Rainbow posters that provoked the resignation of a Mount Alexander shire councillor this week have been removed.
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Council staff placed posters in support of same-sex marriage in the windows of the Castlemaine town hall and civic centre after a motion to fly the rainbow flag atop the building was defeated by councillors last month, four votes to three.
Former councillor Tony Bell said their behaviour was the reason for his resignation.
Read more: Flag vote claims scalp of another councillor
“Council staff were making a mockery of a decision made by council on behalf of the ratepayers,” Mr Bell said on Tuesday.
“They were thumbing their noses at our decision, so I thought ‘well, why are we councillors?’”
His resignation came just days after the shire’s mayor, Sharon Telford, stood down from council.
Mount Alexander chief executive officer Darren Fuzzard said it was a requirement of all staff to abide by councillors’ decisions.
“As such, the rainbow posters in the windows of Council buildings were removed yesterday,” Mr Fuzzard said.
“This course of action has no bearing on our commitment to continue to work with the community.”
A motion to convene an LGBTI round table before the end of 2017 was passed after flag motion was defeated.
Mr Bell said his conversations with the public about marriage equality were calm and respectful.