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Precinct Probity Audit results delayed outlook for council property dealings reported not good |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 29 September 2005 |
A
probity audit into Caloundra City Council's actions regarding land
purchases for the proposed Maleny Precinct Project has finally been
completed. But the report which cost rate payers about $200,000 and
delayed precinct proceedings by 14 months, is unlikely to be made
available to the public anytime soon.
Moreover, whilst we wait for
the contents of the 200-page document to be made available in the
public domain, when the findings are published preliminary indications
suggest it isn't great news for CCC. On Monday September 19 a
specially set-up Probity Audit Committee consisting of Cr Dick Newman,
Cr Anna Grosskreutz, Deputy Mayor Gordon Wallace, Mayor Don Aldous and
CCC Chief Executive Officer Garry Storch, were presented with the
report by the its authors, accounting firm KPMG.
Eight days later
the committee convened again with CCC's other seven councillors to
debate the findings. But after council picked through the lengthy
report, it's come up with enough questions to keep the auditors busy
for another fortnight. "Because of the wide spread criticism and
allegations regarding the purchase of land the council audit committee
decided on a strict audit process," said Maleny's Cr Newman. "The
upshot of the (Tuesday September 27) meeting is that council has raised
a number of questions for the auditors and they need time to consider
those questions the meeting has been adjourned for two weeks and
everything will remain confidential."
Of further concern once
council has digested the auditors answers is that CCC Deputy Mayor
Gordon Wallace hinted earlier that council could even reject the report
in its entirety and the findings may never make the public domain. This
is unlikely however, given the costs involved and that public outcry
would follow.
The probity audit was called for by Cr Newman, who
commented earlier this week that council hadn't come out smelling of
roses ... but that's about as far as (he) can go at this stage. Plans
for Maleny's proposed 18-hole golf course, complete with clubhouse,
village green, 190 home subdivisions, community swimming pool,
gymnasium, theatre, meeting hall and shopping precinct on land
northeast of Bunya Street were stalled in August last year.
This
followed concerns over boundary realignments and property dealings
pertaining to the $2.7 million council buyout of the Porter and
Armstrong farms by CCC. Cr Newman said he believed that the
community needed to be comfortable with proceedings and has always
backed the audit against cries from other interested parties on the
Maleny Precinct Task Force. Some members of the Task Force were
frustrated by the delay the probity audit would cause given the
project's momentum and branded the report a "recycled witch hunt" at
its inception.
Meanwhile, Cr Grosskreutz rallied behind the need for the report despite the delays.
"I
believe the findings will give those who have been critical of both
myself and the council for calling for an audit and CMC enquiry food
for thought,? she said. ?It is a pity that those who sought to halt the
audit were choosing to play divisive politics instead of focussing on
due, accountable and transparent process by the council."
Both Cr Grosskreutz and Cr Newman are very keen that the report should go public. "You can't spend $200,000 of public money and not release the report," she said earlier this week.
Once
the probity process is finalised and results ratified by council and
made public, Mayor Aldous has previously indicated in a communique to
Maleny Precinct Task Force Member Dr Max Whitten that the Task Force
would be reconvened and proceedings for the precinct project moved
forward appropriately.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 15 September 2006 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
