A single administrator has replaced Geelong’s 12 councillors and mayor after the Andrews Government controversially sacked them last week over bullying allegations.
Former academic and state departmental head Yehudi Blacher was sworn into his interim role at City Hall on Saturday.
He will act as mayor and councillors until the Andrews Government appoints three permanent administrators to take his place until council elections in October 2017.
“My first priority will be to offer every support to council staff,” Mr Blacher said.
“I want to start the process of bringing confidence and stability back into the organisation while ensuring that the normal functions of council continue.
“I’m grateful the City already has in place a very experienced CEO, Kelvin Spiller, with whom I intend to work to prepare the groundwork for the incoming administrators.”
Mr Spiller said his leadership team and broader organisation would “provide every assistance” to Mr Blacher during his work on council business and addressing the findings of a commission of inquiry into the bullying claims.
“We’re keen to learn from the commission’s report, to use it as a valuable blueprint for improvement, and get on with the business of running an efficient and well-governed organisation, which the residents of the city should have.
“And I’m proud to say that staff right across our organisation remain fully committed to doing the very best job they can to continue deliver quality services to our ratepayers.”
The inquiry report identified only former mayor Darryn Lyons despite detailing alleged bullying incidents involving other councillors and City Hallo staff. Mr Lyons accused the Labor State Government of sacking the entire council to tarnish his political reputation in case he ran against the party in one of the party’s local state or federal seats.
