The Western Australian Government has announced it has suspended the Shite of Ashburton for a six month period.

 

State Minister for Local Government, John Castrilli, has appointed a commissioner and ordered thecouncillors to undertake governance training on the responsibilities and functions of a council.

 

Mr Castrilli said the decision was made following the consideration of the shire’s response to a ‘show cause’ notice which highlighted a range of converns regarding the administration of the shire raised in an earlier probity audit conducted by the Department of Local Government.

 

The move to suspend the council was made following the Probity and Compliance Audit Report’s findings that showed systemic failure of the shire to perform a number of its functions. It called into question the council’s ability to govern effectively without first training in the necessary governance requirements.

 

Mr Castrilli said the suspension was effective immediately and Ron Yuryevich had been appointed as commissioner to manage the operations and affairs of the local government while the council remained suspended.

 

“The Ashburton council was invited to respond to concerns outlined in a notice sent to them that included issues identified in the Probity and Compliance Audit Report,” he said.

 

“Having carefully considered the council’s comprehensive response, I have decided that it would be inappropriate for the council to act as the shire’s governing body at this time.