Administrators Cancelled the Shared Services Program back in May 2020 and give up the anticipated savings of $2-3 Million-but staff jobs are safe.
Explosive documents released under Freedom of Information show that during March-May 2019 a letter was written by the Leongatha Business Chamber Group, addressed to the Minister for Local Government, and sent from the Office of the Shire CEO.
A follow up question from Mr Clifford Hayes, MP in the upper house at State Parliament representing Southern Metropoliton Electorate regarding what Ex-Minister Somyurek said to Council in his April 2nd 2019 “show cause” notice.
Only one person asked questions at the August 2020 Council Meeting. Penny Hamlet asked about the closure of the Franklin River Camping area.
Two employment opportunities are presented at South Gippsland Shire Council. Both are described as newly created positions but a look at the organisational chart suggests that the directors roles have merely been renamed with the same department structure as earlier times.
All Council’s staff at Director/CEO level and the three Administrators all reside outside the Shire yet both job descriptions justifiably promote the positives of living the country lifestyle within easy reach of the city.
Mr Hayes, independent member of Parliament, in the upper house asked the now disgraced Ex-Minister for Local Government Adem Somyurek on March 17th, 2020 the following question which was tabled in Parliament. In relation to the dismissal of the South Gippsland Shire Council:
The awards recognise people in South Gippsland who dedicate their time, skills and energy for the benefit of their local community. There will only be two categories in the 2021 awards – Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year.
At the 22 April 2020 Council Meeting, Council endorsed the COVID-19 Community Support Package (CSP) of up to $2M to support the South Gippsland Community and Businesses to remain Healthy, Connected and Innovative.