Griffith City Council has moved to appoint an independent panel to avoid a potential conflict of interest.

In December, Terra Ag had written a letter to council offering $10,000 towards an engineering assessment of a bridge on Willandra Avenue.

However, Terra Ag had also submitted a development application (DA) to build a rural supplies business between Bunnings and the Sikh temple.

As a result, council general manager Brett Stonestreet recommended the development be referred to an Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel.

Mayor John Dal Broi said it was important for council to be transparent in the matter.

“If we had tried to hide this we could have been criticised for it,” Councillor Dal Broi said.

Terra Ag’s letter came the day after council submitted a funding application for the southern heavy vehicle bypass under the Fixing Country Rounds scheme. The application stated “a consortium of 10 transport operators have committed to a $50,000 contribution” to have the Willandra Avenue bridge assessed.

Councillor Alison Balind asked Mr Stonestreet if the $10,000 offer was an “inducement” related to the rural supplies DA.

“Absolutely, certainly not,” Mr Stonestreet said.