Wednesday, 13 August 2003

The Editor
The Southern Courier

Randwick Councillors Should Distance Themselves from Development Industry Lobbyists

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 Randwick Council resolved the contentious 11 Tower Street development application last night.

There was an interesting seating arrangement at the Councillor's dinner tables after the meeting.

Mayor Dominic Sullivan, Deputy Mayor Michael Daley, our public relations officer and two most senior planning officers were seated at one table with ex South Sydney Labor Mayor Vic Smith.

Vic was also present at the last meeting that debated 11 Tower Street and at various times when Kensington Town Centre redevelopment issues have come up.

Vic has now clearly found a new role as either a consultant or a lobbyist for the development industry.

There is nothing wrong with this - everyone needs a job. And I'm sure that Council has, or will be billing him for the food and drink that he has consumed at the rate payers expense.

It is the privilege of the Mayor to determine who can be invited to the Council dinners.

But the choice the Mayor made last night presented an unfortunate image that unfairly put our professional staff in an appalling situation.

Randwick's top elected representatives and top planning and public relations staff were seen to be sitting around a dinner table together with an obviously well connected development consultant.

I believe that it is inappropriate for Councillor Dominic Sullivan to be using the office of Mayor of Randwick to facilitate this type of relationship.

Randwick City Greens Councillor
Murray Matson