Flood Waters Clear and Moreton Bay Regional Council Stumbles Upon….Facebook

  It seems that Moreton Bay Regional Council has had a wakeup call and is ready to boldly enter in to the new world of social networking.

MBRC Floods - The Mayor And Deputy Treads Water

  Faced with severe flash flooding last week, Moreton Bay Regional Council’s response was one of chaos and confusion, sparking an angry backlash.

  Council’s handling of the flood crisis is now under attack as angry residents caught up in the disarray question the lack of co-ordination as disaster struck.

  It has led to questions about the adequacy of council’s disaster management plan – or even whether a plan existed given the level of disorder.

  The information vacuum begun days before the worst of the flooding hit, smashing towns from Strathpine to Caboolture.

Angry Queensland Mayor

  Allan Sutherland has been called into question over a house deal, land deal and his developer dealings while serving as Mayor of Moreton Bay Regional Council.

  The Sunday Mail has reported that the Mayor has entered into a 'commercial agreement' with Devine LTD. The major development company will use the block to operate its sales office for an adjoining multi million dollar development.

  It's not the first time the mayor has made headlines over his property dealings.

  An earlier Sunday Mail report about Mayor Sutherland's purchase of the same block of land revealed he could have been in possession of privileged information about the area through his elected position.

  The latest report has brought Mayor Sutherland into the sights of the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) for the second time this term after he referred himself to the body on another matter.
 
Mayor Sutherland first referred himself to the CMC earlier this year after it was reported by the Sunday Mail he had entered into a three cornered deal with a developer, Bob Trask - also a contributor to Mayor Sutherland's election campaign. In this deal the Mayor acquired his now multi million dollar family home.

  The dealings with the CMC may be a little different this time, because Councillor Chris Whiting has also lodged a complaint with the Council CEO and requested that it be referred to the CMC.

  It is understood the Mayor is furious this information is being reported by the media. It is also understood the Mayor has been telling people he is considering launching a defamation case against this media.

  Defamation lawyer, Barrie Goldsmith has pointed out in such cases it is virtually impossible to sue for defamation. 

  "Politicians have a higher standard of proof than the rest of the community in terms of establishing damage to reputation," Barrie Goldsmith said.

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