Perth Voice Interactive

BAYSWATER councillors have dubbed a move to record and publicly list all their contact with developers as a “burden” on themselves and builders.

The plan — similar the policy Vincent council adopted in June — was dumped six votes to four. If supported, it would have required all councillors to list all interactions with developers “to introduce a level of accountability and transparency”.

Details for public display would include the developer’s name, date and time of contact, a list of other related parties and the nature of the issue discussed.

Councillors Chris Cornish and Michelle Sutherland spoke against it, labelling it red tape.

“I don’t like the vagueness of ‘developer’,” Cr Cornish said.

“Developers could be mums and dads who want to build something in their backyard, and wouldn’t want the burden of more stuff.”

Mayor Barry McKenna says in his 25 years on council, he’d never felt a need for such a register.

“I don’t want councillors bogged down in red tape. If it’s not broke, why are we trying to fix it?”

Cr Dan Bull, who led the charge for the register, says it would stop undue influence, and perceptions of influence, on decisions, and says being transparent is never a bad thing.

by EMMIE DOWLING