CCC DIPS ITS TOES IN
Corruption watchdog wades into lake controversy
THE state’s corruption watchdog has ordered an investigation into the controversial decision by Gold Coast City councillors to fill Black Swan Lake.
The Crime and Corruption Commission has directed the Local Government Director-General investigate the matter, including claims of conflict of interest.
The Gold Coast Turf Club yesterday confirmed it would start earthworks at the site this week.
QUEENSLAND’S corruption watchdog has ordered an investigation into the controversial decision by Gold Coast City councillors to fill Black Swan Lake.
The Gold Coast Turf Club yesterday confirmed it would start earthworks this week, having placed construction fencing around the 5.7ha catchment area in Gold Market Dr at Bundall. The club said it was compliant and could proceed with construction.
But the Crime and Corruption Commission has directed the Local Government Direc- tor-General investigate the matter, including claims of conflict of interest, and once concluded the CCC will review the findings.
Documents obtained by the Bulletin show the CCC in late September received a complaint about the conduct of councillors in the council’s decision, which enables the club and the Gold Coast Show Society to create horse training facilities and a car park.
The CCC was also alerted to an incident in which residents saw alleged poisoning of the lake “by unknown persons”.
In its response, the CCC wrote: “Essentially you have concerns that seven councillors are board members of the Gold Coast Turf Club and whilst they declared a real (or perceived) conflict of interest they still voted on issues pertaining to the Gold Coast Turf Club and the area known as Black Swan Lake.”
CCC investigators reviewed the relevant council minutes, the register of interests for councillors, and checked the Gold Coast Turf Club website and Local Government Act.
“Based on all the information available to it, the commission is of the view that a number of councillors may have a material personal interest in this matter,” the CCC wrote.
The Bulletin understands the complaint relates to nine of the city’s 15 elected representatives, and the CCC had raised “a further concern” about two of the councillors.
The CCC decided the best way to deal with the complaint was for the Director-General of the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning to deal with the allegations.
“The commission considers that it is appropriate in this circumstance for the Director-General, DILGP to take responsibility for dealing with your concerns regarding the councillors’ actions with respect to Black Swan Lake and their registers of interest,” the CCC wrote.
“The commission has directed that the DILGP investigate the matter.
“Due to the nature of the concerns, the CCC has also decided that the matter will be reviewed by the commission at the conclusion of the DILGP investigation,’’ the CCC wrote.
A city council spokesman yesterday said: “Council only became aware of the complaint last Friday and will provide assistance when required.”
Neither the complainant nor protest groups would comment on the investigation.
Residents yesterday launched a last-minute advertising campaign calling on Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe and Gold Coast federal MP Steve Ciobo to intervene to protect the lake.
Residents have claimed three laboratory tests showed the water in the man-made lake was not toxic to birds.