A Burnside councillor who came under scrutiny over an inappropriate message sent from his official Instagram account to a 17-year-old girl has resigned.
Julian Carbone had previously rejected calls by fellow councillors at this week's City of Burnside meeting to resign after a report found he breached the code of conduct over the message, which said: "Lots of bikini photos — but it's so damn cold at the moment hey".
However, this afternoon he posted on social media announcing his decision to step down.
"After being politically involved in the Burnside community since 1999, and having served two terms on the Burnside Council, it is with a very heavy heart that I make a decision that has been one of the hardest I have ever had to make," he wrote.
Mr Carbone had previously said the message was not intended for the complainant.
Mr Carbone said recent media reports on the issue had "brought significant pain and distress to my wife Angela and our baby, my wider family and the Burnside Council so I have decided it is time for me to put their interests ahead of my own".
The report into the complaint also found Mr Carbone followed a number of accounts that would be considered inappropriate in the work environment, but the former councillor said that was because he accepted every Instagram request and followed back accounts who followed him.
"With regards to the Code of Conduct complaint, I humbly apologise for the text that was sent, and I apologise for any distasteful and inappropriate profiles that my social media platforms have been associated with," he wrote in his statement.
"None of this was intentional, on purpose or with any unwholesome or unsavoury motivations.
Mr Carbone said he had enjoyed "serving the people of Burnside" and would "miss it dearly".
The ABC contacted Mr Carbone for further comment, but he referred back to his statement.
Burnside Mayor Anne Monceaux said she had accepted Mr Carbone's resignation and written apology.
"The past few days of media coverage surrounding Councillor Carbone has taken its toll on many people," she said.
"I am deeply saddened, in particular, by the impact that this may have had on the young woman involved and more broadly, others within our community."
Mayor Monceaux said the council had resolved on Tuesday night that Mr Carbone give a written apology, undertake social media training and deactivate his social media.
"Two council members had called publicly for his resignation and the past 48 hours have shown that many members of the community support that," she said.
