Adelaide City Council promises to do better on secret document hoard

ADELAIDE City Council has promised a more proactive approach to releasing confidential information, some of which dates back as far as 2003.

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ADELAIDE City Council has promised a more proactive approach to releasing confidential information, some of which dates back as far as 2003.

Analysis of the council’s 145-page confidential items register shows about 800 issues remain hidden from the public.

The register states that many items are set to be kept secret for years, including a council discussion from 2006 about a “carpark lease” which is scheduled for release in December 2030.

Another item on the appointment of the council’s chief executive officer from 2009 won’t be released “until the person no longer resides in the state of South Australia for a period of one year”, according to the register.

South Australian councils are required to review all confidential items each and every year.

However, the council’s director of services, Steve Mathewson, said it had implemented a more regular review process.

“Administration is now reviewing items on an ad hoc basis and submitting these for the CEO to review,” Mr Mathewson said.

“Once approved for release, these are immediately published on the City of Adelaide website.”

The council yesterday released the previously confidential documents relating to its purchase of the former Le Cornu site at 88 O’Connell St in North Adelaide.

The council paid developer Con Makris $34 million for the land in February.