A Victorian court has heard more details of ‘astroturfing’ by developers trying to buy approval.

An Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) hearing into alleged corruption in planning decisions at the City of Casey in Melbourne's south-east this week heard the president of a bogus community group admit he was “selling his position”.

President of the Save Cranbourne West Community Action Group (SCRWAG) Ray Walker was paid over $5,000 a month by developer John Woodman to push key planning projects.

He admitted to “being used” because he needed money after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and his daughter suffered a serious work accident.

Evidence has shown Mr Woodman allegedly directed Ms Shutz to set up and fund the community group to advance his planning interests.

Mr Woodman and his lawyer Megan Schutz were involved in setting up the SCRWAG, and paid nearly $200,000 to the association and its president, Mr Walker.

Ms Schutz allegedly devised the name of the group, created its website and doorknocked to gather signatures for a petition.

The developer used the group to garner support from council and the State Government.

As president, Mr Walker was paid $2,500 a month by Mr Woodman to “collect real estate data” and another $2,500 a month for his “research” work on the Hall Road project.

The project would have delivered “windfall profits” for the company Mr Woodford was working for.

Mr Walker said he still acted in the interests of residents.

“It was a very uncomfortable situation I was put in,” he said.

“I was being used … the only reason I agreed to it reluctantly was because we also wanted to get the Hall Road project through as fast as possible.”

Counsel assisting IBAC, Michael Tovey QC, described the group as “the creature of developers”.

“You were going to councillors as the head of SCWRAG … basically you were selling your position, there was no other explanation here,” Mr Tovey said.

“Yes,” Mr Walker replied.

The hearings this week also touched on connections between the developers and the Victorian Government.

Recorded phonecalls were played in which Mr Woodman’s lawyer said she had thanked Treasurer Tim Pallas at a December 2018 Labor Party fundraiser for an introduction to the secretary of the Department of Planning.

She also said that Premier Daniel Andrews told her to “say hi to John” at the same Labor function.