“I can confirm we have received an anonymous complaint and it is about a pecuniary interest matter so we will definitely make some preliminary inquiries to see if there is any substance to the claim,” Mr Woodward said.

The Area News believes it is claimed that Cr Zappacosta failed to declare a number of financial interests in the major Kidman Way development late last year. Firstly, by not declaring that one of the developers was his accountant, that the value of his nearby property may be affected by the re-zoning and that the nearby post office and general store, which he has an interest in, may be financially affected by the new centre.

A Department of Local Government spokeswoman said she could not comment on whether this scenario amounted to a pecuniary interest and said the onus to make a sound judgement was placed on a councillor.

“It is up to a councillor to determine whether there is a pecuniary interest,” the spokeswoman said.

The Burley Kidman Centre development, which was approved by council on December 11 of last year, involved the rezoning of a number of blocks on Kidman Way in order for a transport service centre and tourist facility to be developed.

A number of services are proposed for the abandoned citrus orchid, including an RTA inspection centre, a service station and convenience store, a motel, carwash and caravan park.

Cr Zappacosta was suspended from council for two months in 1998, after the Department of Local Government’s pecuniary interest tribunal found he and two other councillors had failed to declare a pecuniary interest in a matter amending the Griffith Local Environmental Plan.

At that time, the state valuation office estimated that Cr Zappacosta’s properties would have gained around $81,000 in value as a result of the amendment on which he voted.

Cr Zappacosta declined the opportunity to comment on the present complaint.