Mile High-Rise girl: Blonde city planner 'approved illegal skyscrapers' in return for sex from developers

But the steamy reality of town planner Beth Morgan's career has shocked a nation.

The 32-year-old single mother, is at the heart of a scandal involving sex, skyscrapers and alleged corruption.

She is accused of approving millions of pounds worth of illegal tall buildings in return for lavish gifts and flings with developers who approached her.

Miss Morgan is said to have been on a "mission for sex" - hence the nickname she has been given... the Mile High-Rise Girl.

The saga has rocked the Sydney courtroom where it is unfolding before the powerful Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Miss Morgan was sacked by her council employer last year for "serious misconduct".

Now the commission is examining whether there was any corruption involved. During her time at the council in the steel-and-surfing city of Wollongong, near Sydney, Miss Morgan was involved either in the assessment or approval of four major developments worth more than £63million.

Two developers have admitted affairs with her, while a third claimed they were friends, but not in a sexual relationship.

The case also involves two conmen, pretending to be government investigators, who sought to blackmail her and the developers into paying tens of thousands of pounds to keep her "favouritism" hushed up.

The scandal, which has captivated Australians, also threatens several ministers in the government of the nation's most populous state, New South Wales.

Australians generally believe their country to be largely corruption-free and it ranks well on the international index prepared by Transparency International.

Amid the public corruption commission hearings, state Premier Morris Iemma promised to sack a senior minister if he was found to have improperly given a job to a city councillor linked to the scandal.

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The scandal even threatens to engulf politics in Sydney

While there are serious political implications, it is Miss Morgan's alleged insatiable appetite for sex and luxury goods that has drawn the most attention.

In return for allowing illegal property developments, involving buildings that were higher than regulations dictated, she received cameras, cash, designer handbags and a holiday in China.

She also received sex, which she appeared to have sought as readily as the other gifts.

Adding to her humiliation has been the release of emails between her and her lovers, one of whom described her as being on a "mission for sex".

In one intimate email to developer Michael Kollaras, she described him as "my most favourite, sexy, delectable, gorgeous, loveable Greek (who I can't wait for another day when we can - )". She left out the final word, but local reporters said this left little to the imagination.

Another developer, Glen Tabak, said he met Miss Morgan at least once for sex at a hotel - where she paid for the room. They also slept together at her house.

Science graduate Miss Morgan began her job at the Wollongong Council in May 2000.

The developments in question were approved between 2004 and 2007.

The inquiry continues next week.