PETITION OF VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN LORD MAYOR RUSSELL WEBB

To: The General Manager, Tamworth Regional Council

Date: 18th July 2025

We, the undersigned residents and ratepayers of the Tamworth Regional Council area, hereby express our vote of no confidence in Russell Webb, Lord Mayor of Tamworth, and formally call for his immediate resignation or removal from office.

Grounds for this petition include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Lack of Democratic Mandate

In the most recent local government election, Russell Webb received votes from only 7% of the eligible electorate, and his elevation to Lord Mayor was not through a direct public vote, but by internal council appointment—orchestrated by a small group of his political allies on council. This appointment does not reflect the democratic will of the Tamworth community and undermines public confidence in local governance.

2. Irresponsible Financial Decisions

Russell Webb has raised local council rates without justification, imposing financial strain on households while the quality of local services has declined.

He has also granted councillors—including himself—pay increases, ignoring widespread community objection and growing economic hardship among constituents.

3. Neglect of Infrastructure and Public Safety

The council under his leadership uses ineffective and low-quality repair methods to patch potholes across Tamworth. These so-called “repairs” often fail within days, and the materials used scatter across roads, damaging vehicles and posing safety hazards.

4. Failure to Address Water Quality Concerns

Mayor Webb has consistently refused to acknowledge the serious concerns regarding Tamworth’s water supply, despite many residents reporting illness, infections, and adverse health effects possibly linked to water quality.

He has also refused to authorise independent testing of the water by an external, unbiased laboratory, instead relying solely on internal council testing—raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

5. Suppression of Community Voice and Public Accountability

In a deliberate attempt to silence public opinion, Russell Webb has overseen the disabling of comments on the Council’s social media posts, effectively blocking residents from voicing concerns or holding the Council accountable in public forums.

Even when approached in person by members of the community, Russell Webb consistently refuses to engage in meaningful discussion about local issues. The only time he chooses to speak is via pre-approved interviews with local media, where again, comments from the public are disabled, silencing any public discourse or rebuttal.

6. Bullying and Political Intimidation

There have been multiple instances of bullying and intimidation directed toward select councillors who dissent or raise valid concerns in chambers.

Russell Webb has even gone so far as to censure a fellow councillor, in what many residents view as a shameless and politically motivated act to silence opposing voices and consolidate power.

7. Poor Oversight of Property Development

The mayor has permitted the construction of substandard housing, many of which are privately certified, circumventing independent council oversight. This has led to poor quality builds and a lack of accountability for developers, undermining safety and livability standards in our region.

8. Perceived Cronyism

Decisions made under Mayor Webb’s leadership appear to disproportionately benefit his own interests and those of his close associates, particularly in the farming and property development sectors, while the average resident is left behind.

Conclusion:

Russell Webb’s continued leadership has resulted in a clear erosion of trust, a lack of transparency, and an inability or unwillingness to represent the interests of the community. He has shown a repeated pattern of ignoring community feedback, silencing dissent, and acting in a manner inconsistent with the responsibilities and expectations of public office.

We, the undersigned, demand:

An extraordinary meeting of Council to address this petition and take immediate steps to remove Russell Webb as Lord Mayor of Tamworth.

An independent investigation by the NSW Office of Local Government into the conduct, decisions, and actions of Russell Webb while in office.

This petition represents a collective voice of the people of Tamworth. We will no longer be ignored, silenced, or spoken down to. We demand leadership that serves the community—not itself.