NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig is considering suspending the Mayor and councillors of Moree Plains Shire Council for three months. The proposed move follows concerns about meeting conduct, repeated police involvement and strained relationships between councillors. No suspension has been ordered. The council and individual councillors have until Friday 6 November to respond. Mayor Susannah Pearse says the council will consider its response at an extraordinary meeting on Monday 2 November. An interim administrator would be paid by the council, and the cost has not yet been established.
NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has threatened to suspend all of Moree Plains Shire Council for three months and appoint an interim administrator. The Minister's letter cites conduct at council meetings, repeated police involvement and strained relations between councillors. Mayor Susannah Pearse said the council would respond by 6 November and that an extraordinary meeting will be held on 2 November. The council is expected to argue strongly against suspension. Neither the Minister's office nor the Office of Local Government has explained why they did not act earlier to keep councillors and staff safe.
The New South Wales Minister for Local Government is considering suspending the elected governing body of Moree Plains Shire Council for three months. An interim administrator would take over the council's governing responsibilities during that time. A spokesperson for the Office of Local Government said no final decision has been made. The council and its councillors have until close of business on Friday 6 November 2026 to respond, and the Minister will consider any submissions received. The proposal followed reports that the council had been issued a show-cause notice.
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John Rayner PSM has started work as Interim Administrator of Clarence Valley Council, replacing the councillors for three months. NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig suspended the council after councillors requested an inquiry into governance, administration, operations and financial management. The crisis followed a mayoral ballot tie in September and the termination of General Manager Laura Black's contract. Mr Rayner, who grew up in Coraki and began his career in Grafton, will report to the Minister in December. His priorities include appointing a new General Manager and reviewing governance.
New South Wales Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has suspended Clarence Valley Council for three months. He appointed John Rayner, an experienced local government executive, as interim administrator to run the council during the suspension. Hoenig said the appointment was needed to restore the proper functioning of the council. The council had asked the Office of Local Government for an external investigation into ongoing problems with its operations, administration and financial management. The suspension follows the sacking of general manager Laura Black after a mayoral ballot was mishandled last month.
NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has suspended Clarence Valley Council for three months and appointed John Rayner as interim administrator. The decision follows a botched mayoral declaration, after a tied vote was settled by a hat draw and the wrong candidate was named winner. The error led to the sacking of general manager Laura Black. Mr Hoenig said the council had voted for an external investigation into governance, administration, operations and financial management. Councillor Peter Johnstone, who resigned as mayor when the error came to light, criticised the move as a serious step that removes democratic representation.
NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has suspended Clarence Valley Council for three months. He announced the decision on Thursday 15 October in a statement that also named John Rayner as interim administrator. Hoenig said he believed the appointment was needed to restore the proper and effective functioning of the council. He said the council had unanimously resolved to seek an external investigation into matters including governance, financial management, procurement, workplace culture and possible maladministration. Rayner, an experienced local government executive, will exercise the functions of the governing body during the suspension period.
NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has suspended Clarence Valley Council for three months. He has appointed John Rayner PSM as interim administrator to take over the council's functions. The decision follows the council's unanimous request for an external investigation into concerns about its governance, administration and financial management. Hoenig said he reasonably believed the appointment was necessary to restore the council's proper functioning. The suspension follows weeks of leadership turmoil, including the termination of former general manager Laura Black's contract in September.
