FORMER mayor Ronney Oueik, who campaigned with Premier Mike Baird at the last election, gave free cupboards worth $2000 to Auburn Council’s head of planning, according to evidence at a public inquiry into the scandal-plagued authority.

A document outlining a referral to the corruption watchdog about a series of units developed by Mr Oueik that were wrongly converted from two to three bedrooms also mysteriously disappeared from Auburn Council’s records, it was alleged.

Premier Mike Baird campaigned with Mr Oueik as he ran for the seat of Auburn against Labor’s Luke Foley in the run-up to the March 2015 state election.

media_camera Commissioner for the Auburn City Council Public Inquiry Richard Beasley SC, makes his opening remarks. Picture: Stephen Cooper

The public inquiry into Auburn Council began today amid a heavy security presence and a packed public gallery, including Mr Oueik, another former mayor Le Lam - but no sign of Salim Mehajer, the man whose lavish wedding brought intense scrutiny onto the authority.

The inquiry is examining planning decisions taken by Auburn councillors, some of which are alleged to have financially benefited councillors. It is also examining the actions of council backroom staff.

Counsel assisting the inquiry Paul Bolster opened proceedings by outlining a series of “spot rezonings” on parcels of land in Auburn and Lidcombe where Mr Mehajer and Mr Oueik owned or were buying properties.

Mr Oueik’s firm BBC Developments was fined $3600 after it was found that more than half of the 41 units in a Station Road unit complex he owned had been incorrectly converted from two to three bedrooms.

media_camera Former mayor Le Lam was in the public gallery as the inquiry got underway. Picture: Stephen Cooper

Mr Bolster said the matter of how the conversions were allowed to take place was referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) but a copy of the referral document later appeared to have been removed from Auburn Council’s official records.

“By whom and in what circumstances is a matter for this inquiry,” Mr Bolster said.

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ICAC took no action on the matter. Auburn Council was suspended earlier this year, its councillors sacked and the authority has been merged with neighbouring Holroyd.

In a further allegation, Mr Bolster said Mr Oueik visited the home of Auburn Council’s head of planning Glenn Francis in early 2006. Mr Francis was planning renovations and Mr Oueik arranged for his tradies to do some of the work, valued at around $10,000, which was paid in cash.

But when a workman installed new cupboards at the home, he refused to accept payment from Mr Francis.

media_camera Opposition leader Luke Foley, with former Auburn councillor George Campbell outside the inquiry. Picture: Stephen Cooper

The planning boss told a private hearing linked to the Auburn inquiry that he could not recall the name, telephone number or address of the workman.

Mr Francis became agitated and quizzed Mr Oueik about the free cupboards and said he wanted to pay for them, according to Mr Bolster.

He was told by Mr Oueik that they “were a gift” and that he wanted to “help a family” out.

Mr Bolster said Mr Francis did not disclose the gift until this year and insisted he did not let the “situation” affect his duties.

Mr Oueik declined to comment outside the inquiry, which is expected to last up to three weeks.