Exclusive: Gold Coast City Council has been the victim of a $2.7 million fraud

Investigations are underway into a multi-million dollar fraud that has rocked Gold Coast City Council. Find out the details.

An investigation is underway into a multi-million dollar fraud that has rocked City Hall, with council launching an external review of its procedures.

The Bulletin can reveal city councillors late on Tuesday at the first governance and finance committee meeting of the new council term were updated on a “serious fraud” detected by the council earlier this year.

The briefing to councillors on the committee was provided in a closed session.

Gold Coast City Council chambers. Picture: Richard Gosling

City CEO Tim Baker after the meeting confirmed the incident was under investigation by the Queensland Police Service and the Australian Federal Police since detection.

“An independent third party review of City processes has been undertaken, and it was concluded our procedures met industry standards,” he said.

“However, all recommendations made by this consultant have been adopted.

“As a result of this incident, the City incurred a financial loss of $2.78 million.”

Mr Baker reassured ratepayers that their personal data and privacy remained safe.

“Importantly, the incident did not involve a breach of our operating systems and no personal data has been compromised,” he said.

CEO Tim Baker. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“As soon as the City Administration was able to do so, councillors received a briefing on the incident and new councillors have been briefed.

“All were informed the matter was confidential. As there is an ongoing police investigation, the City is unable to make further comment.”

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