GINGIN SHIRE PULLS MENTAL HEALTH CARD TO COVER DYSFUNCTION

COMMENT: Gingin shire raised concerns on its social media page over “the nature and volume of public commentary” directed at staff and council over various issues covered exclusively by StreetWise Media since the start of 2026.
It said: “The shire acknowledges and respects the community’s right to express views, ask questions and hold local government accountable. However, recent commentary across social media platforms and some media outlets has escalated to a point where staff are being personally targeted. In many instances, information being circulated is inaccurate, misleading or unverified, and the cumulative impact of this commentary is creating significant psychosocial risks within the workplace.”
It added the need to respond to accusations and media enquiries was a significant burden on resources, with ‘time and effort’ increasingly diverted to address inaccurate claims and manage the impacts of ongoing public criticism. The shire says it has sought legal advice and warned any threat against a person or property will be reported to police: “Investigations are also underway regarding recent incidents involving the disclosure of confidential information and anonymous online profiles.”
StreetWise has since the start of this year published reports concerning dodgy shire minutes, elected members’ conflicts of interest, breaches, skimpies, missing shire property including hundreds of timber floorboards, a new air-conditioner and approximately 1.5 million litres of water used at a shire-owned house on Lefroy Street, reported exclusively at https://www.streetwisemedia.com.au/wheatbelt-shire-misplaces-hay-prime-jarrah-1-5-million-litres-of-water/.
When asked questions, the shire has NEVER responded except once when president Linda Balcombe went online to clear up why staff Christmas parties were held on topless night at a local hotel in Gingin.
So what ‘volume of public commentary’ has the shire dealt with exactly? The only issue mainstream media has covered is erosion of the Lancelin coast and six-month appointment of local government monitor Shayne Silcox. None have covered the issues raised by ratepayers, and StreetWise, since the electors meeting on February 3.
What resources has the shire increasingly spent to ‘address inaccurate claims’ and, particularly, managing, ‘impacts of ongoing public criticism’? Will this expenditure be disclosed to ratepayers? The monitor? The only ‘management’ StreetWise can see is time the shire has wasted dismissing ratepayers’ legitimate questions.
What ‘inaccurate, misleading or unverified’ commentary is creating significant psychosocial risks? And how many staff have been ‘personally targeted’? Have staff put in a claim?
In his insincere defence of shire staff, acting CEO James Bayliss refers to personal attacks and intimidation, but does not specify by whom. Individuals? Media? Or just online social media posts that can be read, ignored or reported.
Mr Bayliss’s time would be better served dealing with ratepayers’ ongoing concerns than pulling the mental health card to bash media. Judging by his protestations, the shire media team must be working flat out! So how many media enquiries has the shire received and resolved?
Mr Bayliss took on the acting CEO role after Scott Wildgoose was suspended in February pending a workplace investigation. He resigned on May 22 when council was presented with a ‘secret’ investigation report that found his predecessor was involved in sexual misconduct at work. This report has never seen the light of day and Mr Wildgoose is free to go.
Three ‘whistleblowers’ also resigned after hundreds of jarrah floorboards removed from CU@ Cafe ended up at the property of a shire executive who advertised them for sale online before she and former CEO Aaron Cook resigned in 2024.
The jarrah timbers have never been recovered nor has a new $10,000 evaporative air-conditioner that allegedly was installed at the same address. Gone. It appears neither Mr Wildgoose or Bayliss made any attempt to recover council assets and peanlise those responsible.
Mr Bayliss is yet to explain despite ratepayers’ requests and councillors’ questions over the massive water and power bills at 37A Lefroy Street, a shire property occupied by a senior executive who resigned after more than 1 million litres of water was used since January this year.
The executive will work alongside Mr Bayliss until she takes up her new position as CEO at Boddington. StreetWise left her a message last week.
As for respecting the community’s right to “express views, ask questions and hold local government accountable”, Mr Bayliss and elected members of council actually voted not to have a monitor installed at Gingin and recently went as far as tightening its social media policy to restrict elected members’ online commentary about council issues. Accountable?
Mr Bayliss needs to provide better leadership after his two predecessors resigned in controversial circumstances, ensure transparency and manage assets on behalf of the community.
As for investigations which are ‘underway’ regarding disclosure of confidential information and anonymous online profiles, Mr Bayliss’s witch hunt for which he provides no justification or evidence, will cost ratepayers and only cement the shire’s reputation as dysfunctional.