Kentish Council Accused of Fraud, Seeks Governor’s Aid

Local resident of Sheffied, Warren Brooke has escalated his dispute with the Kentish Council and the Minister for Local Government, taking his case to the Governor of Tasmania.

Brooke’s letters detail his belief that the council has committed multiple acts of fraud against the Crown and his private property. He claims the council has abused his land title FR 143448/1 and the adjoining crown lands title C558298.

He also claims that the Minister for Local Government, Hon Kerry Vincent, has “sanctioned multiple acts of fraud against the Crown” and has repeatedly ignored conclusive evidence of the wrongdoing.

Brooke is now requesting that the Governor use her authority to “sack the minister immediately for aggravated fraud against the Crown”.

Brooke’s letters, dating from January to July 2025, detail a series of incidents and accusations.

Letters have been sent to various government officials, including the Minister for Local Government, the Governor of Tasmania and the Attorney General, alleging fraud and corruption by the Kentish Council.

Brooke asserts that the council has no authority to redefine road use or impose conditions on a burdening title.

He states that any right of way that existed prior to 2005 was “expunged” by the new titles. Brooke also accuses the council of conspiring with Sustainable Timbers Tasmania to gain access to land where he has the sole right of way.

The letters outline numerous alleged incidents, including forced entry onto his property on 15 November, 2024, when the council allegedly destroyed a locked gate with heavy equipment.

Brooke claims further incursions occurred in January and May 2025, during which the council destroyed parts of his private road and built a structure across it.

He states that the road, which has had a locked steel gate for over 50 years, is a “private vehicle track” and not used by the public.

Brooke also alleges that the council has used public funds to appease a third party and that he was falsely arrested on his own property on 17 July 2025, for refusing to give way to the council.

Brooke has sent copies of documents to the Attorney General, including a letter dated 1 February, 2025, which advised of fraud involving the Minister for Local Government, Sustainable Timbers Tasmania, the government gazette and the local government.

In his letter to the Governor of Tasmania, dated 11 June, 2025, Brooke requests assistance with a matter of “documented State government fraud against the Crown” and asks the Governor to use her authority to “sack the minister immediately”.

Brooke has also advised that he has requested the Federal Police to proceed with fraud charges against the Kentish Council, the former general manager (Gerard Monson), the current general manager (Jason Browne), Sustainable Timbers Tasmania and the Minister for Local Government (Kerry Vincent MP), whom he has named as an “accessory to public office fraud”.

He is seeking the replacement of his destroyed gate and fence, the removal of a structure built across his road, compensation and a formal apology from the Kentish council.

Brooke concludes one letter by stating, “If what you represent is democracy, then may God save Australia…”.

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