BY IAN CROUCH
There have been tense scenes in Newcastle Council overnight, with fresh calls for councillor Allan Robinson to resign immediately after his excavation and demolition company was fined for illegally dumping construction material last month.
Deputy Lord Mayor, Declan Clausen believes the conviction could put council's Environmental Protection Licence at risk, which could potentially see their licence to operate the Summerhill Tip revoked, creating a public health crisis and putting hundreds of jobs on the line.
Cr Clausen believes a councillor could be deemed a director under fit and proper criteria contained in the Protection of Environment Operations Act.
He also believes the city could be considered a body corporate under the Local Government and POEO Act.
However, council staff have questioned the legal basis for Cr Clausen's view under the legislation.
Independent and Liberal councillors claimed the resignation call was politically motivated.
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| Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen |
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| Councillor Allan Robinson Picture: theguardian.com |
