The Victorian Minister for Local Government, Nick Staikos, has today announced that two municipal monitors will be appointed to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
Municipal monitors Prue Digby and Rebecca McKenzie will be in place for 12 months from 19 January 2026 until 18 January 2027.
A press release from the state government said “They will advise, assist, and support the council to improve its governance processes and practices. They will also work with the council to support good governance including in relation to service delivery, the health and wellbeing of councillors and staff, and council meeting procedures and decision making”.
Municipal monitors are appointed by the Minister under the Local Government Act s 179, and the cost of the monitors is the responsibility of the shire. Municipal monitors do not replace councillors, the Chief Executive Officer or council staff, but provide independent oversight and report back to the Minister on council governance matters.
The appointment comes after a tumultuous 12 months for the shire council that has seen an organisational restructure, appointment of a new CEO and the aftermath of the McCrae landslip, including a state-appointed board of inquiry. The term has been marked by considerable divisions in the councillor group, with the resulting governance concerns believed to be the catalyst for the appointment.
Last week The News reported that shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh had been cleared of any wrongdoing after an arbiter dismissed a councillor conduct complaint application over Marsh’s decision to rule three motions out of order at council meetings in June (Arbiter clears mayor as conduct complaint dismissed, The News 16/12/25)
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has announced it will cooperate fully with the monitors with their focus remaining on “firmly on delivering projects, services and outcomes for our community”.
Mornington Peninsula Shire’s acting CEO, Davey Smith, told The News “We welcome the experience Prue Digby and Rebecca McKenzie bring to the role. The organisation will continue to operate in line with its statutory responsibilities, and we will support the monitors as they observe council’s governance arrangements”.
Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said “This appointment provides an opportunity to reinforce strong governance, ensure clarity around councillor roles and responsibilities, and support the standards of behaviour the community rightly expects from elected representatives”.
In announcing the appointment of the monitors, Nick Staikos said “Victorians expect their councils to maintain a high standard of processes and practices, and these monitors will help the council best serve the Mornington Peninsula Shire community.”
“Ms Digby and Ms McKenzie have extensive experience working with local government, and I’m confident they will provide good governance and support for council’s decision-making procedures.”