The latest turn of events at the Mt Barker Council is alarming.
For conflict in the council chamber to escalate so far that a long-term councillor resigns on the spot is representative of deep-seated culture issues.
And it’s not the first sign that things are getting out of hand at the council.
Cr Sally Harding suddenly resigned last year, citing ‘personal reasons’, while Cr Rebecca Hewett walked out of the chamber mid-meeting earlier this year after effectively being silenced by multiple interruptions from other councillors.
What is particularly troubling, is that what has unfolded within the Mt Barker Council is reminiscent of what we’ve seen over the past 18 months at the neighboring Adelaide Hills Council.
Both councils are embroiled in divisions which seem to centre around elected members’ behavior and, concerningly, a lack of respect for one another.
At the Adelaide Hills Council, the conflict has resulted in a spike in legal costs, while the Mt Barker Council looks set to fork out tens of thousands of dollars for another supplementary election, the last of which cost $55,000.
Ratepayers don’t want to see their rates wasted on resolving interpersonal disputes through legal advice or supplementary elections.
In the midst of a cost of living crisis, ratepayers rightly expect that elected members will lay aside personal differences, petty grievances and aggressive behaviors to do what they were elected to do – make decision which are in the best interest of the community.
It is normal and healthy that councillors won’t agree on every matter.
They were elected by a diverse constituent and therefore their views and positions on local matters are also likely to be varied.
But Mt Barker and Adelaide Hills councillors need to learn how to deal with their differences in a mature and respectful manner or risk losing the confidence of those who elected them.
Mt Barker Councillors must resolve learn from this latest dispute, because they simply have to do better.
