Dorset Council is on the brink of a complete overhaul after three more councillors resigned in the wake of an inquiry that uncovered “significant failings” in governance, conduct and decision-making.
Anna Coxen, Beth Donoghue and Leonie Stein are the latest to step down, following the earlier departures of Mayor Greg Howard and councillors Jerrod Nichols and Dale Jessup.
That leaves just three of the nine originally elected members, Mervyn Chilcott, Edwina Powell and Kahlia Simmons, still standing.
The council had been suspended for about a year and a half while a board of inquiry, requested by the state government, investigated the issues.
It was only recently reinstated, with Local Government Minister Kerry Vincent making it clear that councillors had the choice to stay or go.
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission is currently running multiple recounts to fill the empty seats.
Candidates who were unsuccessful in the 2022 election have been invited to participate in the recounts.
Hopeful councillors must submit their expressions of interest by February 11 for the first round and by February 20 for the second round.
