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Community

27 May, 2021

Probity Audit for Ferry

A PROBITY auditor will review and provide detailed reports about the processes behind the Daintree Ferry Contract Renewal.


Probity Audit for Ferry - feature photo

Douglas Shire Council this week unanimously resolved to request the Chief Executive Officer, through the Audit Committee, to engage an independent probity auditor to analyse the ferry contract process to ensure public trust and understanding in the decision-making.

The probity audit will cover the period from initial consultations in 2018 through to the purchase.

Council’s Chief Executive Officer Mark Stoermer welcomed the audit as an opportunity to give ratepayers confidence in the process.

“Our staff have been diligent, thorough and responsible during the Daintree Ferry contract renewal and I believe a thorough independent audit will back that up,” he said.

The probity auditor will provide findings in a detailed report to Councillors, the Audit Committee and Management Team. A public report will also be made available.

The audit will investigate the contract process for the Daintree Ferry contracts including the original two ferry tender, the outright purchase of the existing ferry and the solicitation, evaluation, and award of the interim ferry solution.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said an independent audit was an essential mechanism to give the community confidence in the decision.

“We will be the first to admit we were not entirely satisfied with the amount of money paid for the vessel; however, it was the best result for our community given the cards we were dealt, and our ratepayers deserve to understand how we reached this point,” he said.

“While the purchase price was higher than we wanted, Councillors and I made a decision to prevent further economic damage to our local businesses after multiple efforts to negotiate at a lower price.

“The public deserve to know the lengths our staff went to secure this service.”

 

 

 


 

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