The fallout from the controversial ‘wrecking ball’ email continues weeks after it was leaked to the media, as Clarence Valley Council has been reported to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and Clarence Valley Semi-Permanent Van Group Inc. spokesperson Simon Chase says he has commenced proceedings for alleged defamation against General Manager Laura Black.
The internal Council email featuring an Artificial Intelligence generated image of people on wrecking balls smashing caravans was a staff suggestion for Council staff to perform at the Jacaranda Festival.
The email that was sent, on September 17 and September 27 (a claim rejected by Ms Black) suggested playing Miley Cyrus’ song Wrecking Ball.
When news broke in the media about the email, Ms Black requested a retraction and apology, as the stories were incorrect.
Ms Black alleges the pdf document produced to support the media release by spokesperson for the Clarence Valley Semi-Permanent Caravan Group Inc Simon Chase, had been altered to omit key information that shows the calendar invitation was not sent twice to all staff, the second time being September 27, 2025, at 3:26pm as claimed.
Ms Black told Clarence Valley Independent she had evidence that Simon (Mr Chase) had altered that document to support his story.
Mr Chase said he emailed Mayor Ray Smith requesting he put in a Code of Conduct complaint against the staff member who sent the email, and against Ms Black as she had to be held accountable as the person in charge.
“He replied to me at 8am the next morning, not even within business hours, saying that he wasn’t going to investigate it,” he said.
“Then I became aware that the General Manager came out saying that I had manipulated or falsified the email, and I sent it to the Councillors so they could be aware that the information we had was, the email was sent on more than one occasion; it was sent twice.
“I gave Laura Black seven days to retract what she said, based on the email that she sent to you and the Northern Rivers Times.
“I then sent Laura Black a concerns notice saying she is to immediately stop and apologise to the people she sent (the allegations the email was manipulated) to saying it was false.
“Those seven days finished on Friday (October 10), and I didn’t hear anything.”
Mr Chase said he has now progressed the matter to his solicitor to take action against Ms Black for alleged defamation.
Mr Chase said he has also contacted Deputy Secretary of the Office of Local Government, Brett Whitworth about the issues.
“I complained about the Mayor not even considering my Code of Conduct complaint,” Mr Chase said.
“He said if I have a complaint about the Mayor and the General Manager I have to send it to the Mayor, and he has to appoint someone to investigate.
“So, I sent an email to the Mayor saying I am now making a Code of Conduct complaint against him about not investigating my Code of Conduct complaint.
“I have also sent a separate Code of Conduct complaint to the Mayor about the General Manager.” (Concerning alleged defamation)
Mr Chase said he reported Ms Black to the Independent Commission Against Corruption about defamation allegations.
This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 15 October 2025.
Related story: A meeting with the General Manager, “Inappropriate and insensitive”