Independent external auditor clears Wyong Council of corruption

A report by an independent external auditor into allegations of illegal dumping at the closed Gwandalan landfill site will recommend to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) that there was no corrupt conduct by Wyong Shire Council staff.

The investigation was conducted by Adams Consulting & Training following a resolution that was passed at the Council meeting on 28 May 2008 which directed Council to engage an external body to undertake a full investigation and inquiry of the Gwandalan landfill site and activities there over the last 20 years.

The report, which will be presented to next Wednesday night’s Council meeting, found that there had not been a cover-up by staff but features a number of recommendations which suggest changes to Council’s processes and culture in relation to the reporting of these types of matters.

Wyong Mayor, Warren Welham, said he was satisfied with the auditor’s findings and that Council would now look seriously at the recommendations contained in the report.

“The investigation looked at the actions of Council staff before, during and after Council became aware of illegal dumping at the closed Gwandalan landfill site,” Cllr Welham said.

“I am pleased that the auditor did not find evidence of corrupt conduct or a cover-up by staff.

“Council will now look at the other recommendations in the report and take appropriate action.”

The recommendations from Adams Consulting & Training’s investigation were:

• ICAC be advised that there is insufficient information to support a reasonable suspicion that there has been corrupt conduct
     
• Council engage external resources to ensure a cultural shift in respect to transparency and accountability in parts of Council
     
• Council address the culture or awareness of staff in positions to notice inappropriate activities so that they are encouraged to report breaches of the law to senior officers for appropriate action to be take
     
• Council undertake a review in order to clarify and confirm responsibilities for the management and control of properties to ensure appropriate accountability
    
• Consideration of process changes to expand the role of the Shire Planning Department to help ensure Council complies with environmental obligations and expectations
     
• Priorities be reviewed so that environmental investigations at closed landfill sites can be conducted
     
• That the level of support and encouragement for potential whistleblowers within Council be examined by Council’s Governance Committee
     
• The intention to continue the investigation and report on:

- The handling of environmental non-compliance matters to the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC);
- The process for reporting non-compliance matters to authorities;
- The conduct of internal investigations; and
- Improved mechanisms for the reporting of corruption or breaches of the Code of Conduct.

• Pursue possible Code of Conduct breaches by Council staff on a confidential basis.

“Council will now take the recommendations from the investigation and implement measures to ensure similar incidents do not occur in the future,” Councillor Welham said.

Media contact: Steve Norris (02) 4350 5191 or 0434 323 782

Page last updated: 18/07/2008