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City of Wanneroo hires independent investigator to look at corruption allegations

Lucy JarvisNorth Coast Times

THE City of Wanneroo has hired KPMG to undertake an independent investigation of corruption allegations raised by a Yanchep property owner.

Councillors considered a confidential report at their June 28 meeting on ‘dealing with a vexatious complainant’ and the majority agreed to note that the City considers allegations of corruption and misconduct serious.

They also noted that “false, frivolous, unsubstantiated and/or vexatious allegations” were serious matters that would be addressed through the compliments, feedback and complaints policy in line with the Ombudsman of WA’s criteria for assessing “unreasonable complainant conduct”.

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They declared the property owner was an “unreasonable complainant” and noted doing so would not compromise the function of the City’s regulatory and approval processes in relation to his property.

The council approved implementing procedures in the confidential report to manage the complainants “unreasonable conduct”.

Twelve of the 13 elected members present supported the motion and one voted against it.

The Weekender understands the complainant has lodged building applications with the City for a house in Yanchep but has not yet gained approval related to the proposed location of septic tanks on the property.

A response to written questions tabled at last month’s meeting said the investigation to date had been “extremely thorough” and examined all the City’s records.

It said the complainant had declined several invitations to be interviewed unless it took place at his home.

The complainant asked why the investigators were not willing to interview him at his home, and received a response that “the KPMG team is of the firm view that this is not appropriate”.