A KINGSTON councillor has proposed giving the CEO expanded powers to strike down notices of motion before they are debated in the council chamber.
Cr Chris Hill submitted the proposal for inclusion on the agenda of Kingston Council’s 23 February meeting. He has requested a report assessing “options to strengthen and clarify the Chief Executive Officer’s powers to reject or require amendment of notices of motion that do not align with the principles and objectives of the Governance Rules; are inconsistent with the Local Government Act 2020 or other relevant legislation; are inconsistent with the Model Councillor Code of Conduct; pose unreasonable legal, reputational, governance workplace health and safety risks; or risk council acting beyond its power or in a manner that may bring council into disrepute.”
Cr Hill is asking for an expedited review of the Governance Rules, with a report on potential amendments due back next month. His rationale read that at council’s 2 February meeting “four notices of motion were accepted for inclusion on the public agenda, following consideration by the Chief Executive Officer under the current governance rules. Council further notes that their inclusion on the public agenda has highlighted potential limitations in the rules as they presently operate.
“In particular, council acknowledges that the inclusion of those notices of motion: exposed council to heightened legal, governance, reputational and workplace risks; created foreseeable risks to the health, safety and wellbeing of staff and councillors; resulted in significant negative national media coverage; and has caused reputational damage to the organisation, bringing council into disrepute.”
Two unsuccessful notices of motion moved by Cr Caroline White at council’s 2 February received national media attention. Sky News covered her proposal to rescind a Kingston Council grant awarded to the Druze Community Charity of Victoria, and The Australian wrote about her push for a review into the Dingley Village Kingswood golf course redevelopment. Both motions lapsed without a seconder, and Cr White subsequently took leave from council (“Councillor takes leave after golf course debacle” The News 11/2/2026).
Kingston Council is currently being overseen by two state government-appointed monitors.
The vote on the proposed review of the Governance Rules took place shortly after publication deadline.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 25 February 2026