The NSW premier's office says the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has launched an investigation into alleged impropriety within the Hills Shire Council in Sydney's north-west.
Last year Liberal MP for Kellyville Ray Williams made claims in parliament that developer Toplace was colluding with the Liberal Party to advance its development interests in the Hills area.
Mr Williams alleged Toplace owner Jean Nassif had given Liberal members "significant funds" to replace elected members of the council with new councillors who would be more amendable to new developments.
An upper house parliamentary inquiry into the allegations was called six months later and commenced hearings in February but was hindered by the refusal of key witnesses to give evidence.
Former premier Dominic Perrottet's two brothers, Jean-Claude and Charles Perrottet, were both summoned but failed to return calls and emails for some time, sparking an extensive search for them. They both denied any allegations of impropriety.
Mr Nassif also refused to appear, telling the inquiry he was in a remote part of Lebanon while rejecting any suggestions of impropriety.
The inquiry's final report said efforts by key witnesses to evade scrutiny gave a perception there was "something to hide" and recommended a new inquiry be established following the March election.
Although Dominic Perrottet initially demanded the media "leave his family out of it", he eventually referred the matter to the ICAC.
Premier Chris Minns, who at the time was opposition leader, said there was "no alternative" but to suspend the council.
However today a spokesperson for the Premier said ICAC had asked the government not to proceed with any inquiry or suspension of the council as it could interfere with its investigation.
This followed reports that a number of homes have been raided in relation to the ICAC investigation.
Victoria police have confirmed a warrant was executed at a property in the Melbourne suburb of Camberwell on April 5.
It said the warrant did not relate to a Victorian police investigation.
Charles Perrottet has lived in Victoria since 2021 and currently lives at a home in Camberwell.
