Investigation called
Naracoorte based regional LGA executive officer Adrian Maywald and Wattle Range mayor Des Noll have both resigned from the $1.38 million Limestone Coast Local Government Association (LCLGA).
Mr Noll has also called for an independent review of the organisation, emphasising it must be “independent”.
Funded by ratepayers via the region’s seven councils the association is a wholly owned subsidiary of them.
Mr Noll said the current operating environment of the LCLGA “is the most unstable it has been for many years”.
“As mayor and a board member representing the Wattle Range Council, I have various responsibilities and obligations to my council and community that I will not compromise,” Mr Noll said.
“This organisation now requires an independent review to be conducted of its operations and management.
“I must always – and will always – ensure that I am comfortable with the governance and operation of the organisation.”
Mr Noll said it was important to remember that the LCLGA “is an important collective voice of the seven entities of local government that are able to facilitate positive change for the betterment of the Limestone Coast”.
“After due consideration and advice, I resigned from my board position representing the Wattle Range Council,” he said.
A former police officer of 43 years, Mr Noll once headed up Noorla Yo-Long near Rendelsham.
He was a former vice president of the LCLGA, but in February Tatiara mayor Liz Goossens was elected to the position.
Following a series of “in confidence” meetings during May, Mr Noll resigned on May 15, according to an earlier media statement.
Many of the secret meetings featured the employment of Mr Maywald and subsequent legal advice. According to meeting minutes, Mr Maywald has been excluded from each of the meetings.
Mr Maywald, a former Lucindale Area School principal of 11 years was appointed LCLGA executive officer in November 2023, and took up the position a few weeks later.
This followed his appointment last year as the association’s regional sporting academy co-ordinator for elite athletes while initially on leave from the education department.
Mr Maywald is well known and highly respected for initiating the successful daily school bus service for Naracoorte students to attend Lucindale Area School, and for his passion for sport.
“I have greatly appreciated my time with the Sporting Academy and the Limestone Coast Local Government Association as the executive officer,” Mr Maywald said.
“The work on improving roads, health, sports, tourism and the regional growth plans has been amazing and highly worthwhile.
“Working with the seven councils, Primary Industries SA (PIRSA) and Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast (RDALC) and industry has been fun and rewarding for the most part.
“The recent actions by one member council are concerning and were addressed in a meeting with the board that the one council chose not to partake in.
“Given I could not successfully work with one of the seven councils, with the actions they chose I believed it was best to allow someone else the opportunity (to) ensure the Limestone Coast continues to achieve many successes as a collective.
“We are privileged to have such amazing resources and opportunities in the South East/Limestone Coast and I encourage everyone to continue to contribute positively so we can ensure it is a great place now and into the future.
LCLGA president Lynette Martin acknowledged and confirmed the resignations of both Mr Noll and Mr Maywald.
Regarding Mr Noll, Ms Martin said Wattle Range remains a member of the association “and I have written to Wattle Range to seek an alternative nomination to the board”.
It is understood Wattle Range has opted not to provide a replacement for Mr Noll, even though it remains bound to pay its annual contribution of more than $191,000.
“The matters mayor Noll has raised have and will be given due consideration by the board,” Ms Martin said.
But Ms Martin said she could not comment further regarding the resignation of Mr Maywald.
“It is all being dealt with in confidence,” she said.
Ms Martin also thanked Mr Maywald for his service and wished him every success in his future endeavours.
According to a 2024-25 profit and loss statement in the association’s April agenda, next year it anticipated a $68,092 loss, despite increased contributions of just under 4.8 percent per council.
In addition to council contributions, the association was expecting around $300,000 in government grants, $60,000 less than last year, as well as less interest for its savings.
A wages bill of $562,386 is the association’s main expense, with additional employment costs of almost $100,000 for superannuation, workers compensation, fringe benefits tax and wage accruals.
A further $106,000 cost next financial year is allocated for the Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast and $84,000 for heritage costs.
The increased council contributions listed for next year include:-
- Naracoorte Lucindale – $129,504
- Wattle Range – $191,873
- Tatiara – $109,867
- Robe – $60,866
- Kingston $58,545
- Grant – $112,556
- Mount Gambier $252,678
After meeting in the Tatiara on June 7 for several confidential discussions, the association will be hosted by Grant council for its August 9 meeting.
But more “confidential” meetings in the weeks ahead are likely.
This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.
