Councillor investigated for local fight

Richard Payne

Shellharbour City Council has been thrust into further controversy following revelations one of its serving councillors was involved in a physical altercation with a member of the public in Addison Street, Shellharbour, last week.

Eyewitness reports claim Councillor Jeff Bailey repeatedly punched and grappled with a well-known local resident only minutes after the pair had become involved in a heated argument.

“I was just walking down Addison Street and I noticed two men fighting with each other before the older person fell to the ground,” the witness said.

“Then the councillor left while people came out from the bakery and took care of the other person.

“He looked a little worse for wear and needed some attention.”

Despite not wanting to be named, the other person involved in the Addison Street dispute said it was important people realised last week’s argument was the build up of years of tension, with the local resident saying Mr Bailey and himself had a number of unresolved issues.

Still seething from the fracas, the other participant in the fight said the incident took place after Mr Bailey had “given him a spray” as he walked past an Addison Street café earlier in the day.

“I walked past once and he had a bit of a go at me and then I went past again later and he gave me another spray and I just was not going to cop that,” he said.

“I went over to him and asked what his problem was, then before you knew it, it was on.

“I wasn’t surprised this took place to be honest.

“He has held a grudge against me for years.”

Police were called to the scene and are carrying out further investigations into the incident after reports of conflicting evidence from witnesses.

A Shellharbour City Council spokesperson said they were aware of the alleged incident, but did not have any comment.

Cr Bailey was contacted by The Lake Times but did not return any of the calls.