Wingecarribee Shire councillors have spoke out over the dismissal of council, with one dismissed councillor saying it was a "sad day democracy" for residents in the Southern Highlands.
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Their comments come after the Minister of Local Government, Wendy Tuckerman, dismissed all councillors following the public inquiry.
Wingecarribee Shire Council will continue to be run by administrator Viv May until September 2024.
Dismissed mayor Duncan Gair said it was a sad day for democracy in the Highlands.
"The shire is now going to miss out on community debate from community representatives, with varying opinions on various issues," he said.
"I think those councillors who have given the service to the community can hold their head up and be proud of their achievements.
"It's a very sad day for the democracy of the Highlands to have an administrator for another two years when there is no reason for fresh elections to be called as soon as possible."
Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said there were no restrictions to stop the dismissed councillors from running for local council again.
"This is a democracy, and anyone who is entitled to run for the election will be able to do so," she said.
"But having said that, you know, it's the community that elects the governing body, and one would hope they will be very discerning on selecting."
However, not all dismissed councillors share the same view.
Ian Scandrett said he was pleased for the community and commended Minister Tuckerman and Nathaniel Smith for their actions.
"The full reset of Wingecarribee Shire Council and the organisation was essential and I am confident the very good administration under Viv May and general manager Lisa Miscamble will continue to resolve major issues," he said.
"I hope that a fresh crop of candidates emerge for 2024, and that they start to network now - I certainly will be watching."
Gair hasn't completely ruled out a return to local politics, telling the Southern Highland News he wasn't sure what the future held for him.
"It's two years away. It's just too far out," he said.
"It's not that I don't want to answer the question. I don't want to say no and then turn around in two years and say I'm going to and vice versa."
Peter Nelson doesn't have any plans to return as a Wingecarribee Shire councillor.
"I'm done and dusted," he said.
"It was always a one-term goal. I've missed five years of Wednesday golf."
The dismissed councillor said the dismissal was "always on the cards".
"I feel sorry for the community because democracy has been killed in the shire," he said.
"They should have had an election. Three other councils are having elections. There's no reason why we shouldn't have an election."
Another dismissed councillor, Graham McLaughlin said he wasn't surprised by the decision.
"I'm disappointed, but I'm not surprised," he said.
"It's disappointing that there's not going to be an election until September 2024, and I think that's a shame for this community."
Like Nelson, McLaughlin has no plans to run for council in 2024.
"I had intended for 2020 to be the end of my three terms on council," he said.
"It would have been nice to have gone out that way rather than this way."
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Vera Demertzis
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
