Public to be briefed on details of independent Newcastle council probe
RESIDENTS will get their first look at findings from a City of Newcastle review tonight.
A public briefing is being held on the independent inquiry into the council's policies, procedures, and processes which was designed to restore public trust and confidence in the council.
The review was a key pillar of Independent lord mayor Cr Ross Kerridge's election campaign, which promised a "thorough, forensic investigation into the Scott Neylon/Jeremy Bath/Jason Sivo letters saga" which has beleaguered the council and community since the Newcastle Herald launched its investigation into the letter to the editor writing campaign over a year ago.
A City of Newcastle (CN) code of conduct investigation carried out by external consultant Pinnacle Integrity found there was "insufficient evidence" that Mr Bath was involved in a misleading letter-writing campaign under his best mate Scott Neylon's name, or that he passed confidential information to his friend of 25 years, who has lived in Japan for decades.
Only one of 19 letters submitted to the Herald over nine years was examined and the investigation process drew wide criticism from the community.
Three months into the job and with no review yet pitched from Cr Kerridge, Liberal deputy lord mayor Callum Pull put forward his own motion in December 2024 calling for an independent probe into the council's policies, processes and procedures.
Despite Cr Kerridge's attempt to postpone the decision until after the Christmas break, councillors forged ahead after arguing the continued threat of an investigation would be bad for staff morale and the council's reputation.
The first public indication that Davidson had been approached about the review was in an "executive comment" report provided to councillors alongside Cr Pull's motion.
The report said Davidson had been approached to understand the cost of a proposed independent review.
Davidson was already involved with City of Newcastle, undertaking a benchmarking exercise to see how Newcastle council stacked up against other similar sized councils in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
The exercise was designed to look at how Newcastle council compared when it came to debt, grant revenue and procurement, including value for money.
The executive report provided to councillors said that "familiarity" ensured a discounted total cost if Davidson undertook the review.
The report said Davidson predicted the review would take eight weeks, starting January, and cost in the vicinity of $70,000 plus travel costs.
"A $20,000 discount to this quote has been offered on the basis of the existing analysis of CN already undertaken as part of the benchmarking process," the report said.
The review is being undertaken by Davidson Business Advisory, a consulting firm that is already undertaking a benchmarking exercise of the council's expenditure and operational performance.
The Herald understands former Brisbane Council chief executive Colin Jensen, and former Melbourne City Council chief executive Justin Hanney are at the helm of the review.
RESIDENTS will get their first look at findings from a City of Newcastle review tonight.
A public briefing is being held on the independent inquiry into the council's policies, procedures, and processes which was designed to restore public trust and confidence in the council.
The review was a key pillar of Independent lord mayor Cr Ross Kerridge's election campaign, which promised a "thorough, forensic investigation into the Scott Neylon/Jeremy Bath/Jason Sivo letters saga" which has beleaguered the council and community since the Newcastle Herald launched its investigation into the letter to the editor writing campaign over a year ago.
A City of Newcastle (CN) code of conduct investigation carried out by external consultant Pinnacle Integrity found there was "insufficient evidence" that Mr Bath was involved in a misleading letter-writing campaign under his best mate Scott Neylon's name, or that he passed confidential information to his friend of 25 years, who has lived in Japan for decades.
Only one of 19 letters submitted to the Herald over nine years was examined and the investigation process drew wide criticism from the community.
Three months into the job and with no review yet pitched from Cr Kerridge, Liberal deputy lord mayor Callum Pull put forward his own motion in December 2024 calling for an independent probe into the council's policies, processes and procedures.
Despite Cr Kerridge's attempt to postpone the decision until after the Christmas break, councillors forged ahead after arguing the continued threat of an investigation would be bad for staff morale and the council's reputation.
The first public indication that Davidson had been approached about the review was in an "executive comment" report provided to councillors alongside Cr Pull's motion.
The report said Davidson had been approached to understand the cost of a proposed independent review.
Davidson was already involved with City of Newcastle, undertaking a benchmarking exercise to see how Newcastle council stacked up against other similar sized councils in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
The exercise was designed to look at how Newcastle council compared when it came to debt, grant revenue and procurement, including value for money.
The executive report provided to councillors said that "familiarity" ensured a discounted total cost if Davidson undertook the review.
The report said Davidson predicted the review would take eight weeks, starting January, and cost in the vicinity of $70,000 plus travel costs.
"A $20,000 discount to this quote has been offered on the basis of the existing analysis of CN already undertaken as part of the benchmarking process," the report said.
The review is being undertaken by Davidson Business Advisory, a consulting firm that is already undertaking a benchmarking exercise of the council's expenditure and operational performance.
The Herald understands former Brisbane Council chief executive Colin Jensen, and former Melbourne City Council chief executive Justin Hanney are at the helm of the review.
RESIDENTS will get their first look at findings from a City of Newcastle review tonight.
A public briefing is being held on the independent inquiry into the council's policies, procedures, and processes which was designed to restore public trust and confidence in the council.
The review was a key pillar of Independent lord mayor Cr Ross Kerridge's election campaign, which promised a "thorough, forensic investigation into the Scott Neylon/Jeremy Bath/Jason Sivo letters saga" which has beleaguered the council and community since the Newcastle Herald launched its investigation into the letter to the editor writing campaign over a year ago.
A City of Newcastle (CN) code of conduct investigation carried out by external consultant Pinnacle Integrity found there was "insufficient evidence" that Mr Bath was involved in a misleading letter-writing campaign under his best mate Scott Neylon's name, or that he passed confidential information to his friend of 25 years, who has lived in Japan for decades.
Only one of 19 letters submitted to the Herald over nine years was examined and the investigation process drew wide criticism from the community.
Three months into the job and with no review yet pitched from Cr Kerridge, Liberal deputy lord mayor Callum Pull put forward his own motion in December 2024 calling for an independent probe into the council's policies, processes and procedures.
Despite Cr Kerridge's attempt to postpone the decision until after the Christmas break, councillors forged ahead after arguing the continued threat of an investigation would be bad for staff morale and the council's reputation.
The first public indication that Davidson had been approached about the review was in an "executive comment" report provided to councillors alongside Cr Pull's motion.
The report said Davidson had been approached to understand the cost of a proposed independent review.
Davidson was already involved with City of Newcastle, undertaking a benchmarking exercise to see how Newcastle council stacked up against other similar sized councils in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
The exercise was designed to look at how Newcastle council compared when it came to debt, grant revenue and procurement, including value for money.
The executive report provided to councillors said that "familiarity" ensured a discounted total cost if Davidson undertook the review.
The report said Davidson predicted the review would take eight weeks, starting January, and cost in the vicinity of $70,000 plus travel costs.
"A $20,000 discount to this quote has been offered on the basis of the existing analysis of CN already undertaken as part of the benchmarking process," the report said.
The review is being undertaken by Davidson Business Advisory, a consulting firm that is already undertaking a benchmarking exercise of the council's expenditure and operational performance.
The Herald understands former Brisbane Council chief executive Colin Jensen, and former Melbourne City Council chief executive Justin Hanney are at the helm of the review.
RESIDENTS will get their first look at findings from a City of Newcastle review tonight.
A public briefing is being held on the independent inquiry into the council's policies, procedures, and processes which was designed to restore public trust and confidence in the council.
The review was a key pillar of Independent lord mayor Cr Ross Kerridge's election campaign, which promised a "thorough, forensic investigation into the Scott Neylon/Jeremy Bath/Jason Sivo letters saga" which has beleaguered the council and community since the Newcastle Herald launched its investigation into the letter to the editor writing campaign over a year ago.
A City of Newcastle (CN) code of conduct investigation carried out by external consultant Pinnacle Integrity found there was "insufficient evidence" that Mr Bath was involved in a misleading letter-writing campaign under his best mate Scott Neylon's name, or that he passed confidential information to his friend of 25 years, who has lived in Japan for decades.
Only one of 19 letters submitted to the Herald over nine years was examined and the investigation process drew wide criticism from the community.
Three months into the job and with no review yet pitched from Cr Kerridge, Liberal deputy lord mayor Callum Pull put forward his own motion in December 2024 calling for an independent probe into the council's policies, processes and procedures.
Despite Cr Kerridge's attempt to postpone the decision until after the Christmas break, councillors forged ahead after arguing the continued threat of an investigation would be bad for staff morale and the council's reputation.
The first public indication that Davidson had been approached about the review was in an "executive comment" report provided to councillors alongside Cr Pull's motion.
The report said Davidson had been approached to understand the cost of a proposed independent review.
Davidson was already involved with City of Newcastle, undertaking a benchmarking exercise to see how Newcastle council stacked up against other similar sized councils in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
The exercise was designed to look at how Newcastle council compared when it came to debt, grant revenue and procurement, including value for money.
The executive report provided to councillors said that "familiarity" ensured a discounted total cost if Davidson undertook the review.
The report said Davidson predicted the review would take eight weeks, starting January, and cost in the vicinity of $70,000 plus travel costs.
"A $20,000 discount to this quote has been offered on the basis of the existing analysis of CN already undertaken as part of the benchmarking process," the report said.
The review is being undertaken by Davidson Business Advisory, a consulting firm that is already undertaking a benchmarking exercise of the council's expenditure and operational performance.
The Herald understands former Brisbane Council chief executive Colin Jensen, and former Melbourne City Council chief executive Justin Hanney are at the helm of the review.
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The future of one of the most contentious parcels of land in the Lower Hunter is expected to be determined by the end of the month. The Department of Planning confirmed it is in the final stages of assessing a planning proposal to build 180 homes at 505 Minmi Road, Fletcher. The 26-hectare site has been the subject of a 23-year battle between the site's owner, Peter Durbin, and the local residents' group, Green Corridor Coalition, which has been lobbying to have the land used as a biodiversity corridor. Under a plan put forward by Mr Durbin, housing would be built on half of the site, and the other half would be dedicated to biodiversity. He recently told the Newcastle Herald the plan would complement the state government's efforts to build more homes. City of Newcastle has rejected numerous proposals to develop the site and recommended the state government purchase it for use as a green corridor. 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"A one-sided Hunter & Central Coast Regional Planning Panel briefing in 2022 resulted in 505 Minmi Road's special land category being changed in the new Hunter Regional Plan 2041 to a Housing Release Area. All reference to the regional park corridor was removed from the Gateway planning proposal, and the site was then put on Public Exhibition with these changes included," he said. The project suffered a major setback last year when the NSW Environment Protection Authority raised concerns about the impact of odours, gases and air emissions generated from the Summerhill Waste Management Centre. Even though the houses in the proposed development would be further from the waste cell than some existing homes, the proponent was requested to conduct a 12-month study into how 505 Minmi Rd could be affected. A Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure spokesman said the department was undertaking a final assessment of the 505 Minmi Road, Fletcher planning proposal, and consulting with government agencies to consider issues that have been raised, including biodiversity, bushfire risks, and land contamination. "The assessment will inform a finalisation report that responds to submissions made by the community, City of Newcastle, and State agencies," he said. The future of one of the most contentious parcels of land in the Lower Hunter is expected to be determined by the end of the month. The Department of Planning confirmed it is in the final stages of assessing a planning proposal to build 180 homes at 505 Minmi Road, Fletcher. The 26-hectare site has been the subject of a 23-year battle between the site's owner, Peter Durbin, and the local residents' group, Green Corridor Coalition, which has been lobbying to have the land used as a biodiversity corridor. Under a plan put forward by Mr Durbin, housing would be built on half of the site, and the other half would be dedicated to biodiversity. He recently told the Newcastle Herald the plan would complement the state government's efforts to build more homes. City of Newcastle has rejected numerous proposals to develop the site and recommended the state government purchase it for use as a green corridor. But an Independent Planning Commission review found the project had strategic merit as it would provide additional housing to the Hunter Region in accordance with the Department's Hunter Regional Plan 2041. Newcastle councillors threatened legal action after the government stripped them of their planning powers for the proposal. Green Corridor Coalition spokesman Brian Purdue said while 505 Minmi Road was a relatively small housing development, its importance as a wildlife corridor to the regional park far outweighed its size. "The prime consideration of the government must be to ensure this urban bushland corridor between two National Parks remains intact so it can function properly as a wildlife corridor, with width being the most important factor," Mr Pudue said. He said the group had provided the government with detailed information that contradicted information previously used to make decisions about the development. "A one-sided Hunter & Central Coast Regional Planning Panel briefing in 2022 resulted in 505 Minmi Road's special land category being changed in the new Hunter Regional Plan 2041 to a Housing Release Area. All reference to the regional park corridor was removed from the Gateway planning proposal, and the site was then put on Public Exhibition with these changes included," he said. The project suffered a major setback last year when the NSW Environment Protection Authority raised concerns about the impact of odours, gases and air emissions generated from the Summerhill Waste Management Centre. Even though the houses in the proposed development would be further from the waste cell than some existing homes, the proponent was requested to conduct a 12-month study into how 505 Minmi Rd could be affected. A Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure spokesman said the department was undertaking a final assessment of the 505 Minmi Road, Fletcher planning proposal, and consulting with government agencies to consider issues that have been raised, including biodiversity, bushfire risks, and land contamination. "The assessment will inform a finalisation report that responds to submissions made by the community, City of Newcastle, and State agencies," he said. The future of one of the most contentious parcels of land in the Lower Hunter is expected to be determined by the end of the month. The Department of Planning confirmed it is in the final stages of assessing a planning proposal to build 180 homes at 505 Minmi Road, Fletcher. The 26-hectare site has been the subject of a 23-year battle between the site's owner, Peter Durbin, and the local residents' group, Green Corridor Coalition, which has been lobbying to have the land used as a biodiversity corridor. Under a plan put forward by Mr Durbin, housing would be built on half of the site, and the other half would be dedicated to biodiversity. He recently told the Newcastle Herald the plan would complement the state government's efforts to build more homes. City of Newcastle has rejected numerous proposals to develop the site and recommended the state government purchase it for use as a green corridor. But an Independent Planning Commission review found the project had strategic merit as it would provide additional housing to the Hunter Region in accordance with the Department's Hunter Regional Plan 2041. Newcastle councillors threatened legal action after the government stripped them of their planning powers for the proposal. Green Corridor Coalition spokesman Brian Purdue said while 505 Minmi Road was a relatively small housing development, its importance as a wildlife corridor to the regional park far outweighed its size. "The prime consideration of the government must be to ensure this urban bushland corridor between two National Parks remains intact so it can function properly as a wildlife corridor, with width being the most important factor," Mr Pudue said. He said the group had provided the government with detailed information that contradicted information previously used to make decisions about the development. "A one-sided Hunter & Central Coast Regional Planning Panel briefing in 2022 resulted in 505 Minmi Road's special land category being changed in the new Hunter Regional Plan 2041 to a Housing Release Area. All reference to the regional park corridor was removed from the Gateway planning proposal, and the site was then put on Public Exhibition with these changes included," he said. The project suffered a major setback last year when the NSW Environment Protection Authority raised concerns about the impact of odours, gases and air emissions generated from the Summerhill Waste Management Centre. Even though the houses in the proposed development would be further from the waste cell than some existing homes, the proponent was requested to conduct a 12-month study into how 505 Minmi Rd could be affected. A Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure spokesman said the department was undertaking a final assessment of the 505 Minmi Road, Fletcher planning proposal, and consulting with government agencies to consider issues that have been raised, including biodiversity, bushfire risks, and land contamination. "The assessment will inform a finalisation report that responds to submissions made by the community, City of Newcastle, and State agencies," he said. The future of one of the most contentious parcels of land in the Lower Hunter is expected to be determined by the end of the month. The Department of Planning confirmed it is in the final stages of assessing a planning proposal to build 180 homes at 505 Minmi Road, Fletcher. The 26-hectare site has been the subject of a 23-year battle between the site's owner, Peter Durbin, and the local residents' group, Green Corridor Coalition, which has been lobbying to have the land used as a biodiversity corridor. Under a plan put forward by Mr Durbin, housing would be built on half of the site, and the other half would be dedicated to biodiversity. He recently told the Newcastle Herald the plan would complement the state government's efforts to build more homes. City of Newcastle has rejected numerous proposals to develop the site and recommended the state government purchase it for use as a green corridor. But an Independent Planning Commission review found the project had strategic merit as it would provide additional housing to the Hunter Region in accordance with the Department's Hunter Regional Plan 2041. Newcastle councillors threatened legal action after the government stripped them of their planning powers for the proposal. Green Corridor Coalition spokesman Brian Purdue said while 505 Minmi Road was a relatively small housing development, its importance as a wildlife corridor to the regional park far outweighed its size. "The prime consideration of the government must be to ensure this urban bushland corridor between two National Parks remains intact so it can function properly as a wildlife corridor, with width being the most important factor," Mr Pudue said. He said the group had provided the government with detailed information that contradicted information previously used to make decisions about the development. "A one-sided Hunter & Central Coast Regional Planning Panel briefing in 2022 resulted in 505 Minmi Road's special land category being changed in the new Hunter Regional Plan 2041 to a Housing Release Area. All reference to the regional park corridor was removed from the Gateway planning proposal, and the site was then put on Public Exhibition with these changes included," he said. The project suffered a major setback last year when the NSW Environment Protection Authority raised concerns about the impact of odours, gases and air emissions generated from the Summerhill Waste Management Centre. Even though the houses in the proposed development would be further from the waste cell than some existing homes, the proponent was requested to conduct a 12-month study into how 505 Minmi Rd could be affected. A Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure spokesman said the department was undertaking a final assessment of the 505 Minmi Road, Fletcher planning proposal, and consulting with government agencies to consider issues that have been raised, including biodiversity, bushfire risks, and land contamination. "The assessment will inform a finalisation report that responds to submissions made by the community, City of Newcastle, and State agencies," he said.
