Council to honour Cr Centofanti

At last month’s meeting, Berri Barmera Council agreed to have memorial plaques installed on existing benches near the Berri riverfront and the Anzac Centenary Cross memorial in Barmera.

Cr Centofanti was a long-serving elected member who passed away in late 2023.

Berri Barmera Council Mayor Ella Winnall said the memorial bench seats were a fitting tribute to the much-loved councillor.

“Rhonda was a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to the betterment of our community,” she said.

“Council felt it was important to consult with the Centofanti family about a memorial for Rhonda.

“As per her family’s request, the naming of a bench seat in her honour is a simple and meaningful recognition to permanently honour Cr Centofanti’s life and service to the community.”

Cr Centofanti passed away in December 2023 after a battle with cancer at the age of 74.

Since her passing, Berri Barmera Council has continued with seven councillors.

“Council thoroughly investigated the possibility of holding a supplementary election to fill the vacancy in early 2024 and is unfortunately not legally able to do so due to the timing of the passing of Cr Centofanti,” Mayor Winnall said.

Under the Local Government (Elections) Act 1999, councillor vacancies that occur within 12 months of the last election are filled through simply electing the first person not elected at the past election.

Unfortunately, Cr Centofanti passed away after the first year of the term which resulted in council being required to adhere to the endorsed policy in place at the time of the vacancy.

Legislation also prevents any changes made to the council policy from being retrospectively applied to past vacancies, therefore any changes made now would only affect future vacancies that occur up until November 2025, and then again for subsequent terms of council.

If a vacancy occurs in the 12 months before the next election, a supplementary election cannot be held regardless of any council policy.

Berri Barmera Council ‘Elections - Casual Vacancies Policy’ was in place at the time of the vacancy and states that a single councillor vacancy can only be filled if a subsequent vacancy occurs before the fourth year of the term.

Council has held this policy to carry a single vacancy for the past 15 years.

“It is always optimal to have a full contingent of elected members, but the policy position prevents one unexpected vacancy costing the ratepayers in funding the supplementary election,” Mayor Winnall said.

“Berri Barmera carried one vacancy last term when Cr Fuller resigned mid-term, as well as many councils across the state facing similar circumstances.

“The last thing elected members want is their personal circumstances to cause a supplementary election and therefore cause the cost of an election for ratepayers.”

This policy position is relatively common across regional local government in South Australia and is consistent with the District Council of Loxton Waikerie.

The memorial plaques will be added to existing seats in coming weeks.