Second Glenelg Shire councillor follows deputy mayor and CEO out door

While Mr Phelan has committed to stay in the role until January 2024, both councillors have left their posts just a few months after the council's longest serving mayor Anita Rank also quit suddenly.

Ms Hawker was first elected to the council in 2016 and re-elected in 2020.

In a release a council spokesperson said Ms Hawker tendered her resignation on Friday, October 20.

The council has notified the Local Government Minister and Victorian Electoral Commission about the second extraordinary vacancy.

Mr Smith cited problematic behaviour by other councillors as the reason he could not continue in the job. Ms Hawker has not divulged her reasons and didn't respond to requests for comment.

The new departure raises the chances of the state government having to appoint a municipal monitor to oversee the embattled council.

South West Coast MP Roma Britnell said she had spoken to Local Government Minister Melissa Horne again this morning and there was work being done "to ensure the council has the ability to function and make decisions so the community can continue to receive services".

"The community needs to have confidence in council," Ms Britnell said.

The Standard asked Ms Horne what was being done to ensure the council's stability and when a municipal monitor would be appointed, but she would not say.

A state government spokesperson confirmed Glenelg Shire Council had contacted the government "in regard to its governance", but did not elaborate.

"We expect all councils to work constructively in the best interests of their community," the spokesperson said.

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