City of Nedlands plunged deeper into crisis as three councillors resign
The Nedlands council, which presides over one of Perth's wealthiest districts, was already under the threat of dismissal from the Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley over a series of highly public issues.
If the council loses a forth member, it could be at risk of being put into administration because they will not have the numbers required to make decisions.
On Monday morning, Ben Hodson abruptly resigned after more than two decades on the council, saying he could no longer serve in an environment he claimed was "consistently toxic".
In his resignation letter, seen by the ABC, he detailed the "dysfunction" he said has swept through the administration.
"I understand that we have seen the majority of staff leave over the last 12 months, a failed audit and an operative work safe review because of unspecified issues," he wrote.
"The constant infighting, lack of productive dialogue, bullying behaviours, weaponising the code of conduct that has been rather vexatious in nature and the unwillingness to address serious concerns have made it impossible to effectively represent the community."
The council has been under fire from some sectors of the community for actively opposing the construction of a nature parkland for dying children outside a hospice in beachside Swanbourne.
The saga led Planning Minister John Carey to call for the Mayor Fiona Argyle to resign.
Mr Hodson said that was one of the main contributors to his decision to leave.
"The way that was handled in my opinion not the best outcome for both the hospice and the community," Mr Hodson said.
Hengameh Amiry and Noel Youngman have also resigned, with Mr Amiry and Mr Hodson being wiped from the city's website.
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