Jane Lomax-Smith and six new councillors join Adelaide City Council, but will much change?
Adelaide’s new – and returning – Lord Mayor reveals her big plans. And so do her colleagues. See what’s on all their agendas.
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It’s been 22 years since Jane Lomax-Smith was Adelaide Lord Mayor, but she could be forgiven for feeling like she’d never left the place as nothing has really changed.
On deciding to have a crack at Town Hall, Dr Lomax-Smith said: “I left council and intended to never come back.
“But frankly, I’ve been horrified, watching from outside the way this (council) has been conducting (itself). I thought I had no choice but to stand.”
That was on March 23, 1997.
This year she said: “I have been increasingly concerned, disappointed and even embarrassed that the council has become the butt of jokes.
“People keep telling me there is too much infighting and the council has become self-absorbed, inward-looking and rudderless.”
Back in 1997, Dr Lomax-Smith came into office facing issues of elected member dysfunction, future of the parklands and strained relations with the state government.
Fast forward 22 years and she takes over a council that has been plagued with factionalism, infighting and head butting with the new Labor government.
The more things change, the more things stay the same.
“I think the next council’s major challenge will be reasserting its credibility in the reputation of the council,” she told The Advertiser last week.
“I think it’s really important not just for the electors of the city, but for the whole state that this city performs well.
“And I think that the new council will be really committed to working collaboratively with new personalities – a different road map.”
Dr Lomax-Smith was elected last weekend as Lord Mayor on the narrowest of margins – 52 votes – against her nearest rival former senator Rex Patrick.
Mr Patrick will contest the count and is considering appealing the election results in the Court of Disputed Returns, because of alleged illegal voting behaviour.
The election will be void and a new poll needed, if the court agrees with the appeal.
Until then, Dr Lomax-Smith is a figure “fiercely supportive of heritage conservation and parklands protection” and a “champion of business, the retail sector and good urban design”.
You only have to look at her past record as Lord Mayor from 1997-2000, after three terms as a councillor, to see she is a woman true to word.
Dr Lomax-Smith served alongside deputy lord mayor Jane Jose becoming known for being pro-heritage. She also went on to campaign against a government plan to set up a ‘land trust’ for the development of Adelaide’s parklands.
Ms Jose said Dr Lomax-Smith was a “deeply principled person”.
“She has very clear values, which she brings to the role and I think the community recognises that,” she said.
“Her care for the parklands and for creating public spaces that are good for the community.
“We also stood very strongly for preserving Adelaide’s colonial heritage allowing people to redevelop the early houses behind the facade. The idea was to keep the character of Adelaide because it was really something of international value to the city.
“She and I together also advocated flying the Aboriginal fly in Victoria Square and we were the first city in Australia to do that. She has a very deep, passionate commitment to First Nations people and their place in Australia.”
Alongside Dr Lomax-Smith are six new faces. It follows Anne Moran, who served alongside her in the 90s, and Team Adelaide-aligned councillors Alexander Hyde, Franz Knoll and former mayor Sandy Verschoor being ousted.
Dr Lomax-Smith, now 72, says she feels “better able to achieve the role successfully” this time around.
The former pathologist, academic, minister and business owner has led a “varied career” and “learnt a lot”.
“The other issue, of course, is that when I was Lord Mayor last time I had a full time job, ran a practice and had two children under 10,” she said.
“So it to me seems like a different world this time. I used to arrive in the morning having packed up the lunch boxes … and I get to work I’d sit down behind the Lord Mayor’s desk and think ‘Gosh, this is the easy part’.”
ADELAIDE CITY COUNCILLORS:
AREA:
Janet Giles
Past president of Australian Education Union, 64
“For the next four years I will focus on reinstating the voice of residents into decisions about development and the future of Adelaide. My special focus will be reforming the planning act, strengthening protection for the parklands, creating a zero emissions city and addressing homelessness and affordable housing.”
Arman Abrahimzadeh
Project manager, 35
“The work for a city plan started in the previous council. I’m hopeful that this plan will provide much needed guidance and aspiration to the city’s stakeholders, be it our residents and businesses or other levels of government and the private sector. The city plan should also help deliver some of the council’s strategic goals. I want to see Adelaide’s population grow in order to support existing and new businesses and I also want to see the council invest in revenue generating initiatives so that we are less reliant on rates as a form of income. At the end of the day I want to make sure our residential and business communities are provided with world class amenity and facilities – this remains my top priority.”
NORTH:
Mary Couros
Business owner, 53
“I am honoured to have this opportunity to advocate for the residents and businesses in the City of Adelaide for a second term. I will continue committing my resources to increasing our local culture, livening our streets, supporting local businesses, protecting our heritage, and improving the maintenance of our infrastructure. In addition, I will continue ensuring prudent financial management, no nett loss of parklands, better accessibility, and ease the burden of red tape. While general maintenance is essential to our agenda, it’s also vital that we encourage population growth, cultural events, economic strength, sustainability, and liveability for our city. It’s important during these tough economic times that we consciously priorities financial management while keeping rates low to ease the cost of living for individuals and overhead pressures for businesses. Alongside these critical deliverables, my dedication is to tend to local issues and being an accessible community member.”
Phil Martin
Retired media executive and book store owner
“I’m very grateful to the people of North Adelaide who’ve now elected me three times to represent them on city council. I will work hard to represent their interests for the broader benefit of the city. I’m honoured to be joining this group of councillors. What diverse backgrounds they have and with such a broad range of expertise. The city is blessed. I’m genuinely excited about what we can achieve together for Adelaide. Collaboration will be the key and I look forward to working collaboratively with all of my fellow councillors and our new Lord Mayor in what I expect will be a high functioning council.”
CENTRAL:
Carmel Noon
Australian Institute of Conveyancers chief executive
“I want to champion working collaboratively and respectfully together as a leadership group rebuilding and restoring the trust of the people of Adelaide – incorporating best governance practices. I want a City Plan, working in collaboration with the state government and relevant stakeholders ensuring appropriate consultation and transparency. A plan that delivers
balanced and environmentally sustainable outcomes, taking into consideration the maintenance of our heritage, the retention of our ‘city in a park’- accessible and liveable reputation and building on our arts, culture and event programs. I have a burning desire to live in a thriving CBD focusing on our ‘point of differences’, including addressing parking and transport issues. I am passionately motivated to improve homelessness, not sure we can get to ‘zero’ in 4 years – however that is the figure of focus.”
Jing Li
Business and economic development expert, 38
“I’m very glad that for the first time in four years, we are able to focus on respect, accountability and performance as awhole team and I look forward to working with all new colleagues. Some of my priorities will include having a safer community. Our residents should feel safe walking around the CBD regardless of day or night. Our businesses don’t deserve malicious damages to their properties, thefts and abuses. We should work with all levels of government, the business community and residents to secure our economic future, a fundamental element to underpin council services and our lifestyle. Support multiculturalism, safe bike-riding, street activation, parking solutions and circular economy, explore innovative measures to preserve our unique parklands and heritage buildings, all things contributing to our status as the world’s 3rd ranking most liveable city.”
David Elliott
Office manager to Legislative Council member, 32
“I want to address longstanding safety issues for people walking and cycling. We can see huge social and economic benefits from ensuring our city caters to people first. The city has the highest rates of vehicle collision rates involving cyclists in Adelaide and the car congestion is a serious safety concern for visitors and residents. We need to address safety, congestion and meet the needs of people who want to travel by bike and by walking with a network of connected footpaths, cycling routes and priority crossings. Safe streets welcome people into the city, promote access to our vibrant city businesses and reduce congestion. I also aim to improve our city waste management, providing more recycling options for apartments and businesses, and moving Council procurement to recycled and sustainable resources. Long term, these efforts will improve Adelaide’s sustainability, vibrancy, cleanliness and accessibility.”
Simon Hou
Real Estate agent, 42
“Improving city safety and security is my top priority, I will be working closely with police and the council’s community safety officer. I will advocate for free off-street parking after 5pm to encourage people to come to CBD for dining and other night life to help the local hospitality industry to recover. All public transportation should be free within the CBD and we need to work closely with the state government to achieve this. 99A and 99B are good but not good enough, the public deserve more than just two free buses. I will work with council subsidiaries like Gouger St trader association, Grote St business association and Central Market trader association to complete a master plan for Market district, we could host events and promote this area together. City of Adelaide should provide more support to international students who live in Adelaide as they are an important part of our community.”
SOUTH:
Mark Siebentritt
Business owner/sustainability professional, 47
Adelaide has provided me and my family with much over my lifetime and my term in council is an opportunity to give back. I want to continue to build a vibrant and sustainable city and restore trust in council decision making. As a sustainability professional for the past 25 years I want to see more tangible action on climate change, which is why I announced that
I’ll advocate for the creation of a green street fund and an EV charging trial for the South Ward. I also want to support more vibrancy in the city where communities and residents alike benefit. I will be a voice for the needs and issues of residents and businesses in the South Ward in a way that contributes to a positive vision for the city, a city that we can be proud of and that stands out on the national and international stage.
Keiran Snape
Former hospitality worker, 32
“As the closest level of government to the people it is my goal to bring community and council together, with more genuine local representation and increased transparency and accountability. I’d like to see much stronger protections for our ParkLands and heritage buildings and make sure development passes the pub test. I’d like to see real action on climate change, more green spaces, trees and community gardens and a removal of the ‘greenwashing’ carbon credits system. I want to see the city become more liveable, walkable and cyclable and better disability access across the board. I will also be fighting hard for a new Community Centre and Library for the South-West corner. I’d like to see more collaboration between elected members and less hostility, I will certainly try to work with everyone and give all councillors the benefit of the doubt.”
Henry Davis
Specialist tax lawyer, 32
Being a councillor on a capital city council is a huge responsibility and not one that I take lightly. Parking in the city is a nightmare and an experience that is dreaded by many South Australians, one of my first actions on council will be to review how parking works in the city. My initial priorities will be: funding the endorsed South Parklands Sports Hub, designing a recreation circuit that will provide an uninterrupted bike/walking path around the city with overpasses across all roads, developing a “Clean Adelaide” policy to clean our streets and buildings, develop a 25-year master plan for the city and the parklands. I also want to change the way we levy rates in the city. At present, we reward landlords who allow their properties to degrade with lower rates. I also want to advance the idea for an Adelaide Centre for Music with a new concert hall.
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