Yarra Council Greens candidate Sophie Wade under fire for Piedimonte’s conflict of interest
A Greens candidate for Yarra Council who finds it “repugnant” when “people are not clear in whose interests they are acting” has not publicly disclosed her conflict of interest which could have ramifications for a major Fitzroy North development squabble.
Melbourne City
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A Greens candidate for Yarra Council will not be able to vote on a key development application if elected.
Lawyer Sophie Wade has not publicly disclosed she works at the law firm acting for developers including Piedimonte’s Supermarket.
Ms Wade is running on a ticket with fellow Greens candidate Amanda Stone to fill two spots on the council representing Nicholls Ward.
Ms Wade’s firm Norton Rose Fulbright is representing Piedimonte’s Supermarket at it’s Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal appeal.
In a statement seen by the Melbourne City News, Ms Wade confirmed her work at the firm was separate to the Piedimonte’s application.
However, Ms Wade confirmed that if elected she would excuse herself from voting on any matters pertaining to Piedimonte’s and its mega-development plan.
“I’m running for Council because I love our area and believe I would do a good job of representing the people in it.
“If I was elected, we would sort out a longer term plan to manage any actual or perceived conflicts of interest – for example (and this is only an example), I could not vote on any matters in which my firm is acting,” Ms Wade said in her statement.
“As a lawyer, I’m extremely conscious of conflicts of interest.
“Personally, I find it repugnant when people are not clear in whose interests they are acting.”
Ms Wade was asked why she did not publicly disclose this information to voters, but did not provide a response.
The Fitzroy North supermarket giant is determined to redevelop it’s Best St site into a retail and residential mecca but plans were rejected by the council in May this year.
Piedimonte’s almost immediately appealed the decision to VCAT with the matter slated to be heard this December.
The controversial development slap bang in the middle of the Nicholls Ward is a hot issue opposed by many in the community.
Eagle-eyed locals who spotted the conflict of interest are angry Ms Wade has not publicly disclosed her Piedimonte’s link.
Yarra activist Greg Spark – a long time Nicholls Ward resident – said he was “deeply concerned” with Ms Wade’s link to Piedimonte’s.
“Someone is running to represent us who could be conflicted out of the most important planning decision in the area,” Mr Spark said.
“We want someone who will fight for locals against the Piedimonte’s inappropriate development.”
Ms Wade’s conflict of interest would leave only two Nicholls able to vote on further Piedimonte’s matters.
This would include the development if VCAT remits the application back to the council.
Regardless councillors will need to decide whether Piedimonte’s gets to take a council-owned laneway as part of the redevelopment.
A respondent on the Piedimonte’s appeal – who did not wish to be named – said this was a “critical piece of information” which would “influence how I vote in the election”.
Piedimonte’s is desperate to transform its Best St site into a seven-storey complex with 66 apartments, a three-level underground carpark, a refurbished supermarket, a rooftop terrace, a cafe and a bottle shop.
However, the plan was outright rejected by councillors at a special Yarra Council meeting held on May 21.
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Contact Grace at grace.mckinnon@news.com.au