It comes after doctors warned farmer Sebastian Papa to keep his kids out of his paddocks, as they’re laced with salmonella springing from a sewage leak on the neighbouring property.

In April, an Environment Protection Authority (EPA) official accused a manager within Narrandera Shire Council of cherry-picking his findings. 

Seven months later, council received a formal complaint accusing Ms Charlton of misconduct and deliberate misleading of councillors by “selective editing”. 

Narrandera Shire Council general manager Judy Charlton has since been cleared of misconstruing NSW Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) findings to councillors.

It was alleged incomplete information was used to cloud councillors’ decision making about Mr Papa’s sewage dispute.

However, the complaint was assessed by an Independent Conduct Reviewer and thrown out. 

“I have determined… to take no action regarding the allegation that the general manager breached the Code of Conduct by deliberately misleading council in their decision making process during a council meeting when she allegedly stated that all documents have been provided to Mr Papa and councillors, and further through the selective editing of documents by staff under her responsibility,” the reviewer determined.

Mr Papa has vowed to continue his fight in the Land and Environment Court.

The untreated raw sewage leak was plugged more than two years ago when the Newell Motor Inn was connected to town sewerage, but Mr Papa claims he’s still suffering. 

Last April, Mr Papa’s 7-year-old son was struck down with a bacterial infection common among gastroenteritis sufferers.

Jack’s symptoms have caused debilitating pain, which has stopped him going to school.

“I feel like I'm banging my head against a brick wall,” Mr Papa said.

“Because I know the land is contaminated, I will get in trouble if I grow produce on the property.

“I've got a property here I could make income off, but I can't because land is contaminated.”

Mr Papa hoped September’s floodwater, which lapped at the farmhouse verandah, washed away some of the contaminated soil. 

Narrandera council has agreed to undertake further soil testing at its own expense, “on a no prejudice basis”, in order to assist Mr Papa to have up to date information.