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Palmers Road Enquiry CompletedThe long awaited Auditor-General’s Report into the attempted sale by Council of land and buildings at 55 Palmers Road, Lakes Entrance, was tabled in State Parliament today. By East Gippsland Shire Council - 20th July 2005 - Back to News The report follows an investigation into the matter that was initiated by the East Gippsland Shire’s Audit Committee, supported by Council and took more than 12 months to complete.
It deals with the attempts made between 1997 and 2002 by previous Councils to sell the Palmers Road property and which culminated in Supreme Court action being taken to stop the sale.
The Shire reached a settlement of the matter in October 2003.
In his report the Auditor General highlights a number of deficiencies in the handling of the attempted sale and offers suggestions that could be taken up by local government generally.
Shire CEO Steve Kozlowski said the Auditor General has wide-ranging powers of investigation as well as the ability to refer any matter to other agencies where warranted.
"However, in this case the Auditor General has `made no such recommendation," he said.
"The enquiry was quite complicated and involved the research of documentation dating back to the late 1990’s as well as interviews with people who are no longer connected with the Shire. "
Mr Kozlowski said on the basis that all those involved with the inquiry have had reasonable opportunity to provide information and clarify issues raised by the Auditor General, the Shire has accepted the factual correctness made in the report as well as its findings and conclusions.
"Several of the points made in the Auditor General’s report are lessons to be learned for local government generally," he said.
Mr Kozlowski said the Auditor General has also recommended to Parliament that the current state government policy and instructions for the purchase, compulsory acquisition and sale of land be applied to local government.
"The Shire would welcome the opportunity for this to be discussed with local government on a state-wide basis," he said.
Mayor Cr Jane Rowe said it had been a full and independent investigation that identified what happened and what could be done to avoid such issues in the future.
"It is important to note that the recommendations suggested by the Auditor General have already been implemented by this Council.
"The report now ‘clears the air’ in relation to the Palmers Road issue and paves the way for the Council and the community to move forward.
"Having recently decided to retain the site in public ownership, Council is now looking forward to the land and building being utilised for the benefit of the community into the future."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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