Debate was over the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Restoration of Community Participation) Bill 2008.

Speaking in support of the Bill, which would ban political donations before the upcoming local government elections, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon said recent events in Shoalhaven added weight to the argument.

Ms Rhiannon listed a number of developments progressing in the region in which the developers concerned had made donations to Mayor Greg Watson and the Shoalhaven Independents Group.

Responding to Ms Rhiannon, Greens MLC Sylvia Hale said the facts pointed to “corruption at local government level arising from developer donations”.

Ms Hale said Ms Rhiannon’s speech “pointed out the corruption of the planning system at the local government level does not begin, nor does it end at Wollongong. There are ongoing concerns at other NSW councils...”

In her address, Ms Rhiannon said she stood by comments she made in Parliament last week in which she described a situation where a donor to the Shoalhaven Independents Group’s campaign, Michael Corban, had the rezoning of a property approved.

Yesterday, Ms Rhiannon raised concerns with other financial backers of Cr Watson and the Shoalhaven Independents Group.

Lucas Property owner Ralph Lucas had donated $10,000 to Cr Watson’s 2003 State election campaign and $12,000 to the Shoalhaven Independents Group in the 2004 council election.

She said the company has substantial interests in Sussex Inlet, with current plans to redevelop a golf course in combination with a large residential development.

In relation to the development, Ms Rhiannon said Department of Planning documents showed concerns with the rezoning and development of the environmentally sensitive Badgee Lagoon that had been presented in the Shoalhaven council strategy.

“The clear conclusion from the then Department of Environment and Conservation was that the area of environmental concern has been minimised in the draft strategy exhibited by council,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“Maybe the error was a mistake, or maybe deliberate but what we do know is that the result potentially maximises the area Lucas Property can develop – another reason why the mayor needs to explain what is happening here.

“Another one of Mr Watson’s backers has been in the news lately. LED (South Coast) Pty Ltd is a subsidiary of Beechwood Homes.

“This company donated $3000 to the 2003 campaign for Mr Watson. It donated a further $10,000 to the Shoalhaven Independents Group in 2004.

“In November 2002, the council agreed to sell the 33-hectare former University of Wollongong agricultural campus to Vyntage Pty Ltd, a Beechwood Homes subsidiary for $5 million.

“This was confirmed at an extraordinary meeting of council on 11 February 2003.

“Mayor Watson was required to provide the casting vote for the sale to proceed,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“One month later the company donated $3000 to Mayor Watson’s State electoral campaign.

“Elderslie Property Developments is another company that donates to the mayor.

“It is involved in a number of projects in the Milton-Ulladulla region.

“This company contributed $10,000 to the 2004 Mayor Watson-Shoalhaven Independents Group campaign for Shoalhaven council.

“Elderslie has submitted three applications for development involving a total of 11 commercial units, 48 tourist units and 212 residential units in the Ulladulla area.

“Clearly a lot needs to be explained.”

Yesterday, Mayor Watson said he had not heard Ms Rhiannon’s comments and would not respond to her demands for answers until he had.

“I’ll get around to it when I get around to it,” he said.

“I’ve got more important things to do in this city. I’ve got to get development happening so we can get some jobs

happening.”

Cr Watson said the Minister’s use of parliamentary privileges to make these remarks was cowardly.

“I put it to you that if I’ve done anything that is not legal, if Shoalhaven City Council has done anything, or if members of council staff have done anything, take it to the police and get someone charged.

“Otherwise stop maligning people’s character in a most disgraceful and cowardly way.”