Ratepayers Billed $3,289 as Timeline Set for Rockingham Mayor’s Conduct Training
Ratepayers are to foot a $3,289 bill for an independent assessment, as a six-month timeline is set for Mayor Lorna Buchan's mandated behaviour training.
Wade McColl (20/07/2026)
(P-01) Lorna Buchan, City of Rockingham Mayor. Photo by Wade McColl, Baldivis Times 2026. (P-02) Australian money. Photo By Getty Images.
The administrative fallout from Rockingham Mayor Lorna Buchan's recent Code of Conduct breach has been quantified, with the City confirming that ratepayers will foot a $3,289 bill for the independent assessment of the complaint.
Following our initial reporting that Mayor Buchan was found to have breached three distinct clauses of the local government Code of Conduct, including the use of offensive or derogatory language.
The Baldivis Times reached out to the City of Rockingham and Mayor Buchan directly for an official statement regarding the mandated fallout.
While Mayor Buchan did not respond to direct requests for comment, the City’s Governance Services department provided an official breakdown of the costs and timelines associated with the Behaviour Complaints Committee’s ruling.
The Financial Cost of the Complaint
According to the official response provided by Governance Services, the procurement of the independent Complaints Assessor required to investigate the matter cost the City $3,289.
Furthermore, as part of the committee's disciplinary ruling, the Chief Executive Officer was directed to implement an active training plan for Mayor Buchan. The training will focus on the roles and responsibilities of an Elected Member, with specific attention to the appropriate use of social media.
The City noted that the financial cost of this mandated training is "yet to be determined" and will only be available upon the completion of the training plan.
A Six-Month Deadline
Governance Services confirmed that the clock is officially ticking on the Mayor's disciplinary requirements.
"The Committee determined its findings on 20 April 2026, and the training plan is required to be completed within six months of that date,"
a City spokesperson told the Baldivis Times. This places the final deadline for the completion of the Mayor's mandated training squarely in late October 2026.
When questioned on the City's broader strategy for managing elected member compliance moving forward, the response from Governance Services placed the onus squarely on individual councillors.
"Council Member behaviour is the responsibility of each elected member and is guided by the Code of Conduct for Council Members, Committee Members, and Candidates; Council’s Complaint Management Policy; and relevant legislation," the spokesperson said.
The Original Breach
The administrative actions stem from a formal complaint lodged by Phil Edman on 5 February 2026. Following an investigation, the committee ruled on 20 April that Mayor Buchan had breached clauses 8(1)(a), 8(2)(b), and 9(c) of the Code of Conduct.
Despite the breach being classified at the "minor end of the scale," the mandated training reflects the committee's position that formal action was necessary to mitigate future risks.
Mr. Edman previously told The Baldivis Times that he harboured no ongoing ill will toward the Mayor, stating:
"I was just happy for a simple apology... We all make mistakes in life. I wish no Anguish for our Mayor."
The Baldivis Times will continue to monitor the completion of the mandated training plan as the October deadline approaches.