Draft Ethical Conduct Investigations Policy

Share your thoughts on the Draft Ethical Conduct Investigations Policy

The Ethical Conduct Investigations Policy sets out how Wollongong City Council manages and investigates serious complaints about wrongdoing. It ensures that issues such as corruption, maladministration, serious breaches of the Code of Conduct, child safety concerns and significant misconduct are handled in a fair, transparent and consistent way.

What is being recommended?

Council is proposing to adopt an updated Ethical Conduct Investigations Policy. The updated policy:

• Sets out a clearer process for reporting concerns and deciding whether a complaint needs formal investigation.
• Strengthens protections for people who speak up, including confidentiality and fair treatment throughout the process.
• Includes a stronger focus on child safety and reflects the standards set by the Office of the Children’s Guardian.
• Clarifies the roles of the Public Officer, General Manager and external investigators.
• Explains how evidence is gathered, how people are interviewed and how findings are reported.
• Outlines circumstances where Council may not investigate a complaint, for example if it relates to a private matter or has already been dealt with.

You can download the Draft Ethical Conduct Investigations Policy and the Council Report via the document library. We have also created some Frequently Asked Questions to help learn more about the policy.

Prefer reading the policy in-person? You can find a printed copy of the policy at all Wollongong City Library branches during opening hours, or at Council’s Customer Service Centre, Ground Floor Administration Building, 41 Burelli Street Wollongong, between 9am and 5pm weekdays

Share your thoughts by:

• Completing the online feedback form
• Emailing council@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
• Writing to The General Manager, Wollongong City Council, Locked Bag 8821 WOLLONGONG DC NSW 2500
• Phoning on 4227 7111

Please provide your feedback by Wednesday 4 March 2026.

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Accessibility and language assistance

If you’re d/Deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech or language difficulty, you can contact us through the National Relay Service. If you need an interpreter, you can contact us through the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. You’ll need to provide our phone number 02 4227 7111 for either service.