The Parramatta Foundation

10/05/2026

ICAC public inquiry into allegations concerning the former CEO, Parramatta Council and other council staff starts today, Monday 11 May. For more information, see the post below.

ICAC PUBLIC INQUIRY COMMENCES 11 MAY 2026

The Independent Commision Against Corruption (ICAC) Operation Navarra Public Inquiry into allegations concerning City of Parramatta former Chief Executive Officer and other council staff commences today, 11 May 2026 at 10 am.

Chief Commissioner, the Hon. John Hatzistergos AM will preside the public Inquiry. Counsel assisting the Commission will be Johanna Davidson SC and Claire Palmer of Counsel. The public inquiry is set down to be heard over four weeks.

Witnesses scheduled to appear this week are:

Monday 11 May 2026
Bernadette Cavanagh

Tuesday 12 May 2026
Sheree Glover

Wednesday 13 May 2026
Justin Mulder

Thursday 14 May 2026
Mark Drayton

Friday 15 May 2026
John Angilley

Please note that this list is subject to change.

Members of the public may view the proceedings on the Commission's premises, or via the live stream. The stream will be accessible via a link on ICAC's homepage, with the streaming page live from approximately 9:45 am.

ICAC Hearing Room is Level 7, 255 Elizabeth Street, Sydney.

To view the full Opening Statement.(ICAC):https://www.smh.com.au/interactive/hub/media/tearout-excerpt/57324/OperationNavarraopeningstatement11May26_yuypd2pv.pdf

04/05/2026

21/04/2026

GETTING THE STORY RIGHT

Today on Hamish McDonald's morning program on the ABC, Hamish invited suggestions for World Heritage listings. In response we understand a number of people made the suggestion for Parramatta Female Factory (and Precincts).

Unfortunately, the upshot was that Hamish said it had been rejected by UNESCO. This is incorrect.

Instead it was rejected by the state government, a mistake that's been made.

We encourage you to read the ICOMOS letter to the government. This sets out the recommendations for the World Heritage Listing to be achieved.

As long suspected, the over development of the historic Cumberland (east) site is jeopardising the chance to achieve the World Heritage listing.

Please spread the word by sharing this information with other heritage lovers. A World Heritage Listings can be achieved! It just needs the will of the State and Federal governments.

We also alert you to the National Trust tour this Sunday highlighting the best heritage sites in Parramatta. This includes Parramatta's Female Factory and Precinct.

20/04/2026

INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAC)

announces Public Inquiry in relation to allegations in regard to former City of Parramatta CEO, Gail Connolly and other staffers. Details follow below.

ICAC - PUBLIC INQUIRY

ICAC will hold a Public Inquiry into allegations concerning the City of Parramatta Council was announced today. To start on 11 May, the Inquiry is expected to take for weeks.

The Inquiry is part of investigations ICAC is conducting into allegations concerning the City of Parramatta former CEO Gail Connolly, and Council employees Angela Jones-Blayney, Roxanne Thorton and other council staff (Operation Navarra).

'The Commission is investigating whether since 2023, Ms Connolly and other City of Parramatta staff partially exercised their official functions by:

- intentionally subverting proper processes, and misusing council systems and information, to conduct targeted electronic surveillance and conduct investigations on staff and a councillor for personal advantage or in order to benefit friends and associates associates and/or for reprisal action
- terminating staff in circumstances that constituted a partial error and /or dishonest exercise of their public official functions, for reprisal action or personal advantage or in order to benefit friends and associates

The Commission is further investigating whether Ms Connolly, Ms Jones-Blayney, Ms Thorton and other City of Parramatta partially exercised their official functions by intentionally subverting recruitment and promotion processes in order to benefit friends and associates.

Finally, the Commission is investigating whether Ms Connolly and other Council staff whether Ms Connolly and other City of Parramatta engaged in conduct that constitutes a breach of public trust by:

- misusing public funds to facilitate the exit of City of Parramatta staff through deeds of release for personal advantage or to benefit others
- misusing council information acquired in the course of their official functions by disclosing confidential information to third persons for personal advantage.

This general scope and purpose of this public Inquiry is to gather evidence relevant to the allegations being investigated for the purpose of determining the matters referred to in section 13(2) of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988.

Chief Commissioner the Hon John Hatzistergis AM will preside at the Public Inquiry. Counsel assisting the Commission will be Joanna Davidson SC and Claire Palmer of Counsel.'

The Public Inquiry will start Monday 11 Maty 2026

Venue: ICAC Hearing Room, Level 7, 255 Elizabeth Street, Sydney

26/02/2026

FiRST ROUND ICOMOS SAYS NO

'..this is not the end of the road for our wonderful Female Factory site and surrounds. Australia already has eleven convict sites recognised on the World Heritage List, and the North Parramatta precinct sits within the same historic landscape and site lines as Imd Government House. There is a clear international precedent for extending existing World Heritage listings to include sites of related significance.'
..'The story of North Parramatta deserves to be acknowledged, protected, and shared with the world. We live in hope!'
Roxy Theatre Action Group - Parramatta

Disappointing news to learn & Institutions Precinct has not passed the first stage for a successful nomination for a World Heritage Listing. This follows the initial review by as part of the process for the UN. Stating that the site did not meet the 'Outstanding Universal Value' threshold for World Heritage listing, like many we remain hopeful this has been just a hiccup in the process.

05/02/2026

WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE?