Reports suggest there is turmoil at the Local Government Association of SA.

Onkaparinga mayor Lorraine Rosenberg, president of the Local Government Association, is facing intense criticism, with fellow council leaders alleging there is now a high level of “anger and mistrust” towards the local government sector.

Cr Rosenberg this week lost a no-confidence vote in her performance as mayor and called a special meeting of the LGA “to seek advice from them about the current issues facing [my] role as LGA president”.

Other mayors have spoken out against the leadership of the LGA and the potential damage that Cr Rosenberg is doing to local government in South Australia.

They say the whole sector is being marred by scandals at Onkaparinga.

The council has seen the widespread use of ratepayer-funded corporate credit cards, which is being investigated, and outrage over a $6,800 golf club membership for CEO Mark Dowd (since repaid) and $22,000 in legal fees from an Ombudsman’s inquiry into the matter.

West Torrens Council has passed a resolution calling on Cr Rosenberg to “consider her ongoing tenure as LGA SA president in the context of the ongoing adverse media reports that portray not only her council but also local government in general as being extravagant and wasteful users of rate payer money”.

Tea Tree Gully is pursuing a similar motion next week, as part of what has been described as a groundswell of anger and mistrust towards local government.