The Lark Hill Scandal - The Real Reason Behind Cr Buchanan’s Resignation
An explosive resignation letter reveals a governance scandal, alleged gambling policy violations, and allegations of a "misled" Council over the Lark Hill Race Cup.
By Wade McColl (30/04/2026)
Dr. Craig Buchanan has walked away from the City of Rockingham, alleging a major governance failure.
For the past 48 hours, the City of Rockingham has been embroiled in a bitter debate over $8 million administration building upgrades and the cost of the red bin system.
But as it turns out, that was just a distraction.
While the Deputy Mayor and other Council members have been busy “correcting the record” on office renovation costs, the Baldivis Times has been granted exclusive access to the documents the City hasn’t been talking about.
Photo of Lark Hill Race Club declaring the City of Rockingham as a “platinum sponsor”.
The Core Issue: A Policy Ignored?
The controversy centres on the City’s Outdoor Events Policy, adopted in 2018. The policy contains a “crystal clear” provision: “The City will not approve events which promote tobacco or gambling.”
Despite this, the upcoming Lark Hill Race Cup has been heavily promoted by TABTouch. According to Dr. Buchanan, this clear promotion should have immediately disqualified the event from receiving either City approval or taxpayer funding.
In his official statement, Buchanan outlines the assurances given to Council in December 2025 regarding gambling promotions.
“Misled” in the Chamber: The Timeline of Deception
In his resignation letter to Mayor Lorna Buchan, Dr. Buchanan characterizes the Council as being “badly misled.” He alleges that City Directors gave Councillors explicit assurances that any approval for the race would be undertaken in accordance with Council policies, specifically that gambling advertisements would be grounds to withhold funding.
However, Buchanan claims that in early April, the City administration abruptly flipped, granting the permit without applying the Outdoor Events Policy to avoid a legal fight with the organisers at the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT).
The formal letter addressed to Mayor Lorna Buchan detailing the “approvals process” concerns.
The Parting Shot: “I Am Not Willing to Sit Opposite Staff Who Misled Us”
Dr. Buchanan’s media release contains some of the most scathing remarks ever levelled at the Rockingham City Administration.
He states that he is no longer willing to sit across from a CEO who “believes that he and his employees are not required to adhere to the policies set down for them by the duly elected Council.”
The “Parting Shot” - Buchanan confirms he will be approaching the Local Government Inspector.
What Happens Next?
With an extraordinary election now on the horizon, the community is left with a fundamental question: Who is actually running the City of Rockingham? Is it the elected Councillors who set the policies, or the unelected administration that decides when those policies are too “inconvenient” to follow?
The final signatures and the official resignation date of April 30, 2026.