Are you concerned about the future financial direction of the Victor Harbor Council. This is your opportunity to have your say and ask questions of Council in a public forum about your concerns moving forward.

Too Big To Stop?

The Sport and Recreation Precinct development is becoming a major infrastructure project that has more questions to answer than answers. With 9 contract extensions, millions already spent on preconstruction development, and 3 years of delays, it’s time for the VHC to show true leadership and have open transparent consultation with all rate payers of Victor Harbor.

The proposed Sports and Recreation Centre raises serious concerns about its viability and cost to the Victor Harbor rate payers. The Council should be providing detailed information about the project for public scrutiny, as part of its obligation for accountable and transparent governance.

In our last newsletter, No 65, Carlos Quaremba’s Maiden Speech in Parliament, which was in script form only, you can now see the video footage by clicking the link below.

Happy watching, Council Watch.

Weblink – Hon. Carlos Quaremba MLC – First Speech on 21 May 2026

Hon. Carlos Quaremba MLC – First Speech on 21 May 2026

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.

Welcome to our Newsletter,
Council Watch Fleurieu Inc. has released a Special Investigation Newsletter examining the recent deputation by Carlos Quaremba to the City of Victor Harbor Council on 27 April 2026.

This edition focuses on the broader implications of Mr Quaremba’s address, particularly his outlined direction for proposed reforms to local government in South Australia. These include measures aimed at strengthening accountability of elected members, reviewing governance practices, and addressing structural inefficiencies within council administration.

The newsletter places these developments in context, highlighting how Victor Harbor has been positioned within the wider reform discussion and why the issues raised may have statewide significance.

This is an opportunity to share a clear, structured analysis of emerging policy directions that could affect councils, ratepayers, and community governance moving forward.

We encourage you to circulate the newsletter to your networks for awareness and informed discussion.

The time for change is now.

Terry Andrews

Chair – Council Watch Fleurieu Inc.

Council Watch Fleurieu Inc.
Email: councilwatch44@gmail.com
Web: https://councilwatchvictorharbor.com/

“Accountability with Integrity”

This correspondence is provided in good faith as part of Council Watch’s public interest oversight activities.

Dear Members,

Please find attached the latest Council Watch Fleurieu Inc. Newsletter — April 2026.

This edition provides a detailed examination of the recent City of Victor Harbor Council decision regarding the stamp duty exemption motion, the subsequent attempt to reverse that decision, and the broader governance, legal, and community implications arising from those events.

Overview
In this newsletter, Council Watch outlines:

The sequence of events surrounding the February motion and March reconsideration

Key governance concerns, including process, advice, and decision-making standards

Questions regarding the use of “revocation” versus proper legislative mechanisms

The impact of the decision on community confidence and public perception

Analysis of the policy itself and its practical implications for Victor Harbor residents

Observations on leadership, accountability, and the roles played within the chamber

The newsletter also includes links to the full, unedited video recordings of both council meetings, allowing members to independently review the proceedings and form their own conclusions.

Council Watch remains committed to providing factual, transparent and considered oversight in the public interest.

We encourage all members to read the newsletter in full and share it with others in the community.

Should you have any feedback or wish to become more involved, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,
Terry Andrews
Chair — Council Watch Fleurieu Inc.

Email: councilwatch44@gmail.com
Web: https://councilwatchvictorharbor.com/

“Accountability with Integrity”
The time for change is now!