The shock resignation of Councillor Natalee Johnston due to alleged bullying and an erosion of "public trust and transparency" is another worrying sign of a toxic culture at Shoalhave Council, says the union which represents workers in the local government area, the United Services Union (USU).
Councillor Johnston's resignation yesterday sent shockwaves through the community which stretches from Berry and Nowra in the north, through Jervis Bay down to Mollymook and Ulladulla in the south.
Rudi Oppitz, the Acting Southern Manager of the USU, says the union's members at Shoalhaven Council are still in shock.
"USU members are very concerned regarding the resignation of Councillor Johnston, they worry it's a further sign of a toxic culture at Shoalhaven Council," he said.
"Our members have expressed their dismay with the union following the resignation of Ward 3 Clr Natalee Johnston on Monday, particularly noting the reasons for her resignation namely alleged bullying and claims of some Councillors being involved in "block voting" during council meetings.
"These allegations are reflective of the toxic culture that has been raised by our members on an ongoing basis and are in line with concerns the union has raised with SafeWork NSW.
"The Union understands that SafeWork NSW are currently undertaking an investigation into the claims surrounding the poor culture and the alleged bullying and also looking into the recent comments by the Mayor questioning the creditability of highly professional staff within Council.
"Our members are consistently providing feedback that the Council has shifted into an environment of fear and toxic workplace culture under the new regime.
"Staff do not know what their future will hold particularly if the Mayor appoints former Liberal candidate for Gilmore Andrew Constance as the Council CEO/General Manager.
"The Mayor has framed photos of herself and Mr Constance on her desk, and his potential appointment, along with the obvious conflict of interest issues it would raise, could feed into the ongoing toxic environment and the constant anxiety about job cuts that seem to be ever present amongst our members.
"Our members will await the outcome of the CEO appointment process before determining what action to take next.
"Our members have demonstrated their frustration in the past by holding mass meetings where everything is on the table, and given how fired up they are, they will have no hesitation in doing it again.
"Our members serve the communities of Nowra, Berry, Ulladulla and everywhere in between and they take that responsibility very seriously and will do everything in their power to ensure these communities, in which most of them live, have a Council all in the district can be proud of.
