attributable to the Acting CEO of Hobsons Bay City Council, Rachel Sarah Lunn:

“We want to assure the community that Council staff remain committed to delivering important services for our community such as city cleaning and waste collection, development control, local laws, and customer and community services. We thank the community for their patience and consideration as Council staff move through this period of investigation and examination so that we may genuinely work together towards an even better Hobsons Bay for all.”

Quotes attributable to Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Cr Daria Kellander:

“Council is confident the acting executive team will ensure that essential services to our community continue to be delivered, and that our great staff continue to serve in a way that upholds good governance, our Community Vision and Values of Hobsons Bay. Councillors acknowledge that people are currently raising questions and concerns, and we ask that these are raised directly with Council or the appropriate integrity agency. Councillors cannot play a role in operational Council staff matters.”

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