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Stirling Mayor to Apologize After Appeal Withdrawal

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. -mayor-to-apologize-after-appeal-withdrawal.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, February 10th 2026 at 4:12 GMT by The West Australian
      Locales: Western Australia, AUSTRALIA

Stirling, WA - February 10th, 2026 - Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin will deliver a public apology at the next City of Stirling council meeting on February 16th, following the withdrawal of an appeal against a State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) ruling that found him to have acted improperly. The SAT determined that Mayor Irwin breached the Local Government Act by voting on a development application concerning land in Balcatta while simultaneously holding a financial interest in that same land, through a family trust.

The saga began in August of 2024 when the SAT initially delivered its unfavorable finding. Mayor Irwin's legal team subsequently launched an appeal to the Supreme Court, attempting to overturn the SAT's decision. However, on Monday, February 9th, 2026, the City of Stirling confirmed the appeal had been officially discontinued, paving the way for the public apology.

This incident has sparked a renewed debate surrounding transparency and ethical conduct within local government. Experts in local governance suggest that while conflicts of interest are not uncommon, the critical aspect lies in proper disclosure and recusal. The SAT's ruling, and Mayor Irwin's eventual acceptance of it, serve as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to stringent ethical guidelines.

"The Local Government Act is very clear," explains Dr. Eleanor Vance, a Professor of Public Administration at the University of Western Australia. "Council members are entrusted with making decisions in the best interests of the community, and any personal financial stake in a development application immediately creates a conflict. While a family trust adds a layer of complexity, it doesn't negate the inherent conflict. The Act prioritizes public trust and the appearance of impartiality is just as important as actual impartiality."

The specifics of the Balcatta development application remain somewhat confidential, but sources indicate it involved a proposal for a medium-density housing project. The land in question is reportedly a commercially zoned lot with potential for significant redevelopment. The scale of Mayor Irwin's financial interest within the family trust has not been publicly disclosed, further fueling scrutiny from local residents and opposition councillors.

The decision to withdraw the Supreme Court appeal appears to have been made after careful consideration by Mayor Irwin and his advisors. Continuing the legal battle would have likely incurred further costs for the City of Stirling and potentially prolonged the negative publicity. Furthermore, legal experts believe the SAT's original ruling was strongly worded and based on solid evidence, making a successful appeal increasingly unlikely.

Opposition councillors have called for a review of the City of Stirling's conflict of interest procedures, suggesting that existing guidelines may not be robust enough to prevent similar incidents in the future. Councillor Patricia Davies, a long-time critic of Mayor Irwin, stated, "This is not just about one individual. It's about the systemic integrity of our council. We need to ensure that all councillors receive comprehensive training on ethical obligations and are fully aware of their responsibilities when dealing with potentially conflicting situations."

Mayor Irwin, in a brief statement released through the City of Stirling, acknowledged his mistake. "I made a mistake and I'm committed to learning from it," he said. He is expected to elaborate on his apology at the February 16th council meeting, addressing the community and outlining steps he will take to prevent a recurrence.

The incident has prompted discussions within the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) regarding the need for standardized conflict of interest training for all elected officials. WALGA is reportedly considering incorporating a mandatory ethics module into its existing professional development programs.

The upcoming council meeting is expected to be heavily attended by both the public and media, as residents eagerly await Mayor Irwin's apology and a clearer understanding of the processes that led to this breach of trust. The situation serves as a cautionary tale for all local government officials, underscoring the critical importance of upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and ensuring transparency in all decision-making processes.