Ex-Greens senator Robert Simms puts banning plastic at forefront of council return push
FORMER Greens Senator and Adelaide City Councillor Robert Simms will make a bid to return to Town Hall, and he says he will wage a war on plastic if successful.
FORMER Greens Senator and Adelaide City Councillor Robert Simms will make a bid to return to Town Hall, and he says he will wage a war on plastic if successful.
Mr Simms was elected as an Area Councillor in 2014 but stood down less than a year later for a place in the Senate following the resignation of Penny Wright.
But now Mr Simms — who failed to be re-elected at the 2016 federal election — will bid to return to that position, telling The Advertiser he will run for the Area Councillor position at the November local government election.
Mr Simms said if elected he would look to get the council to;
PHASE out single-use plastics in the city,
DIVEST from fossil fuels,
PROMOTE affordable housing in the city, and
PUT people back into the planning process.
He said the move to ban single-use plastics, such as straws, takeaway containers and cutlery, would make the council a national leader.
“Plastics are having a shocking environmental impact — particularly in our oceans," he said.
“It’s clear that we need to take action to end plastic pollution.
“There’s a big opportunity for Adelaide to show some real leadership here.”
France has passed a law to ensure all plastic cups, cutlery and plates can be composted and are made of biologically-sourced materials from 2020 onwards while Hobart City Council has also signalled its intention to try to go down that route.
For the council to ban single-use plastics, it would require a change in its by-laws.
Mr Simms said businesses needed to be a part of the push.
“I want to work with local businesses to end single-use plastics like straws and cutlery in our city and significantly reduce waste,” he said.
“Council can be offering incentives to food provision businesses to use sustainable alternatives.
“I think this is something that businesses and consumers would really get behind.
“After all, South Australians have long been leaders in this area, with our ban on plastic bags and container deposit scheme.”
Mr Simms will have a clear path to return as an Area Councillor following the decision of former Deputy Lord Mayor Natasha Malani to not seek re-election.
Joining Ms Malani in not running again are fellow former deputy mayor Meghan Hender and first term councillor David Slama.
Alex Antic could also increase the amount of vacant seats if his senate bid for the Liberal Party is successful.
Mark Hamilton will challenge incumbent Martin Haese for the Lord Mayor position.