Casey Council to hire special committee to help restore community trust
Casey Council officers have recommended a committee be created to help with planning decisions in the wake of recent shocking corruption claims. But Ratepayers Victoria say it’s not enough – calling for a more dramatic response.
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Casey Council has proposed to appoint a Special Committee to assist with planning decisions after an officers’ report revealed plummeting public confidence amid ongoing corruption claims.
Councillors will on tonight vote on the recommendation to establish a committee to provide “community assurance” in the integrity of decision making while the independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) investigation into planning corruption allegations in the municipality is underway.
“The Special Committee would operate with authority to make decisions on behalf of council in relation to the Planning & Environment Act, but it does not replace the decision-making authority of council,” the council’s governance manager Holly De Krester told Leader.
She said the committee would be made up of one councillor and two external people with relevant planning, governance and probity experience. An expression of interest process will seek applications.
Leader understands the committee would deal only with planning applications that are under the IBAC spotlight.
The council said in its pre-meeting report it would still delegate the majority of its planning decisions to officers, with the Special Committee not changing this existing arrangement.
“The City of Casey acknowledges that community confidence in the integrity of decision making at council in regards to planning decisions made by council is low”, the report said.
“However, council is required to continue operation inclusive of conducting council meetings and making decisions as they relate to planning matters.”
In the report, the council noted it was fully co-operating with IBAC and welcomed the hearings in the public interest.
“We remain committed to ensuring the highest standards of integrity and probity as we manage the rapid growth and development of our city.”
Ratepayers Victoria president Dean Hurlston said he welcomed the decision, but felt ratepayers had been “let down”.
“It’s wholly appropriate for ratepayers that all planning decisions involving any of the parties identified with IBAC be reviewed without delay,” Mr Hurlston said.
“If any of these matters require further investigations – then decisions must be set aside or overturned because ratepayers deserve better.”
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Mr Hurlston said Ratepayers Victoria demanded an administrator be appointed and the whole council be sacked.
“While a Special Committee is a good start, we demand the council be sacked as it’s the only way to restore ratepayers’ confidence.”
An integrity monitor has been installed at the City of Casey as the state watchdog continues its public hearings into allegations of dodgy donations with property developers.