By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Casey chief executive Glenn Patterson makes no apologies for the past as he tries to navigate his council’s post-IBAC future.
With all 11 councillors sacked and the council under administration, Mr Patterson told Star News he wanted to ensure the community still had a “voice” in local civic matters.
But there was no ‘sorry’ to the community for damning revelations aired during the Operation Sandon anti-corruption inquiry.
““It relates really to some councillors and some external parties,” Mr Patterson said.
“It’s clear that there’s no current or past officers of the council that are subject to any sort of allegations in relation to the matters being discussed and aired at IBAC.”
Under questioning from IBAC, Mr Patterson told of reporting a conversation of former mayor Sam Aziz to the inquiry due to “serious” corruption concerns.
He also defended his inaction after council staff queried ex-mayor Geoff Ablett’s “close” relationship to developer John Woodman.
There was a gap between a “hunch” and the “significant” threshold for reporting alleged impropriety to IBAC, the State Ombudsman or the Local Government Inspectorate, Mr Patterson said.
“They are all talking about allegations and reported relationships.
“What still wasn’t evident was sufficient evidence to make an official notification.”
Mr Patterson also listed initiatives to engage the community.
Interim administrator Noelene Duff, who has replaced the councillors, will be contactable online through the council’s Casey Conversations portal.
Planning applicants and objectors will also be given the chance to present to Ms Duff and senior council planners.
Council staff have been instructed to “step up” and be “open and engaging” to the public, Mr Patterson said.
“The message to the community is rather than working through the councillors is working through council officers.”
Mr Patterson also suggested reforms to political donations, conflict-of-interest rules and the planning sector.
IBAC has been investigating alleged corrupt dealings between property developer John Woodman and Casey councillors.
Mr Aziz and Mr Ablett are alleged to have been paid $1.2 million by Mr Woodman while championing the developer’s planning applications.
