Gympie council declines to comment on investigation claims

Gympie Regional Council is keeping schtum on claims of a growing number of internal investigations into alleged misconduct, some dating back more than five years.

Gympie Regional Council’s has remained mum amid claims it is carrying a growing number of internal investigations into alleged misconduct, some dating back more than five years.

Gympie Regional Council’s has remained mum amid claims it is carrying a growing number of internal investigations into alleged misconduct, some dating back more than five years.

The Services Union, which represents the council’s workforce, this month flagged concerns about an “increasing” number of internal investigations happening within the council’s walls.

This had been happening “during a time of uncertainty” around jobs and the organisation’s employment structure, the union said, and “concerningly some of these investigations into alleged events date back more than five years”.

“This makes it very difficult to provide clear information about what has been alleged,” the union said.

“Members have also advised the union that outcomes of other investigations have been based on a ‘she said, he said’ scenario.

“We are also advised that some investigations are taking longer than six months,” the union said.

“This is unacceptable.”

The Services Union has flagged concerns about the length of some of the council’s internal investigations.

The council declined to comment on questions about the union’s claims and what was under investigation.

“(The) council cannot comment on any investigation or legal proceedings,” communications manager Sharna Rowley said.

The council has been plagued by questions about the decision making happening behind its closed doors.

In 2017, the region played host to the Queensland Local Government Reform Alliance’s annual meeting as scandals engulfed councils, including Fraser Coast and Ipswich.

Former Queensland Local Government Reform Alliance president Colin Hewett said the region had been considered a “hot spot” for allegations of local government misconduct.

The region had been identified by the group as a “hot spot” for public concern about accountability.

Former QLGRA president Colin Hewett, who died in May this year, said at the time the choice of Gympie was not a coincidence. 

“From what we’ve been told, there are a number of concerns from residents here in Gympie that echo similar issues across Queensland,” Mr Hewett said.

In 2019, the council was rocked by the suspension of three staff members pending an investigation.

The outcome of that investigation remains unknown.

The union said in its release the council’s right to investigate concerns was not under question.

However “the process though should be fair, reasonable, consistent and respectful”.