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Council votes to screen Precinct Probity Report |
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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 28 November 2005 |
Caloundra City Council has opted not to publish the findings of a
$200,000 probity report into dealings behind the purchase of the Porter
property for the Maleny Community Precinct Project. Maleny's Division
One Councillor Dick Newman together with Crs Grosskreutz, Wallace and
Cristaudo voted for the report's release. But they were defeated in
chambers by votes from Mayor Don Aldous and Crs Winkler, O'Kearney,
Smith, Singh and Dwyer. Cr Champion was absent.
Instead Council has agreed to release the Maleny Community Precinct Probity Audit report under the Freedom of Information Act only. This was after lawyers Allens Arthur Robinson advised that to do otherwise could have legal ramifications for ratepayers.
"The probity audit report and the Chief Executive Officer's response both contain sensitive information that, if released publicly, could impact on this community's financial and commercial interests in relation to this issue. Releasing these reports under FOI protects these interests," Council Mayor Don Aldous said in a statement.
"However, this does not mean that Council will not take on board one of the major reason's this audit was undertaken the need to ensure that Council processes are very clear, are transparent and fully comply with legislation and our own policies." Given the amount of rate payer's money Council has spent on the document, produced by accounting firm KPMG, it's a controversial move and a blow to all interested parties who wanted a definitive answer regarding Council's business dealings.
The Mayor said Council's decision to release the report only under FOI may be seen by some members of the community as Council restricting access to the information. However, he says the decision was made to protect Council's, and ultimately the ratepayers', interests.
"While the KPMG report did not identify any evidence or suggestion of any criminal or other serious offence, it did identify relatively minor breaches of legislation," he said. "These breaches are being addressed with the relevant State Government authorities."
Meanwhile an article on the November 18 cover of the Sunshine Coast Daily, although largely unsubstantiated, suggested that the findings of the report were that Council undertook a project that it had neither the expertise nor experience to handle. It said KPMG's findings questioned whether councilors read and understood reports, particularly financial details and that's a view Maleny's councillor Dick Newman agrees with.
"If they've used that language in the article, I'd have to say that paper has possibly obtained a copy of the report," said Cr Newman. "And I'd have to agree with that interpretation." Council has conceded that the probity report highlighted that Council?s processes in projects of this nature need to be clearly documented and adhered to.
"This report has given Council a very clear way forward for projects of this nature," said Cr Aldous. "Our residents have an expectation that certain community facilities should be made available at little or no cost to ratepayers." "To do this, the need for public/private partnerships will continue to increase in importance."
"Anything can go ahead though it would have been smarter to try to clear the dcecks and get a level platform," said Cr Newman. "But the Maleny Precinct is no longer on hold."
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 03 September 2006 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
