Victorian Councillor found guilty of conflict of interest over Rosebud aquatic centre development

Mornington Peninsula Shire Councillor Graham Pittock has been found guilty of conflict of interest in respect of decisions relating to the Council's controversial Southern Peninsula Aquatic Centre development.

The Mornington Peninsula Leader newspaper has reported that Councillor Pittock was found guilty of two offences at Frankston Magistrates’ Court at the end of August after he voted on the Centre proposal while owner of the Tonic Squash and Gym centre just 10 kilometres away from the site on Port Phillip Bay foreshore at Rosebud.

The Local Government Inspectorate received an anonymous complaint in February 2012 that Councillor Pittockwas voting on the proposal, which includes a gym, and he was charged in March last year.

The Court is expected to impose a penalty fine and decide on costs on 19th September.

Councillor Pittock (pictured above) told the Mornington Peninsula Leader that he could not comment on the case since it was still being considered by the Court.

However, he did state “I’ve done my best to represent my constituents.”

Aquatic centre supporter and Rosebud West resident Betty Preston told the Leader that Councillor Pittock was an experienced councillor and should have known better, stating "he has put himself in jeopardy and the finger will be pointed at him to be wiser."

Friends of Rosebud Beach and Foreshore Inc Treasurer John Cain, who opposes the aquatic centre development, said the decision deprived the community of a voice on the major project.

Cain stated “I think the Council should apologise to Councillor Pittock or the people of Dromana because they have no say in the building of this Taj Mahal.”

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is currently inviting the public to choose one of four submitted designs for $34 million centre.

Main image shows Cox Architecture's design for the planned Centre.

3rd September 2014 - FOUR DESIGNS SUBMITTED FOR MORNINGTON PENINSULA COUNCIL’S SOUTHERN PENINSULA AQUATIC CENTRE