SafeWork NSW has commenced an investigation into allegations of councillor-on-councillor bullying at Hawkesbury City Council following statements made by Cr Mike Creed during a public council meeting on 12 May 2026.
The investigation follows comments made by Cr Creed in the Council chamber in which he described the impact that the alleged conduct of fellow councillors had, in his view, on his wellbeing.
During the meeting, Cr Creed told councillors and members of the public that the situation had caused him significant distress and that he had experienced thoughts of suicidal ideation, which he attributed to alleged bullying and harassment.
The statements were made in an open council meeting and remain publicly available through Council's webcast recording.
The Gazette can confirm that SafeWork NSW advised by telephone on 5 June 2026 that the matter had progressed to the investigation stage.
The investigation follows correspondence between former Hawkesbury Radio broadcaster Sean Carroll and Interim General Manager Will Barton regarding Cr Creed's statements to the Council chamber.
In correspondence provided to the Gazette, Mr Barton advised that any person who believed a referral was warranted could make a report directly to SafeWork NSW.
"If Hawkesbury Radio believes Council has failed to comply with its work health and safety obligations, it remains open to Hawkesbury Radio, and any other person(s) who reasonably believes the same, to refer the matter directly to SafeWork NSW, the appropriate regulatory authority, for independent assessment."
Will Barton, Interim General Manager
Following that advice, concerns were subsequently lodged with SafeWork NSW.
The Gazette asked Safework to consider the four questions below and provided them with a link to the Council meeting webcast dated 12 May for their consideration.
1. Have adequate psychosocial risk assessments been undertaken within Hawkesbury City Council?
2. Do appropriate workplace mental health protections exist for councillors and staff?
3. Internal conflict, governance practices, or behavioural culture may constitute psychosocial hazards. Do they exist at Hawkesbury Council.
4. And whether actions taken against local media organisations were aproportionate, evidence-based, and appropriately connected to the identified workplace risks.
The Gazette believes these matters raise significant public interest and workplace safety concerns that warrant independent consideration. Since lodging this inquiry SafeWork NSW have triaged the complaint and appointed an investigator.
Questions Raised About Council's Workplace Health and Safety Response
The development has renewed discussion regarding Hawkesbury City Council's handling of workplace health and safety matters.
As Interim General Manager, Mr Barton is responsible for the day-to-day administration of Council's workplace health and safety obligations.
Under section 27 of the Work Health and Safety Act, officers have a personal legal duty to exercise due diligence to ensure the organisation complies with its workplace health and safety obligations.
This duty exists independently of the Council's own obligations. The law requires the General Manager to take reasonable steps to:
- Understand workplace health and safety risks.
- Ensure appropriate systems and processes are in place.
- Ensure adequate resources are allocated to manage risks.
- Monitor compliance with workplace health and safety requirements.
- Verify that hazards, complaints and incidents are appropriately addressed.
- Personal Responsibility
This means that where a breach is established, the consequences may extend beyond the organisation itself and result in personal financial penalties for the officer concerned.
Under the NSW Work Health and Safety Act, a council's General Manager can face personal penalties for failing to exercise due diligence in relation to workplace health and safety obligations.
Following legislative amendments that commenced on 1 July 2024, the maximum penalty for the most serious Category 1 offence is $2.168 million and/or 10 years imprisonment. Category 2 offences carry a maximum fine of approximately $418,000, while Category 3 offences carry a maximum fine of approximately $139,000. The penalties apply personally to the officer and are separate from any penalty that may be imposed on the Council itself.
Questions for Council
The matter is likely to intensify debate about governance, workplace culture and the application of workplace health and safety principles within local government.
The Gazette has asked Interim General Manager Will Barton, as the officer responsible for the administration of workplace health and safety within Council a number of questions including:
• What factors informed Council's decision not to make its own referral to SafeWork NSW regarding the matters raised during the meeting of 12 May 2026?
• What support or assistance, if any, was offered to Cr Creed following his statements to Council regarding the impact that he said the alleged conduct had on his wellbeing?
• What considerations informed Council's response to Cr Creed's statements when compared with the preventative measures adopted in relation to other psychosocial safety concerns identified by Council?
The Gazette has not recieved a response to these questions.
The Gazette does not suggest that any allegation of bullying or harassment has been established. SafeWork NSW's decision to investigate does not imply wrongdoing by any councillor, council employee or other person. The purpose of the investigation is to assess whether any workplace health and safety issues require further regulatory consideration.
Questions to Councillors
The Hawkesbury Gazette wrote to all Councillors in preparing this news report saying:
As you may be aware, during debate on the motion concerning the exclusion of the Hawkesbury Gazette and Hawkesbury Radio from Council premises and meetings, Councillor Mike Creed made statements regarding the conduct of fellow councillors and the alleged impact that conduct had on his wellbeing.
In the interests of fairness and balanced reporting, we are offering all councillors the opportunity to comment. The Gazette would welcome responses to any of the following:
• Do you have any comment regarding SafeWork NSW's decision to investigate the matter?
• Do you believe councillor conduct and workplace culture within Hawkesbury City Council is an issue requiring attention?
• Do you support an independent investigation into councillor-on-councillor bullying allegations?
• What measures, if any, do you believe Council should take to ensure a respectful and safe working environment for councillors and staff?
• Do you have any concerns about the handling of the matter by Council administration following the statements made at the 12 May Council meeting?
Councillors are also welcome to provide any additional relevant comments.
The Gazette is not suggesting that any allegations have been substantiated. SafeWork NSW's investigation remains ongoing and no findings have been made. Furthermore, the Gazette has not included Deputy Mayor Cr Sarah McMahon in this email at her request. Instead she has asked that all inquiries to her be directed to the Council's media unit which we have done.
Support
If this article raises concerns for you or someone you know, support is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 or at Lifeline Australia.
No Findings Made
No findings have been made by SafeWork NSW and no determination has been made against any councillor, Council staff member or other individual.
Disclosure
The Hawkesbury Gazette discloses that Sean Carroll is a contributor to the Gazette and that Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett has familial ties to the publisher. The Gazette maintains editorial independence and publishes this disclosure in the interests of transparency.
