More than 100 local councils will be investigated by NSW's corruption watchdog over claims they accepted gifts and perks from private companies in return for placing orders and maintaining continued business relationships.
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The Independent Commission Against Corruption announced it would investigate 110 councils for corruption, in what is expected to be one of the watchdog's most extensive inquiries in decades.
The ACT's neighbouring councils, including Queanbeyan City Council, Palerang Shire Council, Cooma-Monaro Shire Council and the Eurobodalla Shire Council have all been cleared of any wrongdoing.
But the Yass Valley Council is being investigated over claims a former storeman facilitated the payment of fraudulent invoices. Those invoices, in addition to other fraudulent invoices paid out by a storeman of the Bathurst Regional Council, allegedly totalled up to $1.5million.
The Roads and Traffic Authority will also be targeted by the corruption watchdog, as will the Lithgow City, Ballina Shire, Orange City, Walgett Shire, City of Sydney, Waverley, Burwood, Botany Bay, Liverpool City, Bathurst Regional, Broken Hill City, Byron Shire and Narrandera Shire councils.
Palerang Shire Council general manager Peter Bascomb said corruption of this kind was not common within local government in NSW.
''I've not worked in a council where this sort of behaviour has come to light,'' Mr Bascomb said.
''There's always potential, we're spending a reasonable amount of money.''
Mr Bascomb said most councils had comprehensive internal auditing arrangements to directly address corruption and issues with gifts and perks offered by companies.
He said Palerang Shire Council was approached by the ICAC over whether it dealt with the companies in question.
ICAC will hold public hearings from next Tuesday over the allegations.
