CCC probes complaint from Whitsunday ratepayers’ group about deputy mayor Andrew Willcox

The Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) has confirmed it has received a complaint about the Whitsunday Regional Council’s deputy mayor.

The Whitsunday Ratepayers Association has filed a complaint to the corruption watchdog, alleging misconduct by councillor Andrew Willcox during failed talks over a proposed $300 million development for Airlie Beach in north Queensland.

The council terminated the land sale contract for the Chinatown development last month, after investors failed to settle the outstanding balance.

Cr Willcox said the allegations were an election stunt

“They’re the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard in my life, the allegations, just totally off the wall, just ridiculous,” he said.

He said he wanted the CCC to finish its assessment before local elections later this month.

“It’s just … to discredit me, I’ve been in council for four years, had no issues whatsoever,” he said.

The CCC said the allegations should be treated as unsubstantiated until a final decision had been made.

With local council elections underway, the commission said it was preferable all complaints were made confidentially.