Katie Joyner cleared by ICAC over NSW Department of Planning land rezoning furore

A Sydney planning boss stood down over parliamentary allegations she used insider planning information to purchase a $3.8m home has been cleared by the corruption watchdog.

Katie Joyner’s house in Gordon. Picture: Tom Parrish

Editor’s Note: On March 18 the ICAC announced that it had completed its investigation into a complaint levelled against Ms Joyner and found no wrongdoing. It said: “The Commission is satisfied there is no evidence that Ms Joyner or any other person engaged in corrupt conduct, and has accordingly determined to close its investigation.”

A Sydney planning boss has been cleared by the corruption watchdog of allegations she used insider planning information to purchase a $3.8m home.

In response, NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully has called for Liberal shadow Attorney-General Alister Henskens to apologise for airing the allegations under parliamentary privelleges last month.

Katie Joyner, the Department of Planning’s director for the City of Sydney and Eastern District, was stood down last month as the Independent Commission Against Corruption investigated claims she purchased a property before it was proposed to be rezoned for higher density.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption on Monday said it was “satisfied there is no evidence that Ms Joyner or any other person engaged in corrupt conduct”.

In February, Mr Henskens alleged that a senior planning department official — who The Daily Telegraph later revealed was to be Ms Joyner — used insider information to purchase a property near an area set to be rezoned under the Transport Oriented Development (TOD) scheme.

Ms Joyner and her partner are the owners of a five-bedroom home near Gordon train station which they bought in August last year for $3.8m.

NSW Planning Department Director for the City of Sydney and Eastern District Katie Joyner. Picture: Supplied

Four months later, Gordon was announced by the Department of Planning as one of the suburbs to be rezoned under the “Transport Oriented Development” program.

Mr Henskens claimed in parliament there was a “strong circumstantial case” to show Ms Joyner bought the property with inside knowledge of the potential rezoning.

The comments were referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, who on Monday said it was “satisfied there is no evidence than Ms Joyner or any other person engaged in corrupt conduct”.

Planning Minister Paul Scully called on Opposition leader Mark Speakman to force his Mr Henskens to apologise to Ms Joyner.

“This is an extremely embarrassing situation for the Shadow Attorney-General,” he said.

“His assessment and judgement of what he identified as a “highly circumstantial case” has proved to be nothing more than a baseless political attack.

“The Leader of the Opposition should ask Mr Henskens to apologise.”

Mr Henskens said he “noted” the ICAC’s statement on the allegations he raised in parliament.

“I have not yet had the opportunity to discuss this statement with my confidential source,” he said.

“Until I have had those discussions, I won’t be making any further public comment.’

The Commission also examined allegations Ms Joyner had engaged in corrupt conduct by sending messages to neighbours in the area suggesting they band together and sell their properties to developers for financial gain under the NSW government’s new housing policies.

In a statement, the corruption watchdog said it had “obtained and reviewed relevant records” and “conducted a number of interviews, including with Ms Joyner” as well as conducting a forensic review of electronic devices.

“The Commission also undertook a review of the timeline of the Transport Orientated Development (TOD) process, and when Ms Joyner became aware of the relevant TOD affecting the area in which she purchased property,” the statement said.

As a result, the investigation into Ms Joyner has now been closed.

In a statement via her lawyer, Ms Joyner said she was pleased with the findings and had always acted “with the utmost integrity”.

“I have always acted in accordance with my obligations as an employee of the Department,” she said.

“I value the work that I do as a public servant and would never compromise the duties that I owe as a public servant.

“I am glad the truth has prevailed in relation to these unfair allegations which should not have been made.

“My partner and I have been severely affected by these unfair allegations which were raised under parliamentary privilege. I do not understand why these allegations were not referred to ICAC in the first place so that the matter could be properly investigated rather than allegations being made public.

Ms Joyner said now she has been cleared of wrongdoing she is seeking “legal advice as to what legal avenues are available”.

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