The City of Casey has welcomed the release of the Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) Operation Sandon report released today and will continue to work with IBAC, the Victorian Government and other relevant agencies to strengthen integrity in Council decision making and promote transparency.
The report makes 34 recommendations regarding the State’s planning processes designed to promote transparency in decision making, enhance donation and lobbying regulation and strengthen Council governance.
As part of IBAC’s Operation Sandon, a detailed and thorough investigation occurred at the City of Casey into former Councillor behaviour from many years ago. Those Councillors were dismissed by the Victorian Government on 19 February 2020 and a Panel of Administrators appointed until the next election in 2024.
Operation Sandon focused on very specific planning and developer matters and highlighted alleged impropriety and conflicts of interest by former Councillors, not Council officers. At no time has the conduct or professionalism of Council officers been called into question.
Since the dismissal of Councillors, and in line with the Casey Municipal Monitor’s report from February 2020, Council has been focused on delivering reforms that uphold integrity and transparency through clear, contemporary policies and decision-making.
City of Casey Chair of Administrators, Noelene Duff PSM said the City of Casey has been proactively engaging with IBAC since the investigation began.
A great deal of work has already occurred to reform Council’s processes and to ensure clarity around responsibilities and decision making, including in planning matters.
Ms Duff said this work would continue to ensure Council fulfilled its obligations for the benefit of the Casey community.
“Throughout the investigation and since the Panel of Administrators was appointed, our focus has continued to be on delivering services and infrastructure for the benefit of the Casey community and there has been no impact on day-to-day service delivery to ratepayers,” Ms Duff said.
“We have also undertaken reviews of historical decisions and, where necessary, have retracted decisions, with a focus on cancelling inappropriate funding agreements and rescinding non-value adding international arrangements.
“Council has been delivering on the reform recommendations set out in the Municipal Monitor’s Report and is committed to undertaking any additional work necessary towards improving Governance at Casey, in line with the IBAC recommendations.”
Some of the measures already undertaken by Council include:
- reviewing governance and integrity systems at the City of Casey
- setting out a clear governance audit and action plan
- endorsing a new protocol and policy for Councillors and their role in land-use planning
- developing a new policy to guide strategic planning scheme amendment requests from proponents/developers
- reviewed delegations to ensure they are appropriate
- embedding conflict of interest obligations.
In April 2021, Council also launched a new annual Community Leadership Program to provide free training for new, emerging and existing community leaders in Casey who want to build their leadership skills, learn about community engagement and local government, and to become leaders within the community. This initiative was developed in line with a recommendation from the Municipal Monitor’s report and we are now in our third round of this highly successful program.
In line with the Local Government (Casey City Council 2020) Act, the Panel of Administrators will remain at the City of Casey until elections are held in October 2024.
Council’s formal response to the report and recommendations will be tabled at a future Council meeting.
Council will not be making any comment on behalf of former Councillors.
