Southern Grampians councillor suspended after misconduct allegations

Southern Grampians Shire councillor Katrina Rainsford has been suspended for a month after a series of clashes with fellow councillors, in which she described the council as “toxic” and accused colleagues of misconduct.

What happened? Following complaints from all other councillors about Rainsford, Southern Grampians Shire commissioned an internal arbiter’s report. Among the complaints was one from Councillor Helen Henry, who said she felt “demeaned” by Rainsford’s words.

Released this week, the report found Rainsford had demeaned Henry in meetings, publicly criticised major council projects and sent emails portraying the council’s culture as “unsafe” and “toxic”.

The report said the behaviour was “capable of undermining public confidence”. 

• Rainsford allegedly spoke over colleagues during a May meeting, pressured an external consultant to back her views opposing the Hamilton Art Gallery project and said she intended to escalate her concerns over the gallery to the public.

Doing her job: Rainsford told the West Vic Brolga she “was elected to serve my community - to represent local voices, to ask difficult questions, and to advocate for transparent and responsible decision-making. Strong institutions are built on trust, not silence”.

More transparency: She also criticised the conduct process, calling it opaque and difficult to challenge, “with only the final determination made public”. 

“While confidentiality has a role, greater transparency would strengthen public confidence,” Rainsford said.

She said councillors no longer have the option to seek a review of an arbiter’s decision in VCAT, meaning “any challenge must proceed through the Supreme Court, a significant barrier. I am carefully considering my position and taking advice”.

What now? Rainsford said she plans to use the suspension as an opportunity for reflection.

The suspension will take effect the day after the determination is formally tabled at Tuesday’s council meeting.