THEY don’t play favourites at the Bass Coast Shire Council. No one it seems is allowed to speak.
At this week’s council meeting it was John Duscher, despite 26 years as a councillor, and four as mayor, who was denied the call.
He had asked to address council on the issue of the missing mayoral chains, possibly shedding light on the 29-year-old mystery of ceremonial jewellery formerly worn by the Mayor of the Borough of Wonthaggi.
But, alas, no!
There was to be no ‘suspension of standing orders’ to allow a non-elected person to speak at a council meeting, might have opened Pandora’s Box!
Instead, Mr Duscher was reduced to submitting a written query at Question Time, on the topic of the mayor's chain.
“What plans does the Bass Coast Shire Council have for replacing the mayoral chains of the former Borough of Wonthaggi Council that have gone missing or have been stolen?”
“Through the mayor,” said new CEO Greg Box, “there is currently no budget allocation for the replacement of the mayoral chains however councillors will receive a briefing on this matter.”
But that wasn’t enough for Cr Rochelle Halstead, who as taken quite an interest in the whereabouts of the mayor’s former symbol of office.
“I know that it's not common practice of council, but I’d like to speak to this question if the council will allow me to do so.”
Cr Halstead was given the OK to speak by Mayor Cr Clare Le Serve.
“Madam Mayor, I'm very concerned about this issue. I think, firstly, I'd like to say that I'm of the understanding that Mr Duscher requested to address this council directly with this question and given that he was a former councillor of Bass Coast for 26 years, four of which were as a mayor of this shire, I find, you know, beyond belief actually and incredibly disrespectful that he was not allowed to address Council.
“However, it's a decision that's been made.
“However, I do think that things need to be raised. The chains of office are an important part of the city's history and as custodians of this historically and financially significant property, Council should be taking action.
“Mr Duscher has advised he has for several years made inquiries with no progress. A letter from Mr Duscher was addressed to the mayor and councillors in March 2022, a letter that I personally, as a councillor never saw.
“And I'd like to know why and how often letters are addressed to both the mayor and councillors, and not provided to councillors for their information or input.”
The criticism was a veiled swipe at the former mayor Cr Michael Whelan who was in the chair at the time, and also the former CEO Ali Wastie, known for running a tight ship where public correspondence was concerned.
“I personally have made inquiries about the robes and chains only to be waived off and laughed at, as if it was no big deal.
“So much time now has passed that insurance is no longer an option for what is estimated to have a value of $50,000 plus.
“There needs to be an investigation with a full report including any options to address this loss and report it to Council at the earliest possible available time.
“I didn't like to have to be putting forward these words, but I feel they need to be said and we can no longer sweep this issue under the carpet. We as a council need to address it, thank you Madam Mayor.”
