According to The Australian newspaper, the NSW Labor government is finally drafting legislation to ban “developers, real estate agents and their associates from holding positions on local councils”, in this article by the papers NSW Political Correspondent Yoni Bashan.
“Putting a developer on council is like putting Dracula in charge of the blood bank,” said the NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean.
We assume that by “associates” they would mean anyone who works in development industry-related positions, for example; urban planners, builders, building products producers and suppliers, property and real estate industry association lobbyists, etc.?
When in opposition the NSW Labor party was highly critical of the Liberal Governments “, see this article on Government News back in August 2017;
Hopefully, the WA Labor Government will follow suit. Stopping development industry professionals from having positions on councils would be a great first step towards cleaning up WA’s dodgy planning system.
Now would be a great time to email your Local Members of Parliament, the Minister for Local Government David Templeman and your local council Mayor, and let them know how you feel about “developers, real estate agents and their associates” being appointed to your local council.
By Leisha Jack
