THE Derwent Valley Council has lost its second councillor in a matter of days, with New Norfolk’s Matt Hill announcing his resignation this afternoon. This follows the departure of former deputy mayor Jessica Cosgrove on Monday of this week.
EARLIER: FORMER DEPUTY MAYOR CALLS TIME
“I have officially submitted my resignation as an elected official (councillor) for Derwent Valley Council to the council chief executive officer,” Mr Hill said in a social media post. “It was an honour and a privilege to serve the Derwent Valley community in this capacity. I was first elected in 2021 through the process of a recount and then outright re-elected at the 2022 Tasmanian Local Government Elections.
“Thank you to those individuals that have supported me over this period of time. I am proud of what I achieved as a councillor. I have lived in the Derwent Valley all my life and my family has lived here for generations. I am proud and passionate of where I come from and I will continue to be involved in various community organisations.”
With council elections due to be called within the next six months, the positions will remain vacant unless they present a problem maintaining a quorum at council meetings with only six councillors.
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9 Responses
This situation appears to be very unusual, perhaps the Mayor can enlighten us to what is actually going on !!!
Agree. The silence is deafening. Not even the “need to spend more time with my family” response. Rats fleeing the sinking ship??
Your armchair comment is disgraceful.
Could it be councillors don’t want to be blamed for the massive increase in rates that appears to be coming.
Several posts by the Mayor constantly refer to strengthening the fiscal position of council and councils can’t make the easy decisions but the responsible one.
It appears someone is soft launching what pain is coming.
Arm chair comment or idiom? Mismanagement or corruption?? Please explain why questioning transparency and accountability is disgraceful??
Thank you grounding our concerns in facts really does make all the difference. And on that note, I’m turning in now. In small communities like ours, a good night’s rest can be just as important as a good conversation. Tomorrow will bring fresh light, fresh thoughts, and plenty of time to keep the discussion steady and constructive.
Jessica Cosgrove and Matt Hill, thank you for your service on the Derwent Valley Council.
Jessica has been a tireless worker and always approachable. Matt gave his all on important community projects.
The ratepayers of the Derwent Valley deserve a statement from the mayor on what is going on. Michelle Dracoulis, to stop unnecessary speculation about your leadership. I’m shocked that you have not issued a atatement thanking two highly respected councillors for their good service.
The council will now limp to the next election, minus two hard-working councillors.
First, we had a Big Announcement by the mayor around Kensington Park, which proved a fizzer, now it’s a disgrace, left in very poor condition. Then, the Massive Announcement of Incat at Boyer, another fizzer, did not happen. Then, Incat coming to the Derwent Valley to build boats, another fizzer, and they brought the cherry farm.
The council was promised stability at the last council elections. It’s been anything but stable. Roll on Council Elections 2026.
Thank you Nigel and I would add my own personal thanks to Jessica and Matt for their service. The Derwent Valley Council mayor made a brief announcement (just under 20 seconds in length) at the start of last night’s council meeting and said the council collectively thanked them for their service and wished them all the best.
Good comments Nigel. You forgot the big announcement around saving the Bushy Park pool for that to be turned on it head again now.