Operation Cavill report concerning Ryde City Council to be furnished 30 June 2014

Thursday 26 June 2014

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will furnish its report on the Operation Cavill investigation to the Deputy President of the Legislative Council on Monday 30 June 2014 at 10.30 am.

If the Deputy President makes the report public, it will be made available for download from the ICAC website at www.icac.nsw.gov.au.

Operation Cavill concerns a number of allegations involving former City of Ryde Mayor, Councillor Ivan Petch, and others, including the alleged release of confidential council information on many occasions, and for various reasons, including in an attempt to undermine council employees, such as the former General Manager, Mr John Neish.

It also includes an allegation that Cr Petch played a role in an offer conveyed to Mr Neish that his employment would be secure if he could delay consideration of the proposed redevelopment of the Ryde Civic Precinct. A further attempt by Cr Petch to influence a decision required to be made by the acting general manager of the council is also part of the investigation.

Allegations that Cr Petch has failed to disclose financial relationships and potential conflicts of interest while serving as a councillor on the City of Ryde Council also feature in the investigation, as does an allegation that a corrupt offer was made to City of Ryde Councillor Bill Pickering by a person who was doing work at a local newspaper, The Weekly Times, to persuade Cr Pickering to support a development application.

Media contact: ICAC Manager Communications & Media, Nicole Thomas, 02 8281 5799 / 0417 467 801