LOCAL GOVERNMENT MONITOR APPOINTED TO SHIRE IN DENIAL
By Carmelo Amalfi
EXCLUSIVE: WA’S Local Government Inspector has appointed a monitor to Gingin shire following months of media scrutiny over dodgy council minutes, lack of disclosure and allegations of sexual misconduct.
Former Melville CEO Shayne Silcox is the seventh government watchdog to be appointed to a local government in WA, the longest appointment of any monitor to date.
Government Inspector Tony Brown has told media he has been watching the wheatbelt council closely: “It’s clear that intervention is required.”
The appointment comes three weeks after StreetWise reported exclusively that CEO Scott Wildgoose resigned following a secret report which found he was involved in sexual misconduct at work (http://www.streetwisemedia.com.au/workplace-incident-swept-under-carpet/).
The shire today welcomed the appointment of Dr Silcox, who resigned from Melville following a state government probe into the council in 2018: “The shire looks forward to working collaboratively with him (Mr Silcox) throughout his appointment.”
Mr Silcox will observe and provide advice on the shire’s governance arrangements and decision-making practices. This includes the roles and responsibilities of council members and administration, governance, compliance and working relationships across the organisation.
Shire president Linda Balcombe said a monitor provides an opportunity to, “reinforce good governance and support council in delivering the best possible outcomes for our community”. She added good governance is fundamental to maintaining community confidence in local government.
What Cr Balcombe failed to disclose is that she was one of several councillors who opposed motions by Cr Lincoln Stewart in April and May to have a monitor appointed to Gingin.
In his April 21 motion, Cr Stewart called on the CEO to request the Minister for Local Government urgently appoint a monitor for a minimum of two days a week for up to three months at a cost of about $1000 a day: “Given the seriousness, scale, and ongoing nature of these issues, the appointment of a Local Government Monitor is necessary to provide independent oversight, ensure compliance with statutory obligations, support improved governance practices, and restore confidence for elected members, staff, and the community.”
Cr Stewart moved the motion due to serious ongoing governance concerns including allegations of systemic workplace bullying, harassment and significant psychosocial risks affecting both elected members and staff.
Other concerns covered by StreetWise since January include the suspension and resignation of CEO Scott Wildgoose in May (http://www.streetwisemedia.com.au/workplace-incident-swept-under-carpet/); elected members’ financial conflicts of interest involving Bendigo Bank (http://www.streetwisemedia.com.au/our-bank-our-thing-in-gingin/); numerous breaches against councillors (http://www.streetwisemedia.com.au/gingin-breaches-undermine-local-governance/); Christmas parties on topless nights (http://www.streetwisemedia.com.au/shire-celebrates-2025-on-topless-night/); and a court of disputed returns challenge over Gingin’s elections in October last year (http://www.streetwisemedia.com.au/multiple-2025-election-results-under-scrutiny/).
The motion was defeated. In his May 19 motion, Cr Stewart again moved: “Council has experienced ongoing dysfunction, governance concerns, operational conflict, and breakdowns in working relationships affecting the effective functioning of the LG and confidence in decision making processes.”
Cr Robert Kestel did not support Cr Stewart’s motion nor did Crs Balcombe, Peczka, Craig Hyne, Andrea Vis and Nikki Woods: “As a council we are nowhere near dysfunctional. We might have dysfunctional councillors, but as a council we are certainly not dysfunctional. I don’t think it’s the right environment to have a monitor.”
Acting CEO James Bayliss agreed: “There is no clear nexus between the motion and reasoning made by Cr Stewart and established facts, evidence or findings. The acting CEO is not aware of any evidence of systemic workplace bullying, harassment, discrimination or significant psychosocial risks. Such claims should be substantiated with evidence and/or findings.”
Cr Stewart told StreetWise that Mr Bayliss received his workplace bullying claim: “My motion to appoint a monitor in April specifically listed investigating the Bendigo Bank and its conflict of interests with former and sitting councillors including Mr Bayliss’s father-in-law and former shire president Wayne Fewster.” Mr Bayliss at no stage disclosed his interest.
Mr Bayliss said there was ‘considerable reputational risk’ with agreeing to having a monitor oversee shire operations: “The appointment of a monitor may give rise to adverse public and media perception that the local government is experiencing governance dysfunction.”
He added: “The Shire of Gingin has historically functioned effectively as a local government. The appointment of a monitor, or any request for the appointment of a monitor, is a significant matter and should not be approached lightly, noting the potential reputational and financial implications for a proud organisation.”
Dr Silcox’s appointment starts on August 3, 2026 and ends on February 3, 2027. Mr Brown has informed the shire that he reserved the right to extend the monitor’s time after six months.
Additional reports at www.streetwisemedia.com.au.
