Council’s Cottage con

Reports have called into question some of the events surrounding the demolition of the caretaker’s cottage at the Rushcutters Bay Tennis Centre.

City News has obtained a leaked copy of correspondence between Council CEO, Monica Barone, and the Construction Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) suggesting an agreement to postpone demolition had been broken.

President of the CFMEU, Peter McClelland said that while the union had not imposed a Green Ban on the site he and his executive assistant, Wendy Lark, had been misled about the demolition.

“Ms Barone had said to her [Ms Lark] no work would take place on either site,” he said.

“It is of considerable concern and with some anger that I now believe I was misled by Ms Barone.”

While Mr McClelland said he had not personally spoken to Ms Barone he was confident as to the agreement.

“I have absolute confidence in Wendy Lark,” he said.

The correspondence states:

“This is to confirm your advice to Ms Lark that no work whatsoever will be done on either of the above‐mentioned properties/developments during the period between now and our scheduled meeting date, which I understand will be on Monday 17th January 2011 at 2pm at your office,” it reads.

“Ms Jo Holder representing the Residents will be coming with me to this meeting, as I need to have resident viewpoint as well as council’s about the issue to ensure balance on the issue.”

Mr McClelland said he would attend the scheduled meeting on January 17.

“I will be discussing with Ms Barone her want to an ongoing relationship with the CFMEU.”

The union had previously called a halt to work on the site due to concerns about a possible asbestos contamination.

The cottage was completely destroyed by workers in late December.

Council could not be contacted for comment at the time of publication.

By Simon Black