The perceived injustice to Cardinia counillor Collin Ross over his uncompensated legal fees carried over to the shire’s budget meeting on Monday night.
The budget for 2022-26 passed, despite Cr Carol Ryan calling for division and opposition from she and some of her colleagues, two of whom came in remotely because they have Covid-19.
Mayor Jeff Springfield, Deputy Mayor Tammy Radford and councillors Jack Kowarzik and Brett Owen voted in favor of the budget being adopted, while councillors Ryan, Ross and Kaye Cameron were opposed.
Cr Ryan said she found it difficult to find “equality” within the budget as it did not offer compensation to Cr Ross, following an investigation into his travel expenses.
“Until this budget includes repaying $11,500 for legal fees to Cr Ross incurred during the investigation into his travelling expenses, which included council spending $80,000 in legal fees of ratepayers money and over 100 hours as least of paid managers time, the budget cannot be deemed as fair, due to the inspectors finding of no wrongdoing of Cr Ross,” Cr Ryan said.
Her views were supported by Cr Cameron, who at last week’s council meeting put forward a motion stating “that the council, either through its insurers or as a direct council cost, reimburse Cr Collin Ross…in full for all expenses incurred by him in defending himself against allegations made by council resolution in the term of the previous council, that he had wrongly claimed travel expenses“.
“I concur with Cr Ryan,” Cr Cameron said.
”I don’t think this budget is particularly fair and I think there’s adjustments that need to be made for the whole community to make it a fair honest and just budget.”
Cr Ross was demanded to provide council with detailed answers to questions relating to his claims for travel expenses incurring in the previous four years.
The matter was investigated by the Local Government Inspectorate in late 2020 but found insufficient evidence of a breach of the Local Government Act 1989 or Crimes Act 1958 by Cr Ross.
Key projects identified in the budget for the $99.49 million Capitals Works program 2022-23 include $3.9 million for the Cardinia Youth Facility building, $10 million for the ‘Sealing the Hills’ program, $16 million for Princes Highway Intersection Upgrade Works, and $3.6 million for the Kooweerup Bowls and Community Pavilion.
The ’Sealing the Hills’ program will be funded through government grants, as will the Princes Highway Intersection works, which will also be supported by developer contributions.
$57.78 million of capital expenditure has been committed to asset renewals and upgrades, including roads, bridges and footpaths.
Cr Owen, who acted as temporary chair of the meeting due Mayor Springfield’s inability to attend in person, described the budget as one “that looks after the entire shire”.
“I do think it is a budget that is for all,” Cr Owen said.
“It doesn’t matter where you live in Cardinia Shire, this budget is catering for you.
“I do think it’s fair, it’s gone through a long process and this started back in November/December.”
Mayor Springfield and Deputy Mayor Radford attended the meeting online due to having to isolate after contracting Covid-19.
“I feel it’s going to be more difficult to try and chair the meeting on-screen and observe everyone, so I’m going to step down and hand it over to the CEO to call for nominations for a temporary chair for the remainder of the meeting,” Mayor Springfield said.
To view the budget, head to the Shire’s website at cardinia.vic.gov.au/meetings/meeting/174/special_council_meeting.
