Liverpool Council refers itself to ICAC amid $200k fraud fear

Workers at a major Sydney council thought they had stumbled across a terrorist’s bomb-making stockpile after discovering 30 tonnes of fertiliser in a shipping container.

Workers thought they had stumbled across a terrorist’s bomb-making stockpile when they found 30 tonnes of fertiliser in a shipping container.

Instead it turned out to be a suspected fraud worth at least $200,000 and saw Liverpool Council refer itself to the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Council staff conducting a safety audit of all their fields found the fertiliser, which can be used to make explosives, in shipping containers at Rosedale Oval, Warwick Farm on April 13.

They also uncovered $200,000 worth of power tools and gardening equipment that had been purchased through the council’s internal system.

Liverpool Council has referred itself to ICAC over the alleged fraud.

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NSW Police confirmed the council then contacted counter terrorism police within the State Crime Command, concerned that they had ­uncovered a terrorist’s lair.

Ammonium nitrate, a bomb-making ingredient, is common in most fertilisers and farmers who purchase the ­material in bulk must first ­undergo an ASIO check.

“They referred to police ­because of the vast amounts of fertiliser and for the potential for it to be used for something other than fertiliser,” a source with knowledge of the case told The Sunday Telegraph.

Police found no immediate threat with the stockpile, saying “the horticulture-related items were a matter for the council”.

This did not stop the southwest Sydney council hiring an external investigator to find out how so much fertiliser, power tools and gardening equipment could be purchased without raising any red flags.

“The council is very concerned about the probity issues involved as their systems have been compromised,” the source said.

The employee suspected of purchasing the fertiliser and equipment is likely to be suspended while a full investigation is completed. Liverpool Council Acting Chief Executive Officer Tim Moore said: “Council contac­ted NSW Police, ICAC and SafeWork NSW and has appointed a qualified external investigator to prepare a report.”

“Most of the fertiliser has since been used on council sporting fields and parks.”