THE South Gippsland Shire Council got a reputation for all the wrong reasons in the lead up to its sacking in June 2019 and when elections were called again in 2021, Leongatha resident and community leader John Schelling was determined to see that reputation restored.
He received 30 per cent of the first preference votes, in a field of 10 candidates, and easily achieved the quota needed to be elected.
Having served as a local councillor for three years now, representing the Tarwin Valley ward from Nerrena and Leongatha in the south to Hallston and Mirboo North in the north, he’s seeking reelection to continue the work.
“I originally stood because the community wanted to see a return to stability on the council and a council that was more responsive to community needs. I think we’re getting there but there’s still more to do,” Mr Schelling said this week.
“We felt that if there was unity on the council that we would be better able to work more effectively and cooperatively with the staff to achieve the best outcome for everyone.
“With a rate cap in place, it’s always going to have an impact on what we can do, and we needed to find other ways to deliver the works and services that people wanted to see.
“But there has been a big focus on a return to stability and I think people have appreciated that.”
Personally, Mr Schelling said he had an ongoing interest in the protection of agricultural land and on the infrastructure needs of smaller communities, on roads, services for families and also on developing and maintaining sporting facilities across the shire.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with people and community groups, sharing their concerns and the successes we’ve been able to achieve together.”
While John has lived in Leongatha for many years, and raised his family there, he’s had a strong connection with the farming families and the communities that make up the Tarwin Valley district.
“In particular, I’ve always been in awe of how strong the Mirboo North community is and what they have been able to achieve themselves, and also their ability to access grants and other support.
“I think we saw that at it’s best in responding to the storm event in February. Community involvement and the level of volunteer support there is second to none.
“They rolled up their sleeves and got on with the job and I think that’s what the community wants to see from its local council as well.”
Background
A Commission of Inquiry in May 2019, chaired by former Justice Frank Vincent, found that “there has been a high level of tension, discord and conflict between the councillors elected (to the South Gippsland Shire Council) in 2016. This conflict has had a detrimental impact on decision-making by councillors. This is both in relation to long term strategic decisions critical to the sustainability of the Council as well as decisions on potentially controversial issues. The resignations of four councillors for reasons associated with the conflict and their replacement by new councillors, along with replacement of another councillor who resigned for different reasons, means the Council as presently constituted does not reflect a high level of community support when considering votes cast in the 2016 election. While of itself this would not justify intervention, it does weaken the current Council’s legitimacy as a truly representative body. In our view— that is the commissioners’ view— it can legitimately be taken into account against the background of ongoing conflict and disharmony on the Council that is inextricably linked to four of those resignations. It is our view that the underlying tensions between councillors and poor decision-making process are continuing.”
Ultimately it led to the dismissal of the council on June 21, 2019.
New elections were held in October 2021.
