GRIFFITH'S mayor has issued a warning to all councillors to "get their facts straight" before making accusations.
New mayor John Dal Broi came under fire last week after councillor Alison Balind publicly drew attention to his use of the disabled bay at the front of council chambers.
While Cr Balind didn't name Cr Dal Broi as the culprit, the mayor accused her of knowing it was him and trying to cause trouble.
This week, council staff discovered the space had been intended as a loading zone and no approval had ever been given to transform it into a disabled bay.
Cr Dal Broi was furious he had been exposed in a public council meeting without proper research into the issue.
"All in all, this has been an exercise in trying to embarrass me," the mayor said.
"By doing what she (Cr Balind) did, she has brought out all the zealots who want to have potshots at me.
"It appears a couple of people can't get over the fact that the incumbent (Cr Mike Neville) lost the mayoral position. If they don't like it, there are options for them to follow.
"Let this be a warning to councillors that this sort of thing won't be taken lightly."
But Cr Balind said she took no responsibility for the criticism the mayor had received.
"I did not accuse him of anything he self-nominated," Cr Balind said.
"I wasn't 100 per cent sure who was parking in the disabled bay, so I was not going to make that accusation."
Before council chambers were renovated in 2010, a space was set aside for the mayor, but the same provision wasn't included for the new building.
Wheelchair-bound former mayor Mike Neville used the bay in question and, at some stage, signage was added to mark it for disabled use.
No evidence has been recorded of a council resolution or in-committee discussion about the change.
Council executive services manager Shireen Donaldson said the mayor could not be fined for misusing a parking space on council land.
A review of all parking at council chambers will be conducted in the coming weeks.
Council executive services manager Shireen Donaldson said staff would now undertake a review of all parking areas surrounding council chambers.
She said the disabled bay would remain "for the time being" but was likely to return to a loading zone in future.
Council will also consider allocating reserved bays in the staff car park for the mayor and general manager.
Cr Dal Broi said he would avoid using the controversial parking bay until the matter was resolved.
