Stonnington councillor Sally Davis to be investigated for allegedly harassing tradies in Malvern East
A townhouse developer and his team are fed up with the alleged actions of a long-serving inner city councillor, accusing them of months of abuse and harassment as they work on a project in the councillor’s Malvern East street.
Inner East
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An inner city councillor has been accused of nine month campaign of abuse and harassment of a developer and his workers building townhouses in her street.
But Stonnington councillor Sally Davis has refuted claims made by developer Nick Lonsdale, saying she's only been on site five times and acted on concerns raised by her neighbours.
Cr Davis, a former mayor, has been referred to the Local Government Inspectorate for her alleged behaviour towards Mr Lonsdale and his team at the Malvern East worksite.
The inspectorate is not commenting on the matter as it is focusing on issues related to the October 24 local government elections, which Cr Davis is contesting.
But Leader can reveal following Mr Lonsdale’s complaint, the council’s chief executive, Jacqui Weatherill, has asked the inspectorate to investigate.
Mr Lonsdale claimed Cr Davis’ alleged behaviour took place in the nine months to August.
He said she repeatedly visited and abused workers, handed out business cards and took photos of them, their cars and the site.
He also claimed his team had been subjected to more than 50 visits from council inspectors and a complaint to Malvern police.
Mr Londale also alleged Cr Davis had ”stalked” him and suggested he buy flowers and gifts for neighbours to keep them happy.
The Leader is not suggesting these allegations are true, only that they have been made.
Mr Lonsdale said he had lost roughly $200,000 in delays and market value on the townhouses and it had taken a major emotional toll on him and his workers.
“The way she’s treated me is horrendous,” Mr Lonsdale said.
Three other workers, including a plumber who received a business card from Cr Davis, confirmed some of Mr Lonsdale’s claims to the Leader.
Cr Davis confirmed she had raised concerns with the council surrounding street access and worker vehicle parking, collapsed fencing and workers allegedly working on site after hours.
She also said she contacted Malvern police on one occasion over a potential breach of COVID-19 rules.
But she said she was not targeting Mr Lonsdale and was ”merely responding to concerns from neighbours and obvious breaches of the local law”.
“I don’t want to make life difficult for this man,” Cr Davis said.
“That’s not me, I don’t behave like that, all I’m doing is representing my community and their concerns.”
Cr Davis said she supported the development, was “a conscientious councillor” and would defend her reputation in any investigations.
Ms Weatherill said its councillors were “passionate advocates for their local communities and often engage in robust discussions with developers and with residents around developments”.
She said the inspectorate would “address the matter accordingly” if there was “substance” to Mr Lonsdale’s allegations.
The inspectorate’s acting chief municipal inspector, Dr John Lynch, said it was “committed to addressing all complaints in a timely manner”.
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