This week Cr Mike Neoh said the council had serious cultural and communication issues. The pair, while part of the same council team for more than a decade, were often on opposite sides of debates. So when they both raise similar concerns just days apart, we can only believe there are serious issues within the council.

The revelation WorkSafe is investigating allegations of bullying and harassment following the death of a council employee on council property adds to the concerns.

The council on Friday revealed it had told staff there were a "number of investigations under way" and it was "rigorously working through all the concerns that we have been made aware of".

"At any given time it is not unusual for large organisations to be working through human resources issues," the council said.

"The investigations, together with the staff survey results, will help focus efforts to enhance our workplace."

Why has it taken the council so long to acknowledge the issues, a week after Mr Hulin spoke out? Why did it issue a "flippant" response to Cr Neoh's concerns that effectively dismissed his comments as grandstanding?

Both have been vindicated.

Councillors are elected to represent their constituents. Gone are the days where they are free to speak to the media.

Warrnambool councillors have to notify the mayor and communications manager if they talk publicly.

Highly-paid senior staff are seemingly no longer permitted to talk to the media with comments coming from the CEO via its media team.

Trust in the council took a hit when a manager allegedly mis-used a corporate credit card. Investigations remain ongoing into that. Trust took another hit this week. If the council wants to win back community confidence, it needs to be open and transparent.

But first it must get its house in order.