CCC warns of miners' pressure
Daniel Emerson, The West AustralianTHE WEST.com
The State's corruption watchdog has warned that the hundreds of millions of dollars mining giants shower on Pilbara councils has created pressure to deliver "outcomes", including development approvals.
When the Corruption and Crime Commission scrutinised four Pilbara councils' misconduct protocols three years ago, it found they did not have any - sparking a major review.
The resulting report, tabled in Parliament last week, found the money big miners gave councils for community infrastructure came with negative consequences.
"Staff at some Pilbara local governments indicated they felt significant pressure in responding to and delivering outcomes associated with large mining companies, their development proposals and their expectations," the report found.
The CCC found evidence that informal business practices common in country WA appeared to be favoured by mining companies, including one which "preferred discussing business over dinner rather than at the shire offices".
"The CCC was told that, as a result, staff often felt pressured and compromised," the report found.
The Town of Port Hedland and Shire of Roebourne were described as being at the forefront of development pressure in the region.
Town of Port Hedland acting chief executive Ian Hill told the CCC that contributions from mining companies involved "large investments of negotiation time and ongoing attention to the companies' requirements for recognition".
He said misconduct management strategies were now being put in place.
Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA chief executive Reg Howard-Smith welcomed the CCC's recommended improvements.
"It is worth noting that report did not make any allegations or report any misconduct by any local government, company or individual," he said.
WA Local Government Association chief executive Ricky Burges said it was appropriate that big companies assisted Pilbara councils financially in recognition of the impact they had on towns.
Images @ Melonpopzdropz Flickr
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