Monitor Appointed To City Of Whittlesea

The Andrews Labor Government has appointed a monitor to examine the governance and operations of City of Whittlesea.

Minister for Local Government Adem Somyurek today appointed Yehudi Blacher, following a request by the Chief Municipal Inspector to install a monitor at the council.

The Monitor will work with the Council to ensure sound and effective governance in light of the instability in senior management over the past three years.

Mr Blacher is the former Secretary of the Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development and former Deputy Secretary in the Departments of Premier and Cabinet and Human Services – as well as serving as an interim administrator for the City of Geelong.

Mr Blacher will help the Council make decisions in the best long-term interests of the City of Whittlesea, while providing the Minister with advice on how Councillors are doing their job.

The Monitor will now be in place until 30 June 2020 and will provide an interim report to the Minister by 27 March 2020.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Local Government Adem Somyurek

“Mr Blacher has extensive experience in public administration, as well as serving as interim administrator for the City of Geelong – and will play an important role at the City of Whittlesea.”

“Mr Blacher will help the Council make decisions in the best long-term interests of local ratepayers.”