‘Outrageous’ cleaning contract left ratepayers short changed: mayor

BAYSIDE Council leaders were to hold crunch talks with Sydney Airport bosses this morning after a contract between the two parties was referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

A contacts between the former Botany Council and Sydney Airport that ends later this year is being investigated by ICAC.

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BAYSIDE Council leaders were to hold crunch talks with Sydney Airport bosses this morning (Tuesday) after a contract between the two parties was referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Last week it was revealed a five-year cleaning and maintenance deal had left ratepayers short-changed by up to $12 million.

In 2015 the corrupt former Botany council agreed to carry out the work for $16 million — when in fact the deal was worth $28 million.

Former Botany Bay Council CFO Gary Goodman was thought to be behind the contract.

Mayor Bill Saravinovski will meet with airport bosses today. Picture: John Appleyard

Gary Goodman, the former council’s chief financial officer, is thought to have been behind the contract.

Goodman, who was found by ICAC to be at the centre of fraudulent activity at the council, died in November last year before any criminal charges could be brought.

The contract had a fixed three-year term — which expires in the spring.

The airport has put the remaining two years out to tender, with Bayside Mayor Bill Saravinovski set to meet airport management this morning to negotiate a new deal.

Ben Keneally, right, said the blanket criticism of his former council was unfair.

He described the original contract as “outrageous” and said he would be rebidding in an attempt to get a good deal for ratepayers.

“There is no suggestion the airport has done anything wrong in this,” Cr Saravinovski said. “This is to do with Botany council.”

Ben Keneally, who was Botany mayor at the time, said Cr Saravinovski’s blanket criticism of his council was misplaced. “It is not appropriate for councillors to be involved in the drawing up of contacts.

That leaves a risk of corruption. We had to go on the advice and audited reports we were provided.”

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