Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says a long-running investigation into allegations of corruption has caused stress to councillors, and he has welcomed the decision that no-one will be prosecuted.
Yesterday, the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) announced it would not pursue charges against any elected official from the council.
"I am pleased that the CCC has brought down the finding and there is nothing to see," Councillor Tate said.
The CCC's Operation Yabber began 16 months ago and looked into claims of corrupt conduct by councillors and senior employees.
They included an alleged failure to declare conflicts of interest across issues involving numerous councillors and staff, gifts and the suggestion that benefits were received by councillors from proposal applicants, and misuse of council funds.
Councillor Tate said the investigation had placed stress on many of the councillors.
"Whether or not there was something that was wrong … it's just the mere fact that the investigation was going on since August 2018," he said.
"I'm pleased now … the Gold Coast is all there and we look forward to seeing a more detailed report."
The CCC said it would publish a detailed report into the investigation in January.
Councillor Tate's conduct is still the subject of investigation after the CCC referred him to the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA) on matters relating to his alleged failure to meet obligations under legislation governing local governments.
The Mayor said he was used to being investigated by the OIA and confirmed he had three matters currently under review.
"Since the establishment of the OIA, I think I've been referred about 58 times," he said.
"They've all been dismissed. It'll be part of the process.
"I would just say that the dismissal rate there is the equivalent to the Australian cricket side against Pakistan."
Established in December 2018, the OIA investigates and assesses complaints about councillor conduct and prosecutes misconduct offences via the Councillor Conduct Tribunal.
The CCC also recommended Gold Coast City Council chief executive Dale Dixon discipline the Mayor's chief of staff, Wayne Moran, who was stood down last month while he was being investigated.
The details of why Mr Moran was stood down have not been released, and Councillor Tate said he was not aware of where the disciplinary process it at.
"That's an ongoing process and I don't have the detail on that," he said.
Improve corruption framework
The corruption watchdog has also asked the council to strengthen its corruption prevention framework and recommended it improve a range of policies and its staff code of conduct.
"I will talk it through with the CEO to see whether there is anything additional to be tightened," Councillor Tate said.
