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Mystery developments in beachside towns: How business is booming for the Obeids | Four Corners

ABC News In-depth・35 minutes read

A corrupt politician, Eddie Obede, was sentenced for a mining tender scam that benefited his family with $30 million, leading to controversial property developments that threaten coastal towns in Australia. Residents like Lorna Russom and Shane Andrews oppose the high-rise project in Hawke's Nest, while investigations reveal the Obed family's history of corruption in manipulating deals and hiding assets.

Insights

  • The Obed family, involved in corrupt practices, profited $30 million from a rigged mining tender, leading to controversial property developments that threaten coastal towns like Hawke's Nest.
  • Residents, including Lorna Russom and Shane Andrews, oppose high-rise developments altering the town's charm, while investigations by Di Morrissey reveal the Obed family's history of corruption, manipulating deals, and using trusts to hide assets, impacting coastal communities like Hawke's Nest.

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Recent questions

  • What sparked controversy in Hawke's Nest?

    Obed family's secretive property developments.

  • Who is investigating the controversial project in Hawke's Nest?

    Di Morrissey and others.

  • What concerns do residents have about the proposed development?

    Altering the town's charm and character.

  • Who are some key figures involved in the Lake Cathay development?

    Jared Obed, Merwin Ibrahim, and Darcy Lussic.

  • What led to opposition from community members in the land sale?

    Lack of full community consultation.

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Summary

00:00

Corrupt Politician's Family Threatens Coastal Town

  • Eddie Obede, a corrupt politician, was sentenced to three years and 10 months for conspiring to rig a mining tender for his family's benefit.
  • The Obed family profited $30 million from the criminal deal, which remains with their companies, despite owing more in court costs and taxes.
  • The Obed family continues to live luxuriously and invest in property developments along Australia's east coast.
  • The Obed family's secretive property developments threaten the way of life for residents in coastal towns like Hawke's Nest.
  • Residents in Hawke's Nest are concerned about a proposed development of 140 apartments that would change the town's character.
  • Locals like Lorna Russom and Shane Andrews are against the high-rise development, fearing it will alter the town's charm.
  • Di Morrissey and others are investigating the mystery behind the developers of the controversial project in Hawke's Nest.
  • While some support the development for economic growth, others like Len Roberts and Rick Rate are concerned about preserving the town's essence.
  • The Obed family's involvement in the controversial development is revealed, with Eddie Obede's sons linked to the project.
  • The Obed family's history of corruption, using trusts to hide assets, and manipulating deals for profit is exposed through investigations and testimonies.

18:59

"Corruption and Development: The Obed Family"

  • In 2010, ICAC discovered that money from a corrupt mining deal was used to pay for a $1.1 million penthouse apartment in a hotel on the water.
  • The Obed family has had a property interest in Port Macquarie for a long time, with Mr. Obed spending time in an apartment at the Ridges Hotel.
  • The Obedies are developing a 16-hectare housing estate near Lake Cathay, a popular surfing spot, which was previously forested but now looks like a desert.
  • The Obedies acquired land near Lake Cathay from the former shire president, John Abby Saab, after he faced financial difficulties.
  • ICAC investigated allegations of bribery by the Obedies, leading to corrupt conduct findings against Moses Obed and false evidence by his brother Paul.
  • Despite the findings, a development application for the land near Lake Cathay was approved in 2013, with over 100 plots sold for at least $30 million.
  • Jared Obed, Eddie O'beed's fourth son, is now running the Lake Cathay development and was involved in key meetings around the corrupt coal deal.
  • The Obedies secured support for an apartment complex at Lake Cathay through 17 identical letters of support, including from Darcy Lussic and Merwin Ibrahim.
  • Merwin Ibrahim, a key figure in the Obed family's property interests, is involved in developments at Lake Cathay and Pacific Drive in Port Macquarie.
  • The Obed family has ambitious development plans along the New South Wales coast, including Aboriginal-owned land, with potential influence on land claim processes.

36:21

Controversial sale of beachfront land for development

  • The land along the beachfront up to the national parks was sold by the land council to developers in 2016 for $1.5 million, with Mohan Ibrahim being one of the buyers.
  • Lynn Roberts, a consulting archaeologist, prepared a report stating the land had no archaeological value, crucial for council to re-zone it for development.
  • Len Roberts, former CEO of the land council, faced controversy for his involvement in selling the land and voting in favor of the development without declaring a conflict of interest.
  • The sale of the land faced opposition from some community members, like Jan Webb and local elders Hector and Vanessa Saunders, who felt decisions were made without full community consultation.
  • Despite objections from over 60 people, the council approved the rezoning for development, potentially leading to a significant financial gain for developers.
  • Plans for the development include five apartment blocks, a retirement village, a five-star hotel, and restaurants, sparking concerns among residents about preserving the town's character and environment.
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