Another NSW local government is facing suspension. 

After the dramatic shutdown of Central Coast Council late last year, Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock has issued Wingecarribee Shire Council with a notice of intention to suspend it for three months and appoint an interim administrator.

The move follows serious concerns about the council’s ability to function properly and effectively amid a worsening and ongoing breakdown of relationships between councillors and senior staff.

Mediation and training provided to the mayor and councillors and appointment of a temporary adviser under a Performance Improvement Order has not had the desired effect of addressing the issues facing the council.

Council now has seven days to explain why it should not be suspended and an independent administrator appointed to identify and address the serious issues impacting its functioning and restore community confidence.

The Minister is required under the Local Government Act to provide the council with the opportunity to make any submission before making a final determination on suspension. By law the Minister must consider any submission before making a final decision.

Suspension would apply to the mayor and councillors. It would not affect council staff and daily operations. The interim administrator would perform the functions of the mayor and councillors.

The action was prompted in part by Wollondilly MP Nathaniel Smith, the member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman, and opposition local government spokesperson Greg Warren called for action.

Wingecarribee Mayor Duncan Gair says he is extremely disappointed, and blamed councillors for undermining the work of the group.

“It's the worst day in the history of Wingecarribee Shire, that is for sure,” Cr Gair told reporters.

“It is something I never thought would happen to me in 26 years of local government, that I would end up being suspended for doing nothing wrong.

“There are going to be a lot of angry councillors who are going to be held responsible for something they didn't do.”

Local community groups have supported the move, saying something had to be done about interminable infighting.