Questions about workplace culture at Hawkesbury City Council continue to grow following the confirmation that SafeWork NSW is investigating allegations of councillor-on-councillor bullying, while fresh concerns have emerged about the conduct of Councillors during private discussions and before council meetings where there is no public scrintiny of behavior.
SafeWork NSW is investigating allegations made publicly by Councillor Mike Creed during a council meeting in May, where he told the chamber he had experienced extreme distress as a result of the behaviour of some Councillors.
The investigation is ongoing and no findings have been made.
The Gazette has also been told of another incident said to have occurred immediately before a recent council meeting.
According to accounts provided to the Gazette Ms Robyn Preston MP for Hawkesbury was invited to attend the council chambers following comments she made in the NSW Parliament concerning Hawkesbury City Council's Special Rate Variation (SRV).
Reportedly during the discussion a number of councillors strongly criticised Ms Preston using raised voices over those parliamentary comments.
According to those accounts, Ms Preston did not engage in an argument and, when invited to respond, indicated she had attended to listen to councillors' views.
The Gazette has also been told that several councillors present were uncomfortable with the tone of the discussion.
The Gazette has not independently verified every aspect of these accounts.
Separate concerns have also been raised with the Gazette about the broader culture within the elected council. Allegedly some Councillors now avoid being alone in the presence of certain other councillors because they fear being subjected to further allegations or complaints.
Repeated accusations of misogynistic have left other Councillors reluctant to participate in one-on-one discussions with some colleagues.
The Gazette has not independently verified those allegations.
These claims arise against the backdrop of the ongoing SafeWork NSW investigation, which followed Councillor Creed's public statements in the council chamber describing the severe impact that alleged bullying had on his mental health.
The investigation has heightened scrutiny of governance and workplace culture within Hawkesbury City Council.
Under the Work Health and Safety Act, councils have obligations to provide a psychologically safe workplace for workers, including elected councillors when undertaking their official duties.
On 28 April 2026, Mayor Les Sheather and Interim General Manager Will Barton excluded the Hawkesbury Gazette from attending Council premises, describing the ban as a precautionary measure to avoid a potential breach of work health and safety (WHS) requirements.
The outcome of the SafeWork investigation may provide greater clarity about whether any breaches of workplace health and safety obligations occurred and who and or what maybe the cause of these breaches.
The Hawkesbury Gazette has contacted Councillors seeking comment on the matters raised in this article. The only response recieved was from Deputy Mayor McMahon who stated she was referring the Gazette to the police.
