Hello Everyone,
One of the most important decisions affecting the future direction of the City of Victor Harbor is now unfolding and many residents may not yet realise just how close the Council is to locking in a new Chief Executive Officer immediately before the 2026 local government elections.
Council Watch has now formally raised serious governance, transparency, and democratic accountability concerns regarding the rapidly progressing CEO recruitment process. This important because the person appointed as CEO will help shape council culture, financial management, governance standards, transparency, and the future direction of Victor Harbor for years to come.
Yet despite the significance of the decision, major questions are now emerging regarding the following –
- the speed of the process;
- the concentration of influence within a small selection group;
- the lack of clearly identifiable public Council discussion;
- and whether the incoming Council will be unfairly restricted from having meaningful input into the final appointment.
Council Watch believes this issue now goes far beyond personalities and is about protecting democratic process, public confidence, and fair governance.
The attached special newsletter examines –
- who sits on the CEO Selection Panel;
- why concerns are being raised regarding independence;
- comparisons with the 2017 recruitment process;
- and why Council Watch believes the process should slow down and return “Back to Base Zero” before the community loses further confidence.
This may become one of the defining governance issues leading into the 2026 council elections.
Please take the time to read and share this important community briefing.
Yours sincerely,
Terry Andrews (Chairman)
Council Watch Fleurieu Inc.
Council Watch Victor Harbor 