Lord mayor says Hobart aldermen face code of conduct clash over over cable car commentary

HOBART aldermen risk breaching their code of conduct if they publicly comment on the cable car proposal, warns Lord Mayor Ron Christie.

Alderman Anna Reynolds speaking to cable car protesters on Saturday. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

ALDERMEN risk breaching their code of conduct if they publicly comment on the controversial cable car project, says Mayor Ron Christie.

The mayor’s warning comes after Ald Anna Reynolds addressed a 12-strong crowd at an impromptu rally held by Residents Opposed to the Cable Car and Respect the Mountain — No Cable Car groups at South Hobart on Saturday.

The groups were opposing the latest proposed cable car plans, as revealed by the Mercury, for a base station at Wellington Park with a new 2.5km road to be built adjacent to the McRobies Gully tip.

Aldermen Jeff Briscoe and Bill Harvey also attended the rally but did not speak publicly.

Ald Christie said aldermen considering re-election were too close to the issue and could be subject to scrutiny under law particularly if the development application was refused.

“If a development application comes before council prior to the election in the next 12 weeks, and I doubt it will, I will officially ask aldermen to seriously consider their professional position under the Local Government Act and council’s code of conduct, their personal interest of support for the project or perceived interest or bias against the project,” he said.

“I will also request that aldermen defer any cable car matters until a new council is elected.

Ald Christie and Ald Marti Zucco revealed their public backing of a cable car project to the Mercury in 2011.

Ald Anna Reynolds, who also attended the “Mountain Mayday” rally earlier in the year, defended her right to be at the rallies.

“I have attended these events to inform people about the extent and limits of council’s role and about the need for an open and transparent process,” she said.

“At all events I have attended on this issue, I have refrained from making comments for or against the cable car project.”

Ald Reynolds confirmed that a report dealing with the new link road would be placed on the open agenda for Thursday’s council parks and recreation committee meeting and made available to the public on its website from noon today.

Ald Zucco said, given Ald Reynolds was the parks and recreation committee chairwoman, she should not have attended the rallies.

“No alderman should be at a anti-cable car rally nor should they be at a pro-cable car rally,” he said.

In a Facebook post on June 28 to the Respect the Mountain — No Cable Car group, Ald Briscoe wrote: “I have called upon the Mt Wellington Cable Car Co. on ABC tonight to ‘kiss the mountain’ goodbye and abandon their doomed project”.

Ald Briscoe defended the comments saying they were made in relation to the refusal by Cascade Brewery to build the base on its land.

Ald Briscoe said it was hypocritical for both Ald Christie and Ald Zucco to suggest aldermen should refrain from commenting, given they have both supported a cable car project in the past.

An article printed in the Mercury in 2011 had Ald Zucco, Ald Christie and then lord mayoral candidates Peter Sexton and Damon Thomas joining forces to call on developers to submit plans.

The quartet said at the time that a cable car made sense for all-year access, easing traffic on Pinnacle Rd, tourism and the environment.

“Cable cars, ropeways or aerial tramways are successful tourist attractions worldwide, including Dunedin, San Francisco and Sugar Loaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro to mention a few,’’ Ald Christie said at the time.

“If an entrepreneur approaches Hobart with a similar viable concept for Mt Wellington then we, the council, should embrace it.’’

 

WHAT THE ALDERMANIC CODE OF CONDUCT SAYS

 

Decision making: An Alderman is to bring an open and unprejudiced mind to all matters being considered in the course of his or her duties, so decisions are made in the best interests of the community.

 

Conflict of interest: An Alderman effectively manages conflict of interest by ensuring that personal or private interests do not influence, and are not seen to influence, the performance of his or her role and acting in the public interest.

Representation: An Alderman is to represent himself or herself and the Council appropriately and within the ambit of his or her role, and clearly distinguish between his or her views as an individual and those of the Council.

 

Relationships with community, Aldermen and council employees: An Alderman is to be respectful in his or her conduct, communication and relationships with members of the community, fellow Aldermen and Council employees, in a way that builds trust and confidence in the Council.

 

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