“Moira Shire Council is focused on moving forward, not looking back,” Mr Tanner said.
“There is no reason why this local council cannot be seen as a shining star in regard to local government in Victoria.
“Much has been accomplished over the past 14 months, but the journey continues.”
These are some of Mr Tanner’s departing words as he marks the end of his more than 18-month tenure, during which time he has reshaped the local government administration.
He began his journey in early 2023 as one of two investigators working as part of the Commission of Inquiry into allegations of bad governance and toxic work culture.
Moira Shire Council was dismissed on March 7, 2023 by Local Government Minister Melissa Horne, and Mr Tanner was appointed as interim administrator.
Mr Tanner was focused on a fundamental objective for Moira Shire Council - a return to basics. He emphasised that the path forward was anchored in principles of good governance, transparency, adherence to best practices, and a strong commitment to community engagement.
During his tenure as sole administrator, he dealt with the horrific April 2023 Strathmerton crash that claimed five lives.
The crash marked the beginning of what is arguably Mr Tanner’s biggest legacy to the area, his passionate pursuit of improving road safety.
In mid-2023, he was tasked with heading a panel of administrators, and though the role was cited to end in December 2023, it was extended by a further six months.
At that point, Mr Tanner and his administrators appointed Matthew Morgan as the shire’s chief executive officer.
“Mr Morgan’s appointment was a fundamental step in ensuring long-term stability within the organisation,” Mr Tanner said.
“Stability within local government organisations is crucial for fostering sustainable and prosperous communities.
“It builds trust and confidence among residents, ensuring good governance and best practice procedures are adhered to.”
Mr Tanner also played a vital role in creating a memorandum of understanding between council, the education and health sectors which allows for a more strategic approach to dealing with the needs of the municipality.
“'I’m very satisfied,” he said.
“It's been an interesting role at different stages. I think we have achieved a significant amount, but the work is ongoing.
“Council’s deterioration over last ten years takes time to turn around, and that’s the reason why we are in administration for such a long time.
“It’s come with its challenges, particularly with the acting CEO roles for 11 months, and at the time, we could not appoint externally, so we were removing people from their normal positions and putting them in the acting positions, creating a void.
“Importantly, Mathew Morgan’s appointment is for four years and there is certainty going forward with the panel of administrators until 2028.”
Mr Tanner paints a positive picture for the shire where he envisages “much growth” and more “cross-pollination” of businesses, particularly between Cobram and Yarrawonga. Mr Tanner also sees the growth corridor to expand in the south and west areas of the shire around Numurkah and Nathalia.
“We have businesses that have built their foundations within one town, and then expanded to operate from multiple localities. People travel throughout the shire for work and leisure, creating incredible opportunities and a lasting impact.
“There is some tremendous growth there, and I think there will be three major centres in years to come: Yarrawonga, Cobram and Southern Moira.”
As for the big capital projects, Mr Tanner is “absolutely certain” the Yarrawonga Multisport Stadium will be built along with the already started Yarrawonga Library, Events and Performance Precinct and the $4.5 Numurkah Levee project.
“These are all key projects in progress. Moira Shire Council is committed to these initiatives, and will see them through,” Mr Tanner said.
“Project delivery is now under a revised management structure that applies greater due diligence at all stages.
“It is about enhancing performance and council’s capacity to deliver projects within realistic budgets and timeframes, and that ultimately meet the needs of the community in the longer term.
“Administrators Emonson and Sheed will continue to adopt a strategic approach for the entire shire, with connectivity being of paramount importance.”
Changes to major project management have been a priority, with significant steps taken to ensure streamlined delivery and under a revised management structure, it applies greater due diligence at all stages enhancing council’s capacity to deliver projects within realistic budgets and timeframes.
As for the old Yarrawonga Primary School site, “watch this space, I can only see positive news for this site and the community,” Mr Tanner hinted.
As for highlights, Mr Tanner said there were many but mentioned one that happened just a couple of months into his role.
“Council had a huge amount of job vacancies to fill. We had new staff coming in, and it was really inspiring to see we had thirty new people who had started. They were young, they were enthusiastic, and some of them have gone on and advanced in the organisation in such a short period of time.
“That gives you heart that there is change, and they then complement a number of really good people we have in the organisation that have been there for a long period of time and a lot of those people have done it really tough. They have been bruised, yet they are still there putting in and serving their community.”
In his final council meeting, on Wednesday, May 22, fellow administrator Dr Graeme Emonson praised Mr Tanner’s work, noting that the chair of administrators put council back on a positive trajectory.
“On behalf of the council and the broader Moira community, I take this opportunity to publicly acknowledge and extend our sincerest appreciation to you for the leadership you've given to Moira Shire and the broader community,” Dr Emonson said.
“Administrator Tanner took over in some very challenging and disruptive times, and it really did call for very solid and sound leadership, for guidance and wisdom.... I think by every measure administrator Tanner has carried that out.”
Moira Shire administrator Suzanna Sheed said that she has witnessed Mr Tanner’s hard work first-hand.
“Your focus on good governance has been a real lesson and I think throughout the whole shire that should be recognised,” she said in the May council meeting.
In a parting message, Mr Tanner said Moira Shire residents should have confidence with the current situation in council.
“Do not be too concerned about being under administration... until 2028,” he said.
“There is still a lot of work to be done here. But you will not be inhibited in any way by being under administration.
“Administrators Emonson and Sheed are dedicated to building trust, respect and credibility within the community. They will listen attentively but remain decisive in their decision-making.
“I look forward to following Moira Shire Council in the coming years as they prepare for the return to an elected council in 2028,” Mr Tanner said.
