Central Coast Council has confirmed that it, and the former Gosford Council, have been referred to the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
The referral has been made by the NSW Shadow Minister for the Environment, Ms Penny Sharpe, following the damning allegations made in the ABC 4 Corners report on Monday, August 7, in relation to the mismanagement of a landfi ll at Mangrove Mountain and illegal dumping at Spencer. Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, Mr David Harris, said Gosford Council had originally referred itself to ICAC via then CEO, Mr Paul Anderson. “Now Penny Sharpe has referred Gosford Council and Central Coast Council to ICAC,” Mr Harris said.
“Given what was exposed by 4 Corners, the Central Coast people deserve to have a thorough investigation into what was Council’s role in it, whether they be individuals or the organisation,” Mr Harris said. “People are up in arms that their water supply could have been put at risk,” he said. In a written statement, Central Coast Council said: “Council is aware of reports that the NSW Opposition has reported the former Gosford Council to ICAC, as a result of a program aired on ABC TV. “Council is already undertaking its own internal review of the former Gosford Council files and records. “Council will cooperate fully should ICAC launch an investigation. “Because the matters have now been referred to ICAC Council will be making very limited comment from this time onwards,” the statement said.
Source: Interview, Aug 10 Central Coast Council media Interview, Aug 10 David Harris, Shadow Minister for the Central Coast Media statement, Aug 10 Central Coast Council media Jackie Pearson, journalist