Amongst the pre-dawn boot-campers, dog-walkers and dogs in active-wear, and in the queues outside coffee-houses, the most common question I have received over the last few weeks has been “what exactly is going on with Ku-ring-gai Council now?” Somewhere between some shenanigans and skulduggery is the short answer.

Those with a full working week, small children and a big mortgage don’t often turn their mind to local government. They might lodge a call when their bin is unemptied, or a painful neighbour persists in some wrongdoing, but few watch video links to council meetings and forums, and fewer still head up to the Gordon chambers in person. Thankfully there are the community-minded and politically-engaged who keep a watch so you don’t have to!

Recently the security officer on duty has had to set out many more seats than usual. Mayor Jeff Pettett’s two-year term was to expire, and this prompted those councillors who are Liberal-party members to caucus and back in a new leader. Taking on the task of removing longstanding general manager John McKee was apparently part of the brief. While not an obvious choice, Roseville ward councillor Sam Ngai was their pick for mayoral nominee, and Cr Christine Kay a package deal as the deputy.

Not a lot of good faith was evident amongst the manoeuvring, phone messaging and back-slapping across the floor in recent meetings. Presumably the behind closed doors sessions are next level on the scales of rancour. Cr Cedric Spencer appeared to play the Machiavellian figure, sending a rather lame last-minute apology to the first sitting of the recent extraordinary general meeting, and later flipping his final vote on John McKee’s tenure. An EGM walk-out by (now former) mayor Jeff Pettett and like-minded councillors, all seeking to rescind the original general manager contractual termination, could not hold back the tide.

Neither could a regalia (my collective noun) of former mayors and other community leaders. Their staunch defence was in part motivated by the general manager’s connection with their own legacy.

The first two hours of the EGM had been consumed with speakers for and against off-leash dogs on community sports fields, and trod through a wide range of dog faeces euphemisms. The shouty speeches and finger-pointing continued as local identities then stood in the general manager’s defence. The marks given, and processes followed, in assessing the general manager’s performance was a constant cause of concern for councillors speaking across the floor in his defence. They also noted that the important and lamented decisions of council also belong to the elected councillors.

Adding to the affirmative were one or two speaking about council’s strategy and mis-steps over the last decade. They observed that, in the corporate world at least, 17 years is a long tenure, and perhaps it was indeed time for a change. Stewarding us though no high-rise, staving off other developments (sometimes without success but with great cost), and no amalgamation with Hornsby Council were presented as his achievements. A shortlist of what you did not do is not necessarily a strong legacy.

Council’s detractors have also included Wahroonga MP Alister Henskens, now the NSW Shadow Attorney General. He left no-one unsure of his opinion in his November 2021 speech in NSW Parliament. He reportedly sent congratulatory messages to councillors following the general manager decision, but denies having prior knowledge of the decision.

Mr Ngai came onto Council in 2017, and has a reputation for being closely-engaged with residents and displays a strong work-ethic. He too is a political tactician. He will need all of this as he juggles taking leave from his day job, volunteer work, his studies, plus a young family.

Despite an expenditure review being top of the to-do list, this general manager changeover is unlikely to be quick, smooth, or cheap. It will likely cost $500,000 of rate-payer funds.

There is a bit of work to do between now and the September 2024 local government elections.

Greg Cook is a member of the Liberal Party of Australia and was a candidate for Gordon Ward in the 2021 Ku-ring-gai Council elections.