Potentially corrupt NSW government land purchase prompts inquiry into 20 similar deals

Independent investigation of purchase of contaminated site for Parramatta light rail put on hold to allow separate Icac probe to run its course

A deeply flawed and potentially corrupt land purchase by the New South Wales government has prompted an investigation of 20 similar property acquisitions, an inquiry has heard.

A NSW parliamentary inquiry is currently probing the state government's purchase of a contaminated block of land in the Sydney suburb of Camellia for $53.5m, just months after it was purchased at a fraction of the cost by property developer Billbergia.