Email leak probe underway

THE agency responsible for integrity within local government is undertaking an investigation concerning South Gippsland Shire Council.
The Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate is probing the leaking to the public of an email from council CEO Tim Tamlin to councillors.
The email concerned delays in council meeting a Supreme Court order to investigate noise complaints by neighbours of Bald Hills Wind Farm, Tarwin Lower.
The inspectorate investigates offences under the Local Government Act 1989 and monitors governance in Victorian councils.
The Star is aware the inspectorate is seeking to learn who leaked the email to the wind farm neighbours embroiled in a legal dispute with council over their dissatisfaction with how council handled their noise complaints.
Mr Tamlin will address the Supreme Court on March 20 about council’s actions in complying with a court order in August 2017 to investigate the noise complaints.
Council has also defended its choice of consultancy James C. Smith and Associates to investigate the noise complaints.
A document given to The Star shows the principal James Smith has a specific interest in food safety regulatory policies, health administration and ethical environmental health practice. Mr Tamlin said James C. Smith and Associates were chosen by council’s lawyers because they are highly experienced independent public health consultants.
“Any investigation will not commence until after the council resolution. The investigator’s task is to consider: whether a nuisance exists as notified by the plaintiffs in accordance with the law under s 62 of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (Vic) in accordance with the order which includes the nuisance as notified by the plaintiffs,” he said.
South Gippsland Action Group representatives attempted to discuss the wind farm with council at last Wednesday’s public presentation session, but council officers did not allow them to present.
Group treasurer Gus Blaauw said council had treated wind farm neighbours “poorly, with staff making a childish attempt to satisfy them” by telling the neighbours to use freedom of information to seek answers.

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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Feb 27 2018. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry