MINISTER PUTS SHOALHAVEN COUNCIL ON NOTICE OVER BUNGLED BIOELEKTRA CONTRACT

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has revealed that Shoalhaven City Council has further questions to answer after locals were left millions out of pocket over the failed Bioelektra contract.

The information comes in response to a question asked by Mr Ward of the Local Government Minister in Parliament.

“Earlier this year, I asked the Minister for Local Government a series of questions in relation to Shoalhaven City Council’s contract with Bioelektra,” Mr Ward said.

“The NSW Minister for Local Government has indicated that the Government will “not propose further investigations until Council's external forensic investigation is completed, at which time an assessment of whether a section 430 investigation under the Local Government Act 1993 is needed, or the matter can be closed”.

“This is a shocking revelation that the NSW Minister for Local Government himself has now effectively put Shoalhaven City Council on notice to explain its actions and mismanagement in relation to its failed Bioelektra contract which cost residents millions of dollars without any result.

Click here to read Mr Ward’s Question on Notice and the Minister’s response.

“Whilst the Minister has also indicated that Shoalhaven City Council has “…instituted staffing and governance changes” local residents are still left in the dark as to what changes have been made, why they have been made and the nature of the investigation being undertaken and who exactly is undertaking it.

“The Minister’s answer raises more serious questions and locals have a right to know of what changes have actually been made.

“In the interests of transparency and accountability, I would ask that Council provide an update on the investigation and detail the nature of the changes that have been made following the termination of the contract with Bioelektra,” Mr Ward concluded.