January 27, 2022- COUNCIL’S COMMUNITY FIRST FOCUS AS DEFAMATION MATTER ENTERS FINAL STAGE

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Published
27th January 2022

Cassowary Coast Regional Council Chief Executive Officer Andrew Graffen said today, Councillors were provided a further update on long standing matters involving Council and a Bingil Bay couple.


 “Council have resolved to be updated on these matters and committed to provide the community with updates when appropriate.”


Mr Graffen said that the defamation matter has been a distraction and today’s update that an application on behalf of Mr Gott to discontinue the proceeding has been filed with the Court commences the final stage in this long standing matter. 


“The report provided advice to Council of the commencement of yet another action initiated by Mr Toogood against Council, this matter also includes myself in my capacity as Chief Executive Officer. Council have resolved to again defend this application and considered and approved an application for legal representation for myself.”


Matters with this couple have been ongoing since 2017 and are complex in nature, as such Mr Graffen explained that Council has resolved to engage Connolly Suthers to continue to represent Council in these matters. This ensures that any costs are minimised and Council is not expending funds to bring new legal representation up to speed on years of legal matters.


“It is our hope that Mr Gott’s defamation matter will now be swiftly concluded by the court and allow Council to move forward and maintain a Community First focus.”