Syd Walker, who is standing for Council in Division 8 in the forthcoming Tablelands Region Council elections, today called on Mayor Borzi of Mareeba Shire Council to resign.
Mr Walker has also called for immediate Queensland Government intervention to put Mareeba Shire Council under administrator until the new Tablelands Regional Council takes over - and to nullify the decision on the future of Myola made by Mareeba Shire Council at a Special Council Meeting on January 29th. Mr Walker says that Council’s Myola decision was not only high-handed and contemptuous of community views. He also believes it was unlawful and in breach of the Local Government Act.
“There is solid evidence that Mayor Borzi had a declarable interest in the Myola decision, because he owns a block of land within the Myola Zone. Yet there is no record in the minutes that he declared the potential conflict of interest or left the meeting for the discussion or vote” said Mr Walker.
“I have legal advice this is a potentially matter for the Crimes and Misconduct Commission.” Mr Walker added.
“Last week, I inspected Mareeba Shire Council’s Register of Interests which indicated the Mayor owns EIGHT blocks in the Kuranda area. The CMC should investigate whether more of these blocks were subject to undeclared conflict of interest over the last 8 years” he said.
Mr Walker thanked Mike Moore, editor of CairnsBlog, who co-hosted today’s media conference in central Cairns. “CairnsBlog.net has performed an invaluable service in helping to bring details about the Myola issue to public attention - and to break through a climate of fear which too often keeps important stories untold ” Mr Walker concluded.
For more information, contact: Syd Walker Phone:07 4093 8384