Regional councils spark most complaints

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Regional councils are the most complained about in WA, with Shark Bay, Busselton and York sparking 63 investigations between them by the Department of Local Government in the past year.

Information provided to The West Australian under freedom of information reveals that the Shire of Shark Bay, which is the subject of an inquiry by the department, topped the list with 31 complaints.

Of those, five were upheld on matters relating to the actions of elected members and employees.

Busselton Shire Council, which has been in the spotlight over the Smiths Beach development, triggered 19 investigations by the department over allegations of improper use of information to gain advantage or cause detriment, securing personal disadvantage and relations with local government employees. However, none was related to Smiths Beach.

Six of the complaints have yet to be settled, while the shire got one warning and advice on three occasions.

The Shire of York recorded three black marks from 13 complaints, mainly against breaches of financial disclosures.

Gosnells and Cambridge attracted 13 complaints each. Of these, the department upheld three for Cambridge and six for Gosnells, including a referral to another agency.

BEATRICE THOMAS


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