Yesterday, 14 July 2025, marked the start of a significant part of the public inquiry into Liverpool City Council, held in Sydney under the provisions of Section 438U of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW). As a resident of the Liverpool area, you might be wondering what this inquiry actually means for our community, spanning 305 square kilometres and home to over 250,000 people from diverse backgrounds. Pulse radio host Mr Michael Andjelkovic attended the first day of the hearings to bring you the key updates, focusing on issues that might concern you—especially where your rates and council funds are involved.
Key Issues Raised: A Troubled Council?
Senior Counsel Assisting, Ms T McDonald SC, provided a detailed opening statement that painted a picture of a council grappling with internal conflicts and financial challenges. One of the most immediate concerns for residents is the apparent dysfunction within the governing body. Ms McDonald highlighted a specific council meeting on 26 February 2025, where tensions between Mayor Ned Mannoun and Councillor Peter Ristevski boiled over. She noted, “We anticipate that there will be evidence about antagonism between those two gentlemen,” referencing past defamation proceedings and a troubling incident during a meeting about the appointment of a new general manager where personal space was allegedly invaded and Councillor Peter Ristevski is said to have stood on the foot of Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun.
This kind of personal conflict spilling into council operations is worrying. It suggests that decision-making might be influenced more by grudges than by the needs of our community. For locals, this raises questions about whether our elected representatives are focused on serving us or settling scores.
Financial Management Under Scrutiny
Perhaps the most alarming revelations for ratepayers involve the council’s financial management and spending practices. Ms McDonald pointed out that Liverpool City Council was identified in the Auditor-General’s 2024 financial audit report as one of the least liquid councils in NSW, meaning our available cash and investments are insufficient to cover even three months of general fund expenses. This is a red flag for financial sustainability, especially when coupled with a projected return to deficit until 2029-2030, as per the council’s long-term financial plan.
Another significant concern is the handling of major property transactions. The inquiry will examine the 2022 purchase of a property at 600 Cowpasture Road for $24.75 million, intended as a depot and waste recovery centre. Ms McDonald stated, “The inquiry will look at whether the preliminary work, such as due diligence, probity requirements… were adequately followed.” Questions remain about whether this purchase aligned with strategic plans and if public consultation was sufficient. With additional costs pushing the total to $32.7 million, partly funded by potential increases in domestic waste rates, residents might wonder if this was a prudent use of our money.
Then there’s the issue of grants under the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program. While Liverpool secured over $153 million for projects like the Carnes Hill Aquatic and Leisure Centre, variations in project scope—such as reducing a planned 50-metre pool to a 25-metre one—raise concerns about planning accuracy and whether we’re getting value for money. Ms McDonald noted a proposed variation to redirect funds from the Brickmakers Creek to Woodward Park project towards an amphitheatre or dome, which was initially rejected. Such shifts in purpose could mean that promised community benefits are delayed or altered without clear justification.
Code of Conduct Complaints: A Costly Distraction
One of the most shocking statistics shared was the explosion in code of conduct complaints among councillors. From just 5 complaints in the 2023-2024 financial year, the number skyrocketed to 115 by June 2025, with costs to ratepayers exceeding $346,000 for investigations. Ms McDonald revealed, “At that point the cost of the 46 complaints including estimated council staff time, code of conduct reviewers, was in the amount of about just over $346,000.” For residents, this is a direct hit to the wallet—money that could have been spent on roads, parks, or community services is instead funding internal disputes. The inquiry will explore whether alternative mechanisms, like reinstating an internal Ombudsman, could save time and money.
Staff Turnover and Termination Costs
The revolving door of general managers at Liverpool City Council is another area of concern. Since 2010, there have been six permanent and eleven total (including acting) general managers. The termination of recent CEOs, particularly John Ajaka in 2024, has come at a high cost. Ms McDonald explained, “Those legal proceedings eventually resulted in a settlement where we understand that he was paid a substantial amount of money… also because he started legal proceedings some of his legal fees were paid.” This payout, alongside additional costs for external investigations, means ratepayers are footing the bill for what appears to be poor employment management practices.
Why This Matters to You
As Liverpool residents, we entrust our council with managing a budget of over $530 million annually to improve our suburbs. The issues raised on Day 1—financial instability, costly internal conflicts, and questionable spending decisions—suggest that not all of our rates are being used effectively. The high turnover of senior staff and the hundreds of thousands spent on code of conduct complaints are particularly galling when we consider the potholes that need fixing or the community facilities awaiting upgrades.
This inquiry isn’t just a bureaucratic exercise; it’s a chance to hold our council accountable and ensure it serves our needs. While the hearings couldn’t be held locally due to logistical challenges, they are being live-streamed with transcripts available on the inquiry’s webpage. I encourage everyone to follow along and stay informed about how our council operates.
Let’s hope this process leads to a more transparent and efficient Liverpool City Council for all of us.
Transcripts Day 1
Arabic ( Google Translation) (coming soon)
Vietnamese (coming soon)
