As talks begin to appoint an administrator to run Armidale Regional Council within coming days, mayor Simon Murray said the council had requested intervention.
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Cr Murray said many requests were made to the Office of Local Government for intervention, as the council culture became toxic, with claims of bullying and harrassment.
He acknowledged the attendance of only five councillors at the recent workshop to discuss the wording of council's reply to the Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock - outlining the reasons why it should survive - was a fair indication of how fractured council had become.
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The suspension has followed many requests from council for intervention, Cr Murray said, and he said the Minister's letter recognised long-standing divisions within council, numerous codes of conduct complaints and also councillors, acting as individuals, resorting to legal advice.
Cr Murray said it also followed a recent SafeWork NSW investigation into council's workplace, which revealed management had done all it could to guarantee the safety of staff, but said it was up to the Office of Local Government to deal with the behaviour of councillors.
"We don't have a copy of that report, but a letter from SafeWork NSW advised us that it involved bullying and harassment by certain councillors towards staff in general and also other councillors," he said.
While Ms Hancock's office told The Armidale Express she would not be able to comment publicly until she had considered the response from the council, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said he has already spoken with the Minister and her office to secure the swift appointment of an independent administrator.
"The Minister is obligated to consider council's response to her notice and I expect arrangements will be put in place in the coming days for the formal suspension of the council and the appointment and announcement of an independent and experienced administrator," Mr Marshall said.
"This should be finalised by the end of the week.
"I now look to the future with a degree of optimism."
He said the issues plaguing Armidale Regional Council must be sorted and its focus returned to providing effective and united leadership for the region and delivering for the local community.
"As much as its pains me to say, the only way to achieve this now is through a period of administration," Mr Marshall said.
Under the terms of the notice, the Minister has the power to suspend the mayor and councillors for an initial period of up to three months and, if necessary, extend that period for a further three months (six months in total) to resolve the current issues within the council.
The Minister also has powers to dismiss the council for a period of time up to the next general election or for a specified period beyond this.
