The NSW Office of Local Government (OLG) has formally warned Hawkesbury City Council councillors and senior staff following the publication of confidential information relating to former General Manager Elizabeth Richardson.
The warning has been made public through a Mayoral Minute to be considered at Council's Ordinary Meeting on 2 June, where Mayor Les Sheather has called on councillors to improve standards of conduct both inside and outside the council chamber.
In a letter dated 12 May 2026, the Office of Local Government expressed concern about information published in the Hawkesbury Gazette relating to Ms Richardson. The letter states that OLG understood the information had been considered by Council during a confidential session closed to the public under Section 10A of the Local Government Act.
The Deputy Secretary of the Office of Local Government wrote "in relation "to Ms Richardson's cessation of employment" that he had been advised Council entered into a Deed of Release in which Ms Richardson did not consent to the release of the information and that Council had not otherwise authorised its disclosure.
The letter states that the publication of confidential information considered during a closed council meeting "is a serious matter and may constitute a breach of the Act".
According to the correspondence, Section 664 of the Local Government Act provides for the maximum penalty of 50 penalty units for unauthorised disclosure of confidential information, while Section 664(1) makes it an offence for a person to intentionally disclose information obtained in connection with council functions where disclosure is not authorised.
The Office of Local Government further warned that unauthorised disclosure of confidential information to the media "is a serious breach of trust" and may result in enforcement action under the Act.
"I expect Councillors and senior staff to strictly comply with their statutory obligations."
The letter indicates the OLG will continue to monitor media reporting on the matter and consider whether further regulatory action is required.
The correspondence has been attached to a Mayoral Minute titled "Councillor Behaviour", in which Mayor Sheather says recent events have left him with "no choice" but to address standards of conduct among elected representatives.
The Mayor said councillors must remember the oath they took upon election and reflect on whether their conduct always serves the best interests of the Hawkesbury community. He also signalled a tougher approach to enforcing Council's Code of Meeting Practice.
"Where I determine there has been a breach, there will be the appropriate action as I require it," the Mayor wrote.
"Should you not heed this warning, then don't be surprised if you are asked to leave the meeting and to not return until such time as you are prepared to follow that direction."
Mayor Sheather also linked councillor conduct to workplace culture, noting that while recent staff surveys showed significant improvements in workplace health and safety, organisational values and employee engagement, one measure that declined was staff pride in working for Council. He said that decline was even more pronounced among employees who live within the Hawkesbury local government area.
The matter comes at a sensitive time for Hawkesbury City Council following the reported resignation of Ms Richardson at the 14 April 2026 Council meeting and ongoing public debate around governance, transparency and executive decision-making.
The concerns raised in the Mayor's Minute follow a highly emotional Council meeting on 12 May 2026, during which Councillor Creed spoke openly about the impact that bullying and harassment had allegedly had on his wellbeing. In an emotional address to the chamber, Cr Creed said the situation had affected him so severely that he had contemplated self-harm.
As Cr Creed became visibly distressed and overwhelmed during his remarks, he left the chamber. Despite the seriousness of the issues being raised and his emotional state, the meeting continued and was not adjourned.
The incident prompted considerable discussion within the community and has intensified scrutiny of councillor conduct, workplace culture and the broader responsibilities of elected representatives to ensure respectful and safe interactions both inside and outside the council chamber.
Councillors will be asked to formally receive and note the Mayoral Minute and the accompanying OLG correspondence at Tuesday night's meeting.
Disclosure
The Hawkesbury Gazette discloses Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett has familial ties to the publisher. The Gazette maintains editorial independence and publishes this disclosure in the interests of transparency.
