Probe delay indefinite
THE Board of Inquiry into Glenorchy City Council has been put on hold indefinitely.
Suspended Glenorchy aldermen were yesterday advised there was now “no clear time frame” for the inquiry’s conclusion.
Council general manager Peter Brooks has launched Supreme Court action against Board of Inquiry members Barry Easther and Lynn Mason in the Supreme Court.
The Mercury was unable to confirm the delay was caused by Mr Brooks’s action or whether other action was pending.
Mr Brooks declined to comment.
Mr Easther and Ms Mason also declined to comment.
It is not known when the proceedings might be heard by the court. But suspended aldermen were advised yesterday of the new legal challenge.
In an email sent by Mr Easther and Ms Mason to all 10 suspended aldermen, the board members said the lawsuit meant there was now no time frame for the conclusion of the long-running investigation into the council.
“We write to advise you that as a result of a further legal challenge the Board of Inquiry will be unable to finalise the report and submit it to the Minister for Planning and Local Government until the matter is resolved through the Supreme Court,” the email stated.
“The Board will provide you with an update on how it intends to proceed once the legal matter is settled. At this stage there is no clear time frame for its conclusion.”
The inquiry, which began in October, 2015, has been de- layed several times and previously went to the Supreme Court when suspended alderman Jenny Branch-Allen launched legal action last year, arguing that it was engaged in an unfair process.
Suspended Glenorchy mayor Kristie Johnston said only the community would suffer from another legal action.
“I’m extremely disappointed on behalf of the city of Glenorchy,” Ms Johnston said.
“The further delay and apparent legal action only hurts the city of Glenorchy and its people.”
The new proceedings would all but mean the board would be unable to provide its final report into the council to Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein before the aldermen’s suspension ends on August 8.
The bill for the inquiry, which will be borne by ratepayers, has reached $728,000.