Drummoyne MP John Sidoti called the planning coordinator of his local council to discuss a proposal that had the potential to affect his financial interests but said he was “calling as a resident” and not the local member, a corruption inquiry has heard.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption is investigating whether Mr Sidoti improperly influenced or attempted to improperly influence councillors or staff members at the City of Canada Bay Council between November 2013 and September 2017 to exercise their functions to benefit his family’s property interests. He has vehemently denied wrongdoing.
John Sidoti outside the ICAC last month.Credit:Wolter Peeters
The ICAC has heard that Mr Sidoti, his wife and parents were the registered owners of a commercial property at 120 Great North Road, Five Dock, which previously housed a function centre run by the Sidoti family.
Members of the Sidoti family also had an interest in two neighbouring properties on Great North Road and at 2 Second Avenue in Five Dock, the commission has heard.
On Thursday, the City of Canada Bay’s manager of strategic planning, Paul Dewar, told the ICAC that “I received a phone call from Mr Sidoti” about planning decisions arising from the council’s urban design study for the Five Dock town centre, which had recommended some areas be re-zoned from residential to mixed use development. Mixed-use zoning allows for higher density residential and commercial development.
Mr Dewar said Mr Sidoti introduced himself and said: “I’m calling as a resident, not as a local member.”
Asked if Mr Sidoti identified himself as a property owner, Mr Dewar said “not as I recall, no”.
Mr Dewar said Mr Sidoti asked him “why the northern side of Second Avenue was being treated differently to the southern side” and not being rezoned for mixed use development. The ICAC has heard the Sidoti family wanted this area to be rezoned for mixed use.
Mr Dewar said he believed he pointed to factors including a “heritage item”, an apparent reference to a house in Waterview Street, and strata development.
Mr Dewar said he told his supervisor, then council planning director Tony McNamara, about the call.
Asked if it was “common or unusual to be contacted by a resident asking such a question”, Mr Dewar said “I receive inquiries all the time by residents about these type of matters”.
Mr Dewar said he did not speak to Mr Sidoti again about the rezoning issue and did not believe he spoke to him again about any other matter.
Later on Thursday, Canada Bay Liberal councillor Michael Megna began giving evidence.
The ICAC is investigating whether Mr Sidoti sought to arrange a meeting between the council’s four Liberal councillors, including Mr Megna, and the president and vice president of the Five Dock Chamber of Commerce in relation to the urban design study.
Mr Megna was asked if it appeared from one email that Mr Sidoti was seeking to form an “alliance” among Liberal councillors.
“That’s the inference,” Mr Megna replied.
The inquiry continues.
Michaela Whitbourn is a legal affairs reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.
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‘I’m calling as a resident, not as a local member’: John Sidoti’s phone call to council planner - Sydney Morning Herald
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