An independent Sydney councillor is quitting after years of traumatic experiences at a lower north shore council that he said pointed to a snowballing problem of toxicity within the entire local government sector.
Hunters Hill councillor Marc Lane handed in his resignation on Wednesday afternoon, two years after he was elected as an independent at the September 2024 local government poll. Lane’s doctor recommended he quit after years of a “hostile” environment at council that affected his home life and relationship with his young son.
“It’s a high-stress job. It’s like being asked to stick your hand in an unprotected machine every day, it’s traumatic,” Lane said. “Being in such a toxic chamber has its effects on your mental health, no one wants to be a punching bag once a month.”
He spoke with other councillors across Sydney, including at Lane Cove and Ku-ring-gai, and found their difficulties enacting change at Liberal or Labor-dominated councils mirrored his. He said this experience of feeling powerless and silenced pointed to a pervasive sector-wide problem.
“It’s a command and control culture,” Lane said. “The environment within the chamber is quite hostile … they try to ridicule and quash down the other side rather than engage on the issues or have a policy debate.
“I have heard of poor behaviour in many councils, but this is a particularly closed shop, and what that means is there is almost no engagement with the community.”
Lane, an urban planner, pointed to the divisive Gladesville rezoning proposal, where the council voted for a new plan which includes towers up to 19 storeys, 522 homes and the redevelopment of the ageing Gladesville Shopping Centre.
“If you’re not actually listening to the community … that’s where the system does break down.”
The previously majority independent council now consists of five Liberal councillors and two independents. Lane’s decision will trigger a byelection in the council’s south ward, covering the suburbs of Henley, Huntley’s Cove, and Woolwich, among others.
Liberal councillor Carla Kassab said she was disappointed that Lane had “let his community down”, and rejected the claim that councillors had acted aggressively towards him.
“It’s usual practice that not everyone will agree on everything. I can appreciate and understand that can be disappointing at times, but I wouldn’t say it’s a hostile environment.”
Kassab also said the council had undertaken extensive community consultation for the Gladesville rezoning proposal, and waved away Lane’s claims that the Liberal councillors voted without considering community feedback.
Hunters Hill general manager Nick Tobin said all council meetings highlighted a “robust and engaged chamber”.
“Council is committed to open governance and have strong community engagement practices in place, over and above what is required of the Local Government Act. All councillors and council staff serve with integrity and represent the entire community as required under the Local Government Act,” Tobin said.
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