After a 12-month stint starting in November 2024, the two State appointed monitors that were responsible for overseeing the newly elected Casey Council finished up their term in November 2025.
The municipal monitors, Peter Stephenson and Cameron Boardman, were appointed by the State Government to oversee the council in ensuring good governance under the Local Government Act 2020.
Casey Manager of Communications and Corporate Governance, Chloe Casey, told Star News back in November, that the total cost of the monitor’s tenure over their 12-month term cost ratepayers over $210,000.
Under the Local Government Act 2020, the monitors are responsible for observing governance processes as well as provide advice to councils that are experiencing governance issues and make recommendations to local government minister, MP Nick Staikos for further action.
The role also includes observing and overseeing the functions of a council as well as the mechanisms of its operation and aiding them in getting back on track.
Typically, a report on the monitor’s findings and recommendations is released by Local Government Victoria after the monitor’s end of term, but it is still unclear when Casey’s final report will be made public
The instating of the monitors followed a series of events within the Casey Council that saw an investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), prompted by allegations of “serious corrupt conduct in relation to planning and property development decisions at the City of Casey council.”
Former Mayor Sameh Aziz and fellow elected councillors were dismissed by the State Government after allegations of corruption and poor governance, after the watchdog investigation found that there had been over $1 million in political donations from developer, John Woodman, which influenced the decisions of planning and development.
The investigation and revelations prompted the Victorian government to implement reforms to the planning system to increase transparency and accountability.
And back in September 2025, Aziz faced charges for five offences, including receiving secret commissions, misuse of position and misconduct in public office.
Woodman was also charged with giving secret commissions to Aziz between 2017 and 2019.
Three administrators were responsible for guiding the council until 2024, where 12 councillors were elected to begin leading the council.
Many, including Casey’s Mayor Stefan Koomen, remarked on the departure of the monitors as a “new chapter”.
“This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Casey,” said the Mayor in a media release in November.
“We are proud to serve our community. With the support of our residents, we are excited about the many great things we can achieve for the Casey community.”
