
Exodus continues with two more directors leaving WBW
THE Wide Bay Water board has lost another two members, leaving the corporation without a functioning board.
Daniel Poacher and Geoff Skerritt, both appointed in April, left the board on on Friday.
Mr Poacher met with Fraser Coast Mayor Gerard O'Connell to personally deliver his resignation letter.
He said he decided to resign over differences including a council direction not to plan for growth and differing views from the water advisory committee.
In his letter to Cr O'Connell, he said he believed it was not in the public interest to turn WBW into a council business unit.
Mr Poacher said he also did not believe WBW's current form as a local government-owned corporation was the most appropriate.
He said the instability, particularly for WBW staff, needed to come to an end.
Geoff Skerritt is also no longer a member of the board, despite neither resigning nor being sacked.
Mr Skerritt told the Chronicle he had received notice from Cr O'Connell on Friday that the council had taken his open letter to the editor, which appeared in the Chronicle last Wednesday, as a resignation.
In the letter, Mr Skerritt referred to himself as a former director.
He said he made the reference because he fully expected to be sacked once the letter was published.
"They have had no offer of resignation from me," he said.
Mr Skerritt said Cr O'Connell told him on Friday his actions could only be construed as a resignation, and the WBW board had been informed of that.
"Effectively, I am no longer on the board," he said.
With the loss of Mr Poacher and Mr Skerritt, the board is left with four members, including three only appointed last week.
Mr Poacher and Mr Skerritt said legislation required a board to have five members to operate.
Former director Brendon Falk resigned last Monday, while previous chair Danny Mattsson and deputy chair Curly Tatnell were sacked last month.
Cr O'Connell said the council would begin the process to replace Mr Poacher on Monday.
"Council will continue to work with the board to minimise duplication and continue to supply the Fraser Coast with the best possible water and waste water services," he said.
WBW exodus
Chair Danny Mattsson: sacked
Deputy chair Curly Tatnell: sacked
Director Brendon Falk: resigned
Director Daniel Poacher: resigned
Director Geoff Skerritt: no longer a member