- Auburn Council sacked by State Government following allegations of improper conduct
- By Warren Thomson
- 10/02/2016 Make a Comment
- Contributed by: Jonesy ( 2 articles in 2016 )
Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer is already serving a suspension due to failing to declare a pecuniary interest.
AUBURN Council will be sacked today and an administrator appointed due to serious concerns some councillors were misusing their position.
The Parramatta Advertiser has learned Local Government Minister Paul Toole will inform the council of its fate this morning after considering a submission from the council last week.
The council’s disciplinary action will be followed by a public inquiry examining serious allegations of improper conduct, amid claims that some councillors made fortunes by rezoning their own land and developments, which became legal under new local government laws in 2012.
A council report tabled at an emergency meeting on January 27 said Mr Toole wanted the councillors stood down so that no planning decisions could be made during the investigation.
It also said Mr Toole had concerns that councillors still having access to council staff and records may “frustrate” the public inquiry.
Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer, who attracted attention to himself and the Auburn Council when his wedding shut down a street in Lidcombe in August, is currently involved in a Supreme Court matter where he is trying to remove a four-month suspension imposed on him by the NSW Civic and Administrative Tribunal.
Cr Mehajer was suspended for four months by NCAT for failing to declare a pecuniary interest.
Auburn councillor Irene Simms said she was “shattered” by the decision but hoped the inquiry would help restore people’s faith in the council.
Cr Simms said the community would likely support the action.
“Lots of people have wanted an investigation, and have wanted Salim Mehajer to go for a long time. But it’s not just about Salim, it’s about the council in general,” she said.
In a poll run by the Advertiser, half of 424 respondents supported the council sacking, while 43 per cent said only Cr Mehajer should be shown the door. Seven per cent said the council should remain in place.
The Parramatta Advertiser has learned Local Government Minister Paul Toole will inform the council of its fate this morning after considering a submission from the council last week.
The council’s disciplinary action will be followed by a public inquiry examining serious allegations of improper conduct, amid claims that some councillors made fortunes by rezoning their own land and developments, which became legal under new local government laws in 2012.
A council report tabled at an emergency meeting on January 27 said Mr Toole wanted the councillors stood down so that no planning decisions could be made during the investigation.
It also said Mr Toole had concerns that councillors still having access to council staff and records may “frustrate” the public inquiry.
Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer, who attracted attention to himself and the Auburn Council when his wedding shut down a street in Lidcombe in August, is currently involved in a Supreme Court matter where he is trying to remove a four-month suspension imposed on him by the NSW Civic and Administrative Tribunal.
Cr Mehajer was suspended for four months by NCAT for failing to declare a pecuniary interest.
Auburn councillor Irene Simms said she was “shattered” by the decision but hoped the inquiry would help restore people’s faith in the council.
Cr Simms said the community would likely support the action.
“Lots of people have wanted an investigation, and have wanted Salim Mehajer to go for a long time. But it’s not just about Salim, it’s about the council in general,” she said.
In a poll run by the Advertiser, half of 424 respondents supported the council sacking, while 43 per cent said only Cr Mehajer should be shown the door. Seven per cent said the council should remain in place.
Source: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/auburn-council-sacked-by-state-government-following-allegations-of-improper-conduct/news-story/cf5d0af831b43b5ebc97890ed6fc147b#load-story-comment
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