Accusations of “cheating and lying” and “abusive social media posts” have pushed the Derwent Valley Council to adopt an unreasonable conduct policy.
Mayor Michelle Dracoulis said it aims to define unreasonable behaviour and reduce the potential harm it may cause council employees and elected representatives.
“Our teams are committed to delivering essential services, from waste management to animal control, all to ensure our municipality thrives,” she said.
“Many of our staff live in the community they serve, with families and deep connections to the area, so abusive behaviour impacts them not only professionally, but also personally.”
She said council staff regularly face challenging encounters, ranging from verbal abuse at waste disposal sites to threats against the animal control officer.
The new policy defines unreasonable behaviour as presenting a risk to health, safety or the council’s ability to provide services.
Managing conduct may include adjusting how staff communicate with the individual, limiting discussion topics or restricting contact methods.
“Measures could include designating a single contact point, restricting contact topics or limiting the timing and means of communication,” Dracoulis said.
“In some cases, interactions may be confined to secure locations or access may be reduced if necessary to maintain safety.”
The mayor said most interactions with the council are positive, but a small minority engage in behaviours like abusing and insulting staff.
“We believe in treating everyone with kindness and respect and we always aim to resolve concerns through understanding and open communication,” she said.
“Formal action is a last resort to maintain a safe, supportive environment for staff and our community.”
