MURRINDINDI: Paid regularly, Councillor did not attend for 9 months
Kinglake’s Cr Jodi Adams (pictured) has not attended Murrindindi Shire Council’s meetings since November last year.
It is understood that Cr Adams, whose resignation took effect from last Thursday (Aug. 13), has continued to be paid about $2342 by the Council for each of the nine months.
Cr Adams attended the November 19, 2025, ‘virtually’, and according to the Shire Council Minutes, she never came back.
The Minutes record her absent from each of the meetings on November 26, December 17, January 21, February 25, March 25, April 22, May 6, May 27, June 3, June 17 and July 22.
At the February 25 meeting, Ms Adams successfully applied for four months’ leave ending June 24.
Cr Adams was elected to represent the Kinglake Ward in October 2024 and held Council’s Community Wellbeing portfolio during her term.
Describing herself as a ‘Mental Health Peer Worker and consumer representative for Palliative Care Australia’, Cr Adams was said to have extensive experience working with vulnerable people.
Her pre-election publicity said she was “passionate about promoting quality of life for all residents, regardless of their circumstances”. “Her campaign prioritises accessible community infrastructure, road upgrades, and better services for youth,” said pre-election publicity.
Cr Adams has been on personal leave from her Councillor duties prior to her resignation.
Murrindindi Shire Mayor Cr Damien Gallagher thanked Cr Adams for her service to Council and the Kinglake community.
“On behalf of Council, I would like to thank Jodi for her service to the Kinglake Ward and the broader Murrindindi Shire community,” Cr Gallagher said.
“Serving as a Councillor is a significant commitment, and we acknowledge the contribution she has made during her time on Council.
“We wish Jodi and her family all the very best for the future.”
A Council media release noted that Cr Adams said it had been an honour to serve the Kinglake community and work alongside fellow Councillors and Council staff during her time.
The resignation creates an extraordinary vacancy in Kinglake Ward. As Kinglake Ward is a single-councillor ward, the vacancy will be filled through a by-election conducted by the Victorian Electoral Commission.
The Council says it will work with the VEC to facilitate the election process. Information regarding key dates, candidate nominations and voting arrangements will be published once confirmed.
Local government sources said that Councils have little option but to grant applications by Councillors for ‘planned leave’.
Allowances to Councillors are calculated on an annual basis, and in Murrindindi Shire that allowance for Councillors is $28,110 for 12 months.
The Mayor Allowance is $91,613 per annum. The Deputy Mayor Allowance is $45,807 per annum.
The sources say that the Council had little option but to pay Cr Adams each pay cycle.
Murrindindi Council says that it recognises the importance of ensuring Kinglake Ward residents continue to have avenues to raise local issues and seek assistance during this period.
“We want Kinglake residents to know that Council remains accessible and engaged throughout this transition,” Cr Gallagher said.
“We will continue to work with the community and keep residents informed as the process to elect their new Ward Councillor progresses.”
Further information regarding the by-election will be provided by the Victorian Electoral Commission and published by the Council.