Queensland's corruption watchdog is investigating allegations Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate deliberately misled his fellow councillors ahead of a vote on a controversial property sale.
Save Surfers Paradise (SSP), a group of businesses and residents, tabled a 50-page complaint to the Crime and Corruption Commission late last year accusing Mr Tate and council chief executive Dale Dickson of improper conduct.
Central to the complaints are the sales of a site at 72 Remembrance Drive, which the group claims Mr Tate has a material personal interest in due to his business links, and the Bruce Bishop Car Park - funds from which are set to pay for council's new cultural precinct.
SSP steering committee coordinator Deborah Kelly says among various allegations is the claim Mr Tate lied to council during the debate on whether to approve the sale of the car park.
"He overstated the amount of people using trams to imply that less parking was needed," she told AAP.
In a letter sent to councillors on Friday, Ms Kelly warned them the mayor's alleged deception could leave them personally liable if the sale of the car park is ruled void following the CCC investigation.
"The voting should not have proceeded without these matters being made crystal clear and placed on the public record," Ms Kelly wrote.
The CCC is already investigating the council's decision to fill in a lake near the city's race course while Cr Tate and Deputy Mayor Donna Gates are facing scrutiny for allegedly not declaring racehorse ownership.
Cr Tate has given a one-sentence response to the accusations.
"I respect the confidentiality of the CCC," he said.
Mr Dickson welcomed the investigation into his conduct, saying the claims aren't new and are part of legal action which will soon be dealt with by the Supreme Court.
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