Paul Pisasale cash delivered during meeting

THE $50,000 found on Paul Pisasale was delivered in the middle of a meeting between the then Ipswich mayor and a developer proposing a multi-million dollar development in Ipswich.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale resigns during a press conference from his hospital bed at St Andrews Private Hospital in Ipswich. Picture: Tim Marsden

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THE developer who met Paul Pisasale before the then Ipswich mayor was stopped with $50,000 at Melbourne Airport is proposing a multi-million dollar development in Ipswich’s Yamanto.

The developer has this year tried to delay an application for a commercial project and submit a new plan with council.

At one stage, a contractor said the developer, Chris Pinzone’s CJP Queensland, was “arranging a meeting through the mayor’s office”, with a council development planner to also attend.

CJP has provided hospitality to Mr Pisasale at least three times, according to his register of interests.

Paul Pisasale resigned as Ipswich mayor during a press conference at St Andrew's Ipswich Private Hospital last week. Picture: AAP/Stuart Layt

A May 12 meeting was listed as happening in Sydney, but actually took place at Mr Pisasale’s Melbourne hotel. During the meeting, a man delivered the $50,000 to Mr Pisasale.

Mr Pisasale was stopped the next day at Melbourne Airport by Australian Federal Police carrying 500 $100 notes. The Crime and Corruption Commission is investigating and Mr Pisasale, citing ill health, resigned as mayor this month.

Barrister Sam Di Carlo subsequently said he had asked Mr Pisasale to carry the money to Brisbane as a favour. Mr Di Carlo said he had worked as legal representative for CJP, whose sole director is Melbourne-based Mr Pinzone, 35.

Artist’s impression for the proposed CJP development at Yamanto.

But Mr Di Carlo said the cash delivery had nothing to do with the CJP meeting.

“If they have a video it will show something like Paul meeting … with this person who everybody is calling a developer and the other bloke turning up and talking to him and handing over this parcel. So they’ve come up with two and two and reached the point of eight, instead of four. There is absolutely no connection,” Mr Di Carlo said.

Planning documents, lodged since January with Ipswich Council, show a proposal for a service station, restaurant, fast-food outlets and a childcare centre.

The Yamanto development proposal is on land valued at $3.2 million.

The vacant 14.5 hectare site, at 285-313 Warwick Road in Yamanto, was last valued at $3.2 million in 2015, property records state.

Planning documents show the initial application had “limited” documents and had only been lodged to meet a contractual deadline. A new application was planned later. In March, council said the original application had lapsed but the associated $14,000 fee could be used again.

Council had rejected one buffer zone proposal and a “second plan hasn’t even gone in yet”, Mr Di Carlo said. “Nothing has been asked of anybody by (the developer).”

Barrister Sam Di Carlo said the cash delivery had nothing to do with the CJP meeting. Picture: Tara Croser

Mr Di Carlo said he had introduced Mr Pisasale to Mr Pinzone.

“(Mr Pisasale’s) always liked developers because he wants to develop Ipswich,” he said.

Mr Pinzone has not responded to queries.

Email Charlie Peel or Liam Walsh