Hornsby Councillor calls for end to lobbying loophole
A Sydney councillor has called for action to toughen up guidelines against developer influence, saying there is a gap in transparency rules. It comes after representatives of a developer called for its proposal to be considered before a masterplan for the Town centre was complete.
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A BID to prevent property developers lobbying Hornsby councillors has been sidelined, despite calls for greater transparency.
Greens councillor Emma Heyde called for Hornsby Council to support a notice of motion to include the Independent Commission Against Corruption guidelines against lobbying in its code of conduct, in an effort to “increase transparency”.
The motion comes amid questions over private meetings between councillors and property developers for multimillion dollar sites across the region.
“Lobbying is common in local government and the ICAC has a view that appropriate lobbying of councillors is normal and is seen as part of the democratic process,” Cr Heyde said.
“Developers and their consultants have meetings with senior council staff, and have approached the mayor and councillors for discussions about areas of the shire, including Hornsby town centre and Pennant Hills.
“It is in the public interest that lobbying is fair and does not undermine public confidence in impartial decision making.”
In September, councillors were notified by an executive staff member that Hornsby general manager Stephen Head was lobbied by representatives of the developer, Lyon Folkstone Group, about a town centre plan incorporating retail, apartments and a new library.
Cr Heyde said an email to the general manager called for councillors to consider including the $500 million proposal for the redevelopment of the Hornsby Library site, before a masterplan for the Hornsby town centre had been developed.
Cr Heyde said safeguards needed to be installed in council’s code of conduct.
Guidelines for dealing with property developers have been available to councils since they were implemented in 2006.
Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock said his dealings with developers were “incredibly transparent”.
“Let me be very clear on this matter,” he said.
“I would hope there were no unintended consequences of this notice of motion.
“If people have development issues I encourage them to have formal meetings with me and council officers. When you are involved with public life for as long as I have been, you ensure every meeting is transparent.
“I don’t know whether councillor Heyde thinks there are other issues of concerns, because she has not raised them with me.”
A Hornsby Council spokesman confirmed Lyon Folkstone approached the council to discuss ideas they had for the development of Hornsby town centre.
“Council’s general manager told Lyon Folkstone that a formal request to address council should be submitted in writing, which it was,” the spokesman said. “Council discussed the matter and agreed that it is too soon in the process to hear from stakeholders.
“Consultation with all stakeholders will be carried out as part of council’s planning for the Hornsby town centre.”
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