Rockingham Mayor Lorna Buchan Found in Breach of Code of Conduct Over Social Media Language
The City of Rockingham’s Behaviour Complaints Committee has ordered Mayor Lorna Buchan to undergo official training after upholding a complaint lodged by Phil Edman.
Wade McColl (17/07/2026)
(P-01) Lorna Buchan, City of Rockingham Mayor. Photo by Wade McColl, Baldivis Times 2026. (P-02) City of Rockingham Council Building. Photo By Calistemon.
An official records update from the City of Rockingham has confirmed that Mayor Lorna Buchan has been found in breach of the local government's Code of Conduct for Council Members, Committee Members and Candidates.
The matter stems from a formal behaviour complaint (Reference: 01/2026) lodged on 5 February 2026 by former councillor Mr Phil Edman.
The Committee's Findings
Following a formal review process, the City's Behaviour Complaints Committee handed down its official decision on 20 April 2026. The committee ruled that the Respondent had breached three core clauses of the City's conduct guidelines:
Clause 8(1)(a) (Personal Integrity): Which mandates that elected members ensure their use of social media and other communication methods complies with the code.
Clause 8(2)(b) (Policy Compliance): Which requires council members to strictly adhere to all local government policies, resolutions, and procedures.
Clause 9(c) (Relationship with Others): Which explicitly prohibits council members from using offensive or derogatory language when referring to another person.
The report confirmed that the committee chose to assess the severity of the specific infraction at the "minor end of the scale".
Mandated Training Ordered
Despite the minor classification, the committee determined that formal action was required to minimise the risk of future operational incidents.
In accordance with clause 12(4)(b) of the Code of Conduct, the committee has officially directed the City of Rockingham Chief Executive Officer to prepare and execute an active performance plan. Under this plan, Mayor Buchan must complete specialized training covering the roles and responsibilities of an Elected Member and Mayor, with a particular focus on appropriate social media engagement. The mandated training must be fully completed within a six month window from the decision date.
The CEO has also been instructed to consult directly with Mayor Buchan during the initial preparation of the action plan and to distribute formal written notices of the final reasons to both involved parties.
Complainant Responds
When contacted by the Baldivis Times regarding the public release of the register documents, the complainant, Phil Edman, indicated he harboured no ill will regarding the administrative fallout.
"I was just happy for a simple apology I never wanted all this trouble and expense," Mr Edman told the Baldivis Times. "We all make mistakes in life. I wish no Anguish for our Mayor."
The publication of this finding comes during a broader transitional period for West Australian local councils, as historical minor breach complaints continue to be systematically filed and processed under evolving state regulations.