Dispute Resolution and Code of Conduct Complaints

Dispute Resolution

Dispute Resolution is the first step in bringing a complaint about a councillors’ behaviour.

Any person may lodge a dispute under the Dispute Resolution Policy which provides a clear and fair framework for raising and resolving disputes with councillors that relate to an alleged breach of the Code of Conduct, or any of Council’s Behaviour Policies. 

The Dispute Resolution Policy sets out the steps for lodging a dispute, the required fee, and the process that will be undertaken. For 2025-26 the fee is $47.75.

Anyone intending to lodge a code of conduct complaint is expected to utilise the Dispute Resolution process first, as outlined in the policy and the code of conduct legislative framework.  

Dispute Resolution Forms are to be lodged with the General Manager within two months of the alleged behaviour. Please refer to the below Dispute Resolution Policy for full details. 

• Dispute Resolution Policy(PDF, 131KB)
• Dispute Resolution Form(PDF, 138KB)

Code of Conduct

Any person may make a Code of Conduct Complaint within 6 months of the alleged contravention.  A complaint must be lodged with a Statutory Declaration verifying the accuracy of the information, together with the prescribed fee.  For 2025-26 this is $95.50. If a complaint results in being upheld by the Panel, the fee will be refunded to the Complainant at the end of the process.

The below Information Sheet titled ‘Information for Complainants’ sets out who can make a complaint, what information is needed, how to lodge a complaint, the fee for making a complaint, and the process for how a complaint will be assessed, investigated and determined. 

• The Statewide Councillor’s Code of Conduct
• Code of Conduct - Information for Complainants
• Code of Conduct - Complaint Form(DOCX, 31KB)
• Councillor Behaviour Policies

   

For further information:

Making a Code of Conduct  Complaint (access Statutory Declaration here also)