The commissioner conducting the public inquiry into Blue Mountains Council has reassured residents that he hopes future hearings would be held closer to, or in, the Mountains.
Richard Beasley, SC, has announced that the first sitting days of his inquiry will be held on April 8-9 at the NSW Bar Association Dispute Resolution Centre in Phillip Street in the city.
This section of the inquiry relates solely to the fourth term of reference - the appointment of Michael Tooma to conduct the investigation into asbestos incidents and concerns about employment practices.
In a statement, Mr Beasley said because this particular part of the inquiry is expected to take just two hearing days (with a third in reserve in case), he had been advised that it would be most cost effective and efficient to hold the hearings in Sydney.
"It is the intention of the commissioner that when other public hearings take place in relation to his other terms of reference, every endeavor should be made to arrange for a suitable location in the local government area of the Blue Mountains City Council, or within close proximity to it," he said.
