Related: Weragoda fronts final hearing
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A Bendigo councillor has accepted a one month leave of absence starting midnight tonight after a code of conduct into an incident of drink driving.
Councillor Mark Weragoda lost his licence in March for a period of 12 months and was fined $627.
But it was not enough for one of his colleagues, Councillor Helen Leach, who took the matter to the Councillor Conduct Panel.
Cr Leach’s concerns were upheld after Mayor Peter Cox read the findings of that panel just before 8.45pm at tonight's City of Greater Bendigo meeting.
“Having conducted a hearing, the Councillor Conduct Panel makes a finding of misconduct against the respondent,” Cr Cox said reading the first of the panel’s decisions.
“Pursuant to section 81J [2] of the Local Government Act 1989 the Councillor Conduct Panel directs Councillor Mark Weragoda to take leave of absence for the period commencing at midnight on 4 November 2015 until midnight on 3 December 2015.”
Cr Weragoda agreed to comply with the decision.
The panel’s Reasons for Decision were provided to council and councillors Leach and Elise Chapman sought to have them tabled and minuted as well, however their motion was voted down by the other seven councillors.
Cr Weragoda was caught driving with a blood alcohol reading of 0.125 on March 6, initially denying the offence to the Bendigo Advertiser.
He has since expressed his regret for the event and publicly apologised. However, after the panel’s final hearing in October, Cr Weragoda said he felt the courts had settled the matter and it was time to move on.
“It does change your life – there isn’t a day that at least some little aspect isn’t hindered,” he said following the hearing.