In August, the Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra said the council was blackmailing the government over the Albion Park Rail Bypass, in order to get it to fund a separate council roads project.

Mr Ward said Roads and Maritime Services managers told him this during a meeting.

Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba has consistently refuted this claim.

The council referred Mr Ward to ICAC due to concerns he was interfering in its negotiations with council – and Mr Ward then referred himself.

Mr Ward released the corruption body’s letter stating it would not be investigating further but the result of council’s complaint is unknown.

In parliament on Wednesday, Mr Ward again criticised the council’s actions.

“These actions were politically motivated,” Mr Ward said.

“The functions and resources of the ICAC were used as a weapon to attack somebody else, which is not what the ICAC should be used for.”

He also stated internal RMS documents obtained by the Mercury “accurately relayed what I said publicly”.

However, the Mercury’s story stated the redacted document made no references to RMS staff advising Mr Ward council was deliberately delaying the project.

Ms Saliba hit back at Mr Ward’s claim the council’s ICAC referral was politically motivated.

“This is the pot calling the kettle black –  this is petty politics on Gareth Ward’s part,” Ms Saliba said.

“We went through an appropriate process to find out whether something was or was not inappropriate or corrupt behaviour. We’re not the body that determines that, ICAC is.

“We went through the appropriate process to determine that and we are quite prepared to accept the outcome of ICAC.”

While stating the result of the referral was between the council and ICAC, Ms Saliba said “the matter is finalised”.