New restrictions placed on use of mayoral car

THE Mayor of South Gippsland Shire Council will no longer be entitled to drive outside of shire boundaries unless on council business, in a new amendment made in last week’s meeting. 

The Councillor Support and Expenditure Policy, section 3.22 states that: A Mayoral vehicle can be provided for full Council and private use restricted to within Victoria. The Mayoral vehicle will be insured, maintained and allocated a fuel card by Council.

The policy was adopted in March 2022, alongside the Councillor, Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy. 

It was the mayor herself, Cr Clare Williams, who called for the change, to the disagreement of some Councillors. 

“It was stated that the mayoral vehicle could be used within the whole state of Victoria. I find it completely unnecessary,” said Mayor Williams. 

“Yes you are a mayor wherever you go, but really that’s within our borders, that’s within the South Gippsland boundary. There is no need for you to drive on our ratepayers dollar around Victoria, wherever that may be, and be supported through that by our ratepayers. Completely unnecessary.”

Additional amendments have also been made to allow for incidental items while using the mayoral vehicle with South Gippsland. 

“I believe there’s so many incidentals when you’re driving your car. As it is now, the mayoral car is purely for council use. You cannot stop on your way home to get two litres of milk. No. You have to take the car back. Get in your own car, go back to the supermarket.”

“So, this amendment provides for those little incidentals within the South Gippsland boundary and I just think with the financial state and where we’re at, we’ve all talked about it, so why would we support further money being spent on what I see as leisure.”

Cr Jenni Keerie agreed with Cr Williams, stating that, “Financially our council is in a tight economic position. There are many options for somebody in the role of mayor to be able to use the mayoral vehicle to be able to travel anywhere and it could be as far as Canberra if its on council related business. I think within the shire boundary is perfectly reasonable.”

Cr Schelling, Cr Rae, Cr Darakai, and Cr Felton all disagreed with the amendment believing that there is scope for the mayoral vehicle to be used for reasonable personal use.

Cr Schelling stated that “I believe it passes the private sector pub test for the mayor to be able to travel in Victoria unbounded. I understand what it could lead to going forward, you could have the mayor driving around Victoria on holidays for a month with the shire car, but I don’t see that as being the worst thing on earth.” 

However, Cr Williams reiterated, “This is not private money. This is community money.” 

Cr Keerie, Cr Davies and Cr Gilligan voted to pass the amendment and as Cr Williams had the casting vote, it was carried.