Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn to be sanctioned over Batavia Motor Inn comments after owners’ complaint

The ongoing Batavia Motor Inn feud has taken another turn with the owners of the derelict building submitting a complaint against Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn. The former hotel was bought for $572,000 in September last year by new owners 54 Fitzgerald Street Pty Ltd, however, no progress has been made since. The complaint centres on comments made by Mr Van Styn, who lives next door to the derelict and troublesome site, in a Geraldton Guardian report on June 7 that “(the owners) are hiding in their offices in Perth and blaming other people for not taking care of this”. In an ABC article, he said the owners “have blood on their hands”. City of Greater Geraldton councillors voted eight to three in favour of a motion related to the complaint behind closed doors at last Tuesday’s council meeting. An investigation and assessment report into the comments was undertaken by an independent assessor. The council agreed with the findings of the report and acknowledged five breaches of the City’s code of conduct as a result of the comments. As part of the process, the owners were offered meditation and refused. Under the motion, councillors Jerry Clune and Robert Hall will work with CEO Ross McKim to prepare and implement a behaviour plan. However, Mr Van Styn said he would not be submitting to a behaviour plan put forward by Cr Clune. “I will remain a strong advocate for action on the Batavia, despite the challenges being put forward by Deputy Mayor Clune,” he said. Mr Van Styn said he was concerned about the governance process of the motion. “I handed over the chair of the meeting to Cr Clune,” he said. “He immediately created a two-person committee which he put himself on, it’s my understanding that committees of council have to be at least three people. “There were no reasons given for the motion. The council is required by law to provide reasons for its decisions, and it failed to do so.” Mr Van Styn said himself and the Deputy Mayor were now at loggerheads over taking action on the Batavia. “At the moment there is nothing before council and I’ll be trying to explore other avenues for action. I won’t be letting my advocacy on the Batavia slide. Albeit, I’ll be sure that I am more courteous and respectful in the future.” When contacted for comment, Cr Clune stated he “will not enter into a debate on this issue and not be side-tracked by matters not relevant to the item that came before council”. Mr McKim declined to comment.