‘Mafia’ of ‘secretive’ council and its ‘rude staff’ blasted in review

THE Gold Coast City Council is secretive, has rude staff and is like “dealing with the mafia”, a government review has been told.

Gold Coast council ‘like dealing with mafia’

THE Gold Coast City Council is secretive, has rude staff and is like “dealing with the mafia”, a government review has been told.

The Office of the Information Commissioner is conducting the review to determine whether it is being proactive in publishing material and complying with Right To Information and privacy issues.

The OIC’s compliance program has sought feedback with parts of several submissions posted on its website.

In the published comments residents have alleged the council:

• Withheld information on a “party house” in the hope that the complaining resident would go away.

• Used an appeal to the Privacy Act to prevent action being taken against a resident setting up three commercial businesses in a suburb, including a massage service.

• Cannot respond quickly to RTI feedbacks because its office is short-staffed.

• Has a Contact Us email but very rarely provides responses and fails to upload meeting documents in times for meeting.

• Failed to respond to complaints about public arts funding being given to non-local artists.

• Is running its own secret agenda with the Gold Coast Waterways Authority in providing infrastructure funding for a ferry service.

Gold Coast Council Chambers at Evandale. Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

• Blocked residents who made comments on the mayor’s official Facebook page.

A resident concerned about the Tugun to Bilinga Oceanway proposal regarded the council consultation process as a farce.

“Having viewed written responses to my letters and other people’s letters to council I remain disgusted at the manner in which the council replies to the public … it is actually rude and insulting,” the resident wrote.

Another resident, who used the council website to watch sessions of full council, asked why so many meetings were closed.

“What is it that a local council or its members are hiding about their business and conduct,” the resident wrote.

Another resident who made a complaint about alleged corruption involving public grants was furious after it was rejected, claiming some officers had serious concerns but had failed to follow through on their investigations.

Gold Coast Council Chambers at Evandale. Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

“My experience in working with the GCCC and its councillors is very much like dealing with the mafia. As long as you keep quiet on what you see and hear, all is good,” the resident said.

The review is in its final stages and a report will be made to State Parliament earlier next year when recommendations will be made.

The council has declined to provide extended comment but officers would argue the submissions were limited given the city’s population base.

Originally published as ‘Mafia’ of ‘secretive’ council and its ‘rude staff’ blasted in review