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    Di Bell.

Di Bell vows to work beside community post council

By Jessica Grimble 

A Horsham woman has vowed to continue advocating for, and working with, the community after resigning from local government. 

Di Bell stepped down from her role as Horsham Rural City councillor on Friday, effective immediately, citing safety and culture concerns, and impacts to her physical and mental health, as drivers behind her decision. 

She was elected to the seven-member council in 2020 – one of six first-time councillors.



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Horsham councillors, at their June meeting, voted to write to the local government inspectorate requesting it investigate whether Mrs Bell had failed to disclose a conflict of interest in business considered during a confidential section of the council’s May meeting. The motion alleged her conduct amounted to a misuse of position, contrary to the Local Government Act 2020. 

Mrs Bell said she was unaware of the motion prior to the meeting. 

She said the ‘soul-destroying manner’ in which the motion was raised was, ultimately, the deciding factor behind her resignation after a long period of unresolved conflict. 

She rejects the allegations. 

“It was time. I couldn’t see a way through it,” she said of her resignation.

Mrs Bell said the council environment was ‘no longer a safe workplace’. 

“We were seven very different people. Because we all came from different backgrounds and walks of life, I thought we had a good show of being able to have respectful discussions – because we represented so many different areas and demographics of the community,” she said. 

“I felt that when comments were made or questions were asked, some would take it as attacking the person, not the subject matter. 

“I had an aim to build a bridge between the council and the community. 

“For us as a municipality, we have to be working together – and the fact we haven’t been able to do that... I won’t regard it as a failure because it takes more than one person to build bridges, but it is disappointing.” 

Mrs Bell has made repeated allegations of dysfunction within the council and had publicly called for help – including, she says, from the Local Government Minister. 

She said councillors, state-wide, needed an organisation or individual they could access for assistance, advice or support. The State Government appointed a municipal monitor to the council last month to observe governance processes and report on issues, provide advice to the council and make recommendations to the government for further action. 

Education key

Mrs Bell said listening and communicating was the council’s ‘biggest challenge’. 

She said opportunities such as educating the community about the council’s role, including the difference between responsibilities of elected officials and operations; and working with organisations to understand ‘subjective’ solutions for challenges and opportunities remained. 

She said involving the community in strategic planning and decision-making was critical to the future prosperity of the municipality. 

Mrs Bell said she would continue working for the community. 

“But I will work beside them and among them,” she said.

“The community is my passion and once I’ve regrouped, I’ll be back working amongst them again.” 

Mrs Bell thanked members of the community for their ‘continual support’ throughout her term. 

“It has meant a lot to me, the extra support and kindness and regular messages I’ve had, consistently, since June 27,” she said. 

Mrs Bell said while the experience did not meet her expectations, she loved to learn and the skills she gained during her term would contribute positively to future endeavours. 

The entire August 10, 2022 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!