Public inquiry could be held into Central Coast Council

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Mr Adam Crouch has raised the prospect that a formal public inquiry could be held into Central Coast Council after the end of the administration period in April.

Mr Crouch said that, after the end of the Administrator's extended term on April 29, "legal constraints mean that the Minister can allow the councillors to return to their jobs, or alternatively, begin a public inquiry".

"It's obvious that our community has lost faith in the Council, and the Minister will be making a final decision closer to April," he said.

Mr Crouch also said he did not support the 15 per cent rate rise.

"What frustrates me is that I have no control over whether a rate rise is implemented... rate rises are controlled by Central Coast Council and IPART only.

"I have been urging everyone in our community to go online to the IPART website and provide reasons for why you do not support a rate rise."

Mr Crouch claimed that the State Government had asked the Council about its financial situation prior to the dismissal, "but information was not forthcoming".

"Many of the issues at Central Coast Council were kept hidden from the NSW Government," he said.

"There are also many things still unknown about Central Coast Council's financial situation which the Administrator is continuing to uncover."

SOURCE:

Social media, 1 Feb 2021

Adam Crouch, Member for Terrigal