SKINNY DIP SCANDAL

Cassowary Coast Council pair stood down over cheeky swim

A SENIOR executive of a Far Northern council is in hot water after allegedly taking a female coworker for a skinny dip on restricted council property during work hours.

Cassowary Coast Regional Council’s executive manager, Bill Davis (right), has been suspended after an incident took place at the council’s Bulgun Creek intake near Tully on Monday.

The Cairns Post understands a female employee, who accompanied Mr Davis for the afternoon swimming session, has also been stood down after the duo were witnessed putting their clothes back on after their dip in a restricted area by two council employees at the site.

The Bulgun Creek intake supplies water for the towns of Feluga, South Mission Beach and Wongaling Beach.

The area is off-limits to unauthorised people to protect the communities’ water supply.

The council yesterday would only confirm that two of its officers had been stood down

The council said the employees had been stood down in accordance with provisions of the Local Government Act.

“Pending further investigation, it is therefore inappropriate for council to comment at this time as to the circumstances surrounding this decision,” a council spokesman said.

A source said council staff were bemused by the incident, questioning why the pair had decided to go swimming in a restricted area, let alone during work time.

An email sent to staff by chief executive James Gott on Thursday, states that he “received information regarding two officers of council” which he decided required investigation.

“To protect all staff members concerned with that investigation, and in the interests of procedural fairness and natural justice and to ensure that the investigation is in no way compromised, it is important that no gossip occurs,” Mr Gott wrote.

Mr Davis was controversially appointed to the position of executive manager after being originally hired as a consultant to the council last year.

In July, the Cairns Post reported that he had recommended creating the role and then helped write the position description. It has not been suggested that Mr Davis was not qualified for the position.

Mr Davis did not respond to a request for comment yesterday.