The compulsory meeting which must be called within four months of local government elections requires all councillors to sign the councillor code of conduct.  

The amendment to the code which requires all councillors as well as the mayor and chief executive officer to be notified in the instance of a dispute was passed unanimously by the council. 

Moorabool deputy mayor Tonia Dudzik said she was supportive of the change as it added a further level of openness to council relationships. 

“I think it’s a good thing for transparency of the council,” Cr Dudzik said.  

First term East Moorabool councillor Jarrod Bingham put forward two further amendments to the code of conduct, however both were voted down.  

The first sought to make unauthorised recording of a fellow councillor a breach, while the second sought to stop councillors from using a pseudonym on social media with the intent of bringing council or councillors into disrepute.  

Cr Bingham and fellow East Moorabool councillor John Keogh were the only two to support the amendments.

Cr Bingham said he questioned why fellow councillors refused to accept the amendments given they were designed to improve council transparency. 

“I'm disappointed at the result that occurred because a key point I made throughout my entire election is that I would fight for a more transparent council."

Moorabool mayor Dave Edwards and former mayor Paul Tatchell were absent from the meeting. 

The Hepburn Shire also held its special meeting in regards to the councillor code of conduct on Tuesday night, which was passed unanimously with no major changes.