Playford council calls in four different law firms to end staff legal battles

The cost — so far — of a legal battle engulfing the leadership of Playford council has been revealed as it climbs towards six figures. And more costs remain uncounted.

Dr Mal Hemmerling and Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty in 2015 after he was signed as the local authority's chief executive officer. Picture: Playford Council

• Playford CEO stood down amid workplace probe
• Newly-elected Playford council in secret meeting on CEO saga
• Conflict of interest claims over Playford CEO row law firm
• Secret Playford council review revealed ‘culture of bullying’

Ratepayers in Adelaide’s northern suburbs have been stung tens of thousands of dollars as their embattled council battles allegations of a bullying and harassment culture.

Official figures show Playford Council has so far spent almost $90,000 investigating “workplace safety”.

But the bill, which includes hiring at least six major law and employment firms, is expected to be significantly higher as it doesn’t include costs investigating its suspended boss Mal Hemmerling, 72.

Dr Hemmerling was sent home to Stirling almost three weeks ago on full pay from his $366,287-a-year chief executive role over claims of “serious and wilful misconduct”.

In response to questions, the council said costs had been occurred for hiring law firms KelledyJones, Fisher Jeffries and EMA Legal.

Mal Hemmerling. Picture: Supplied

The council also said invoiced fees were from Thebarton-based Rally Consulting, Bradtke Consulting, located in Unley, and Melbourne-based Peacemaker ADR, which is currently investigating issues regarding Dr Hemmerling’s alleged harassment of a junior female staffer in July.

The council said no work had been invoiced involving Dr Hemmerling’s legal stoush.

As he threatens legal action amid vehement denials of wrongdoing, the council has faced fresh controversy after it hired a fourth law firm to help it defend the mounting row.

Council spokeswoman Verity Moreland said the $88,000 bill did not include work undertaken by a fourth city-based law firm, Norman Waterhouse, which is at the centre of a conflict of interest row.

“Naturally we expect there to be further costs while the matter continues, however we aren’t able to estimate what these may be,” she said.

“And, as already stated, we will continue to follow fair and appropriate processes for the handling of these serious and sensitive allegations concerning our staff.”

Sources said ratepayers, some of whom lived in economically challenged areas such as Davoren Park, Elizabeth and Smithfield, faced an eventual bill of more than $200,000.

The council’s debt currently stands at $108.3 million as it pursues a strategy to overhaul the Elizabeth area through the construction of new buildings.

Neither acting CEO Sam Green, who earns $273,270 with a ratepayer-funded car, nor Mr Docherty, who is paid $77,796 annually, returned calls today. Norman Waterhouse chairman Sean Keenihan also has not responded.