Further red tape seen in developer register pitch
A REGISTER of interactions between Hobart City Council elected members and developers and lobbyists should be created to ensure a higher level of transparency and accountability, says a councillor.
Bill Harvey has submitted a notice of motion for Monday night’s council meeting calling for staff to prepare a report on the development of a council policy and process for the registration of lobbyists and developers and to record interactions with elected members.
Cr Harvey said such registers existing at a state and federal government level and some Australian councils had started to follow suit.
“What we’ve seen in the last couple of years is quite a number of projects which are supported by public relations companies,” he said.
“It seems to be happening much more now than it did in the past.
“They’re being paid to present the positive aspects of developments to the community in order to sway opinion. I think there needs to be more transparency so people are aware who is promoting certain developments.”
Cr Harvey said it would provide greater certainty for elected members to know whether they were interacting with the community or paid lobbyists.
“You’ve got a concerted effort from public relations companies with regard to the cable car, the [New Town] hospital and other major developments and not just in Hobart,” he said.
“We need to show we’re not being unduly influenced by developers and lobbyists trying to win our votes when we need to be basing decisions on the planning scheme.”
Spokesman for New Town residents concerned about the Tasman Private Hospital proposal David Reilly said the group supported the proposal.
“When lobbyists get involved in planning, it often leaves the residents fighting with one hand tied behind their back,” he said.
But, Alderman Simon Behrakis said creating a lobbyist register would “add another layer of bureaucracy to make it that much harder to get anything done in Hobart.”
“If this is a route council wanted to go down, I’d suggest it should be part of the Local Government Act review,” he said.
“Developers will just go to other municipalities where they’re more welcome and the word ‘developer’ isn’t a dirty word.
“I’d also question whether groups like the Bicycle Network or the Tasmanian Conservation Trust or Hobart Not Highrise would be included in this list.”
A response to the notice of motion from council’s general manager Nick Heath on the meeting agenda said while it was a policy decision for council, it was recognised similar registers had been implemented in other jurisdictions.
“It should be noted many of these jurisdictions had experienced systemic governance issues which necessitated the development of such policies,” the response said.
“Consultation would also occur with the Director of Local Government and the Integrity Commission.”