| Whistleblowers Protection, Protected and Public Disclosures
The Surf Coast Shire Council (the Council) supports the aims and objectives of the Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 (the Act). Council does not tolerate improper conduct by its employees nor the taking of reprisals against those who come forward to disclose such conduct.
The Whistleblowers Protection policy covers any disclosures about Council employees, councillors, members of “Special Committees of Council” [Section 86, Local Government Act 1989] and Council volunteers.
The procedures associated with this policy establish a system for reporting disclosures of improper conduct or detrimental action by the Council or its employees. The system enables such disclosures to be made by Council employees or by members of the public to a protected disclosure coordinator. Disclosures may be made by individuals who wish to remain anonymous; they may be made verbally or in writing.
In all cases, a disclosure made under the Whistleblowers Protection Act will be managed as per the requirements of the Act and Council’s Whistleblowers Management Procedures.
Council is committed to transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices, and supports the making of disclosures that reveal:
- corrupt conduct;
- conduct involving substantial mismanagement of Council resources;
- conduct involving a substantial risk to public health and safety or
- conduct involving a substantial risk to the environment.
Council will take all reasonable steps to protect people who make such disclosures from any detrimental action in reprisal for making the disclosure. It will also afford natural justice to any employee who is the subject of the disclosure.
Click on the link below to visit the Whistleblowers Ombudsman Victoria Website
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