The City of Whittlesea is again in turmoil with the suspension of its mayor, Aidan McLindon.
Mr McLindon has been suspended for six months after allegations were made of intimidating behaviour. Mr McLindon is banned from performing any councillor duties, including attending meetings, delegated committees or council premises.
The City of Whittlesea has issued a statement advising that the Minister for Local Government, the Hon. Nick Staikos has suspended Mr McLindon following the receipt of a report by the Municipal Monitors and other information. “Councillor Aidan McLindon has been suspended as a Councillor at the City of Whittlesea for a period of six months under section 229A (1) of the Local Government Act 2020, effective immediately,” the statement read.
This effectively means that Mr McLindon is no longer a councillor and cannot perform any of the functions, duties or power of a councillor. This includes attending council meetings, delegated committees or attending council premises.
He will be eligible to resume his role of Councillor from Friday October 17, 2025.
Minister has also announced a Commission of Inquiry into the City of Whittlesea. The independent inquiry will see a detailed examination of matters affecting good governance at the council, and any legislative, regulatory or other reform needed to address the issues that have occurred at the council since the elections in October 2024.
Mr McLindon was elected as the representative for Kirrip Ward in October 2024 and appointed as the Mayor of the City of Whittlesea in November 2024.
As a result of this suspension the position of Mayor is now vacant and a new mayor must be appointed within a month, to serve the remainder of the current mayoral term – until Tuesday 18 November 2025.
Deputy Mayor Cr Daniela Zinni will perform the duties of the mayor until a new mayor is elected at a future council meeting.
During the period of suspension, the role of Ward Councillor for Kirrip will remain vacant and Mr McLindon will not receive any allowance.
Mr McLindon was elected mayor of Whittlesea council in November, 2024 and shortly after that was barred from attending in-person council meetings by the council’s CEO Craig Lloyd, following allegations of intimidating behaviour and poor conduct.
Controversy continued within the community when he announced plans to contest the Werribee by-election to run as independent candidate. He finished 10th out of 12 candidates, receiving just 270 votes.
Community angst came to the fore when a petition calling for his resignation as mayor was signed by more than 1,000 people.
The matter saw Whittlesea councillors unanimously pass a vote of no-confidence in Mr McLindon, citing breaches of the Councillor Model Code of Conduct.
Whittlesea Council is no stranger to controversy. In 2020 the entire council was sacked due to ‘serious governance failures’ and an ‘intractable toxic culture’ and the sacking of five Chief Executives in Five years.
