The City of South Perth's local government monitor will remain in place for an additional 49 days, as work to address dysfunction at the council continues. Gail McGowan, appointed as monitor in February by Local Government Inspector Tony Brown, was originally scheduled to finish on April 29 but will now stay until June 17.
Ms McGowan, who is also Murdoch University Chancellor, is paid $900 per day by ratepayers for her role, which includes attending council and committee meetings, reviewing documents, and assessing governance practices. She works two days a week, meaning the extension will cost an extra $12,600.
The appointment followed allegations of dysfunction at the city, with Ms McGowan also tasked with monitoring relationships between council members and between the council and staff. A notable incident occurred at a February 24 meeting that lasted five-and-a-half hours, later reconvened on March 4 for another three hours, including a one-hour debate over whether Mayor Greg Milner should maintain his own diary.
CEO Liz Ledger left the role after just three months, citing serious concerns and plans for an external psychosocial review. Mayor Milner moved an urgent motion to block the review, which the council supported. Ms Ledger remains on personal leave, with director of infrastructure services Anita Amprimo serving as acting CEO. Ms Amprimo has stated she will proceed with the risk assessment regardless of council opposition.
