Resident warned Iemma

In February 2007 a Bulli resident sent an impassioned plea to NSW Premier Morris Iemma outlining her fears of systemic corruption within the higher ranks of Wollongong City Council.

Now, 12 months on, many of those concerns are being played out as part of the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s inquiry into the local council’s dealings.

Included in the original email, sent by Sandon Point activist Jill Walker, were claims concerning the conduct of the now embattled former Wollongong City Council officer Joe Scimone.

Confirmation by Mr Iemma’s office that Ms Walker’s email was received by the Premier establish that Mr Iemma was aware of claims against Mr Scimone that pre-date his appointment to a $200,000 a year job within the department headed by Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi in January of this year.

In her February 22, 2007 email to Mr Iemma, Ms Walker wrote that the then General Manager, Rod Oxley, was exercising “total control” over planning decisions and “acting beyond his powers.”

As part of the current ICAC inquiry, it was heard on Friday that at least three senior planners with Wollongong City Council, including two former planning directors, had expressed concern over Mr Oxley’s interference.

Ms Walker, unsurprisingly, is not shocked by the controversy that has emerged from the ICAC inquiry.

Nor, it seems, are many others throughout the local community.

Coledale resident Bruce Reyburn said the community’s faith in democracy at the local level has been steadily eroded.

“None of it is surprising – it just confirms the thoughts that local people have had for a long time,” Mr Reyburn said.

“We have known that under the previous general manager it was a case of developers being put first, the community coming second.

“Under Rod Oxley, community consultation was left to rot on the vine.

“What has been in place is what I call a Community Disengagement Policy – the old forms of organisation are invariably corrupted, just like old iron rusts.”

A spokesperson for Mr Iemma said that Ms Walker’s 2007 email was responded to on March 8, before being referred to the Local Government Minister “for his consideration.”