A LOCAL residents group has called for an investigation into allegations that Brimbank mayor and Harvester Ward councillor Sam David has breached legislation and guidelines.
The Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association (SunRRA) is calling for a probe into an alleged breach by Cr David of the Brimbank Councillor Code of Governance 2006 and the Local Government Act 1989.
Association president Darlene Reilly said the association was also calling for an expert independent investigation into the Brimbank Council’s budget and priority-setting processes by Local Government Minister Richard Wynne and by Brimbank chief executive officer Nick Foa.
She said the association wanted an investigation and explanation of the facts surrounding the tabling of a document moved and seconded by Cr David and Cr Kathryn Eriksson.
The document was tabled during a formal councillor budget committee meeting and contained a number of proposals to redirect significant funds from key strategic Harvester Ward projects including Buckingham Reserve and Parsons Reserve that were not in line with council officers’ original project recommendations.
“SunRRA alleges that this action was clearly a breach of the Local Government Act 1989, which clearly states a councillor with a conflict of interest must follow the act and cannot move or second a motion on any question relating to the matter,” Ms Reilly said.
“As outlined in our letter to the Hon Richard Wynne, Cr David is a ‘life member’ of the soccer club that is to benefit from the diverted funds and the project has not been properly evaluated and ranked for capital works priority funding previously.
“SunRRA is calling on the State Government to ensure budget processes have not been compromised and that the originally tabled proposal by Cr Sam David be revoked if findings confirm it was submitted illegally.
