PORT Stephens councillor Sally Dover was "absolutely shocked" to be mentioned in the ICAC hearing on Friday.
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The councillor was named in an email between Port MP Craig Baumann and Buildev director Darren Williams.
The email is dated February 2008, when Mr Baumann was on Port Stephens Council.
In it Mr Baumann speculated about an upcoming council vote on a Buildev development at Boundary Road, Medowie.
He wrote to Mr Williams that seven councillors were for the proposal and four were against, saying that "Baldwin will 'firm her up"' referring to Cr Sally Dover.
Mr Baumann was questioned about the email on Friday.
He said he was referring to Liberal member for Paterson Bob Baldwin who would speak to Cr Dover about the development because they were close.
Cr Dover slammed the claims saying she was "absolutely not" involved in any underhanded development application (DA) approval process.
"I don't even know why my name was mentioned," she said.
"There is certainly no coercion on my part."
She also distanced herself from Mr Baldwin saying they have no relationship when it comes to DA approvals.
Cr Dover said an ICAC investigation in Port Stephens "would be an absolute waste of time".
The Examiner contacted Mr Baldwin's office but was told he would not be making any comment on the ICAC hearing, other than that all allegations were hearsay.