Administrators to run Brimbank council

Administrators have been appointed to restore order at Melbourne's troubled Brimbank
council.

The Victorian government announced the appointment of three administrators on
Tuesday, two months after it sacked the western suburbs council for misconduct.
Administrators Peter Lewinsky, Joanne Anderson and Meredith Sussex will form the new
council on Wednesday and remain until 2012.
Local Government Minister Richard Wynne said the administrators would perform normal
council functions, including holding statutory meetings and making decisions on
matters tabled.
"The panel of three administrators, which will be chaired by Mr Lewinsky, brings the
necessary experience and skills to tackle the extensive reform and rebuilding tasks
at Brimbank," Mr Wynne said.
Mr Lewinsky, who has previously worked as an administrator for the Cheltenham and
Regional Cemeteries Trust and the Fawkner Crematorium and Memorial Park, will assume
the role of mayor.
"This community has experienced a prolonged period of frustration and instability as
a result of the council's inability to govern in its best interests," Mr Lewinsky
said.
"Together with Ms Sussex and Ms Anderson, I'll be setting an appropriately high
expectation of local governance for the residents and ratepayers of Brimbank - and I
intend to meet and exceed those expectations."
Legislation to formalise the sacking of Brimbank council was passed in state
parliament last week.
The government took the drastic action after a damning ombudsman's report in May
found misconduct and political interference at the council were rife.
Local government inspector Bill Scales was appointed to oversee the council but
reported no improvement.