Report on the investigation into the complaints of James Gerard Soorley against the Brisbane City Council

Allegations were made about the Brisbane City Council's financial management of the Rochedale waste facility. This report provides a conclusion of the CJC's investigation into the matter.

When distilled, Mr Soorley's submission outlined six general areas of concern. The full text of the submission is reproduced at Appendix 2.

The issues as identified by the Commission are reproduced below: 

1. Political Donations: Did Pacific Waste Management Pty Ltd (hereinafter referred to as Pacific Waste) make payments to the Liberal Party or the "Lord Mayor's Trust Fund" in circumstances where such payments could be considered improper'?
2. The 1987 Town Plan Amendment: Was the Town Plan amended with a view to siting a dump at Rochedale'? If so, why was the land not purchased in 1987?
3. The Purchase of the Rochedale Site by the Succesdul Tenderer: Can it be implied from its purchase of the Rochedale site before close of tenders that Pacific Waste had prior knowledge that its tender would ultimately be successful?
4. Contract Negotiations: Were the contract negotiations conducted in a biased or otherwise improper manner?
5. Land-fill Site Cost of $14.2 million: Was the price of land corruptly or improperly inflated?
6. Interpretation of Tender Documents:
   - Were tender costs improperly included by Pacific Waste in the agreed contract price? 
   - Would the fact that the Contractors were to be paid a fee for the amount of refuse transported from the transfer stations to the dump site prove a dis-incentive to recycling and, in effect, afford a "blank cheque" offer to the successful Contractor? 

This report was tabled in Parliament on 6 June 1991.