Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor seeks second term at Town Hall
Adelaide’s Lord Mayor has revealed her plans as new elections loom, as an ousted state minister declares her plans for a political comeback.
City
Don't miss out on the headlines from City. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor has announced she will run for re-election, committing $1 million to a cultural infrastructure fund designed to bring artists back to the city, if successful in November.
Seeking a second term in the top job, Mrs Verschoor said $500,000 from the fund would go towards a new 150-seat theatre and artists hub in the CBD.
“The last two years were challenging for the art sector and artists as workers and creators of culture didn’t receive the support other sectors did,” said Mrs Verschoor, a former arts executive.
“It’s time to stop pushing artists out to the fringes and welcome them back into the heart of our city to create great work and provide rich offerings to our residents and visitors.”
The proposed hub will include rehearsal rooms, a courtyard entertainment area, a gallery and artists studios.
Mrs Verschoor said she’s proud of what her team has achieved over the past four years, but said there are additional projects she wants to see through.
“I’ve worked tirelessly to bolster our cultural and economic development, to demonstrate real leadership in regards to climate change and homelessness,” she said.
“But there were certain things we weren’t able to deliver because we had to reallocate resources, time and effort to making sure the city came back to life.
“In April, we announced work had started on a city plan for Adelaide, a strategic spatial vision that will propel us into the future and I look forward to seeing that delivered.”
So far, former South Australian senator Rex Patrick is the only other candidate in the mayoral race, after councillor Phillip Martin recently withdrew his candidacy.
In recent years, the council has received criticism for harbouring a ‘toxic culture’ within the chamber walls.
Mrs Verschoor addressed the reports ahead of the election saying she hoped the people of Adelaide really think about who they want to represent them.
“We’ve made enormous strides in so many ways and all while a few councillors did whatever they could to hold the council back,” she said.
“I think it’s time to transition to a new era, a new council with conscience and a new council that is looking out for the next generation.
“Now is not the time to gamble on the future of our city.”
Mrs Verschoor became Adelaide’s 64th Lord Mayor in 2018, after former Lord Mayor Martin Haese stepped away from the role citing “personal and family reasons”.
Nominations for the elections close the morning of September 6.
Ex-Minister eyes new Prospect
By Lauren Novak
Ousted Liberal Minister Rachel Sanderson will make a play to re-enter politics this week by nominating to run for Mayor of the City of Prospect.
The former Child Protection Minister and State MP for Adelaide lost her seat at the March state election to Labor’s Lucy Hood.
Nominations for this year’s local government elections open on Tuesday and Ms Sanderson intends to put her hat in the ring to lead the Prospect council.
The council area overlaps with the state electorate of Adelaide and Ms Sanderson said she had “lived there and worked there for 40 years nearly”.
She owns a rental property within the council boundary and lives “metres” outside it.
“My first job was cleaning one of the businesses on Prospect Rd,” she said.
“Business people (now) are particularly unhappy and are looking for a change.”
Ms Sanderson said key issues on her agenda were to “take pressure off rates”, preserve the character of the area, increase parking around Prospect Rd businesses and drive environmental initiatives such as a small trial of a fourth bin for recycling glass.
Asked about her chances, Ms Sanderson said she did not believe the state election result would be reflected in council voting.
“It was only about 200 (votes) difference with first preference votes (in March),” she said.
“I certainly don’t feel rejected by my community at all.
“A lot of people have asked me to run.”
Ms Sanderson did not rule out attempting to return to state politics but suggested it was unlikely.
Exposed: The costly crimes of SA’s con-artists and fraudsters
From accountants fleecing millions from clients to dodgy doctors, lawyers and tradies, these criminals all ended up proving crime doesn’t pay.
High Court released criminal behind bars after visa breach
He was released as part of the High Court decision, now this detained criminal has allegedly reoffended and refused to comply with his visa conditions.