Caroline Hammat
Two weeks after Wattle Range Council (WRC) mayor Des Noll resigned from the Limestone Coast Local Government Association (LCLGA) executive officer Adrian Maywald also handed in his resignation with his final day last Wednesday.
Prior to both resignations, council’s audit and risk committee strongly recommended to council that Mr Maywald be stood down pending an investigation of his performance, as reported in the May 9 committee meeting minutes.
In line with his contract Mr Maywald gave one week’s notice of his resignation after spending six months with the organisation.
“I’ve greatly enjoyed working with the majority of the councils and I wish them all the best,“ he said.
LCLGA president Lynette Martin said Mr Maywald’s resignation was accepted by the board.
“The board of the LCLGA thanks him for his service and wishes him well in his future endeavours,“ she said.
At the May 15 LCLGA special meeting Mr Noll delivered his letter of resignation and left the meeting immediately.
In a statement provided to SA Today Mr Noll said the current LCLGA operating environment was “the most unstable it has been for many years“.
“As mayor, and a board member representing the Wattle Range Council, I have responsibilities and public officer obligations to my council and community that I will not compromise,“ he said.
“My concerns are with the current governance and operation of the organisation.
“I have identified various concerns to the LCLGA Board that need to be investigated independently.”
While Mr Noll has resigned from the board, the council is still a member of the organisation.
“It is important to remember that the Wattle Range Council pay a significant membership subscription to be a member of the LCLGA,“ Mr Noll said.
Ms Martin has since written to council’s chief executive officer Ben Gower inviting WRC to nominate another representative to sit on the board.
At a WRC special meeting held on May 28 the letter was received and noted by the chamber but no decision was made on the representative.
“The matters mayor Noll has raised have, and will be given due consideration by the LCLGA Board,’’ Ms Martin said.
LCLGA fees for Wattle Range Council were more than $180,000 for the 2023/2024 financial year.
