It’s been a year since the new name of Honora Fields was formally adopted for the expansion of Pakenham to the east, but the council has yet to make the name official due to ongoing investigations around allegations of corruption, despite IBAC rejecting the claims.
Cardinia Shire Council declared Honora Fields as the officially endorsed name for what is known today as Pakenham East, the name followed an extensive consultation process and is in honour of the matriarch of the well-known Carney family.
Months later, a motion to rescind the decision was made by former councillor Stephanie Davies, who alleged the consultation was done without due process and involved an undeclared conflict of interest.
The rescind motion failed, but the hostile exchange in council chambers that preceded it resulted in both Ms Davies and the council resolving to refer an external body to settle the matter.
The final measure for the naming, submitting the name before Geographic Names Victoria, was put on hold while any potential investigation was still pending.
Ms Davies said her claims have been in response to concerns of her own and of residents.
‘When my concerns about wrongdoing and conflicts of interest went public, I was approached by several current residents of the new suburb, who said they, and their neighbours had preferred Alice Park,” she said.
“The rules of Geographic Names Victoria also state that current residents get the preference as are the ones most affected.”
As of June 16, the council still has the name on hold as reviews are still ongoing.
Multiple agencies can be referred the matter, including IBAC and the Local Government Inspectorate. The council has not shared the agencies that have been notified.
Ms Davies brought her own claims before IBAC and the Local Government Inspectorate. A response in March, seen by the Gazette, showed IBAC decided not to pursue an investigation or refer the complaint to another agency due to a lack of evidence indicative of corruption.
In response, Ms Davies then referred Integrity Oversight Victoria to review IBAC’s conclusion.
The outcome of this referral is not known to the Gazette.
A response by the Local Government Inspectorate has not been received yet.
