Push for councillors to log conversations with developers

An Adelaide City councillor wants his colleagues to log discussions with developers in a bid to be more transparent with ratepayers.

• Adelaide City Councillor Robert Simms calls for corflute ban

Adelaide City councillors would have to disclose private conversations with developers under an elected member’s push to “bring a new era of transparency” to the council.

Cr Robert Simms wants council staff to prepare a report into setting up an online register where councillors must log discussions they have with developers.

The register would have to be updated within 10 days of the conversation.

Cr Simms said the move would increase ratepayers’ faith in the council and its decisions.

“It would ensure that there is no perception of bias or secrecy because all the information would be there on public record,” Cr Simms said.

“I am sure that members have contact with developers and a range of other stakeholders, and I am not suggesting anything untoward about that, but the … lack of transparency, is something that would be concerning for members of the community.

“I think this brings a new era of transparency and accountability.”

Cr Simms has based his push on a policy in The City of Vincent Council in Western Australia.

Under that policy, contact is defined as any sort of foreseen, planned, solicited or reciprocated communication via telephone, email, text message, multimedia messaging service, fax, social media, registered mail and face-to-face contact.

Vincent Council’s elected members must record developer names, date and time of contact, properties the developer has an interest in and issues discussed on a register.

Cr Simms’ push has been shunned by acting Lord Mayor Houssam Abiad who branded the move “political grandstanding”.

“First and foremost, the City of Adelaide elected body does not, under any circumstance, make decisions with regards to approving or denying development in out city,” Mr Abiad said.

“These decisions are reserved for the Council Assessment Panel (CAP) and State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP).

“Developers are also ratepayers in our city, and it is our obligation at all times to engage with anyone that wishes to further the interest of Adelaide.”

The council will vote on Cr Simm’s motion tonight.