Toowoomba councillor Bill Cahill makes public apology due to failed disclosure of conflict of interest over Highfields land buy

A longstanding Toowoomba councillor has apologised publicly after a tribunal found he engaged in ‘misconduct’ after failing to disclose a conflict of interest in relation to a council land purchase.

A Toowoomba councillor has made a public apology after a local government tribunal determined he had engaged in misconduct over a council decision more than five years ago.

Stalwart elected official Bill Cahill made the admission at Tuesday’s ordinary meeting, following a lengthy investigation process by the Councillor Conduct Tribunal.

The decision, which was handed down by the CCT last month, related to Mr Cahill’s participation in a councillor discussion in September 2017 on whether to purchase a large parcel of land in Highfields to create a new town centre.

Mr Cahill’s house was located 320m from the land in question.

Bill Cahill. Photo Bev Lacey

The tribunal determined that “on the balance of probabilities”, Mr Cahill had engaged in misconduct by failing to disclose this at the meeting.

“Mr and Mrs Cahill are likely to gain a benefit from the growth and development of the Highfields town centre, including improved road development, additional retail activities and vegetation reserves,” the decision said.

“The councillor was obliged to declare his personal interest in this agenda item at the council meeting in a ‘transparent and accountable way’.

“The evidence provided to the tribunal and accepted by the councillor established that this declaration was not provided and the councillor participated and voted for the resolution to purchase the land.”

The tribunal, which noted Mr Cahill had an unblemished record over nearly 20 years as a councillor, ordered him to make a public apology.

MASTER DESIGNS: Concept art of what the future Highfields CBD will look like, after the master plan was endorsed by the council. The land was purchased in 2017 by the council.

Mr Cahill told the chamber his failure to deal with the conflict of interest was “unintended”, noting the two year process had been taxing on himself and his family.

“I inadvertently failed to deal with a real or perceived conflict of interest, arising out of the factually complex matter, in a transparent and accountable way,” he said.

“The investigation process and duration over which it has endured has taken a toll on me and my family members, particularly my wife.

“I have learned from that unintended omission five years ago and have subsequently participated in training regarding their new conflict of interest provisions introduced.

“I wish to put this matter behind me and won’t be making any further comment on this topic.

“I am proud of the many things I’ve achieved and contributed to on behalf of council in my 19 years as a councillor.”