Dungog Council has been thrown into disarray after Five of the Nine councillors walked away from the job on Thursday.
The shock resignations could spell the end of the council, which has long struggled with financial obligations, with the Herald reporting the council has an infrastructure backlog of $40 million dollars.
The outgoing members include Mayor Harold Johnston, General Manager Craig Deasey, and councillors Glen Wall, Stephen Farrow and Neville Bale.
With more than half of the councillors now stepping away, the council is unable to reach a decision on any of its business items.
This latest development comes after the long ordeal over the possible merger between Dungog and Port Stephens Council finally came to a bitter conclusion last month, when the councillors voted against the merger.
The merger may have saved Dungog from this implosion, and would have provided them with much needed financial assistance.
Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnson says this could very well be the end of Dungog Council.
"It's an impractical situation where less than half of the elected council is now in place."
"Council has effectively imploded."
However, Mr Johnson went on to say the situation could be saved if the government stepped in and extended a lifeline to the Council.
"The government needs to step in and appoint an administrator as soon as possible."
 |
| Michael Johnson MP |
