WHITTLESEA: New Monitor at Council
The City of Whittlesea seems unable to shake the perception by the State Government that it requires external monitoring.
Local Government Minister Nick Staikos last week appointed Steven Kingshott (pictured) to be the Monitor for the Whittlesea municipality until the end of next year.
This follows a Commission of Inquiry into the troubled Council by Prue Digby and Jim Gifford, which was critical of Chief Executive Officer Craig Lloyd, suspended Mayor Aidan McLindon and other Councillors.
During the first part of the Councillors’ term after the October 2024 local government elections, the City of Whittlesea had two State-appointed Monitors: Peita Duncan and Jude Munro.
Ms Duncan had previously been an Administrator at the City of Whittlesea when all Councillors had beenc dismissed from 2020-2024. Ms Duncan served with Lydia Wilson and Bruce Bilson. Mr Bilson was replaced by Christian Zahra.
The instability at Whittlesea was marked by a succession of Chief Executive Officers: Craig Lloyd (now on a package of more than $400,000 annually), Joe Carbone (2020), Kevin Spiller, Simon Overland (sacked in 2019), Michael Wootton (sacked in 2017), and David Turnbull (left in 2016 after his contract was not renewed).
Mr Lloyd has raised eyebrows in some circles by continuing to be a part-time country music singer and songwriter, maintaining an active website, selling albums for $20 each.