When Adelaide City area councillor Robert Simms took up a seat as a Greens Senator in Federal Parliament, he left behind a spot on Council that has attracted an unprecedentedly large field of candidates. All 13 of them were sent our ten question pop quiz - see how they fared here.
November 24, 2015
Commerce
Ten questions with the Council candidates
Local Government has rarely seen a competition as popular and intense as that currently taking place for the position of Adelaide City area councillor left vacant by Robert Simms. With 13 people lining up for a spot that would usually be contested by only about four candidates, its clear that the fate of Adelaide is attracting more interest than ever before.
We sent all 13 candidates the same ten questions so you can understand their stance on everything from food truck regulation to whether dogs should be allowed in bars, before voting closes on December 7.
All candidates were asked to keep their answers short and to the point, and there are two – Kelly Henderson and Lauren Nguyen – who did not respond by deadline. The rest are ready-to-read below.
1) What’s more important – supporting entrepreneurs or attracting big business headquarters to South Australia?
Entrepreneurs for sure. Most innovation and new ideas come from small companies.
2) Is it the Council’s responsibility to make a good city for ratepayers or a good city for all South Australians?
For both; things good for one are usually good for the other too.
3) What is the first thing Council should do to improve the experience of people with disabilities in the city and North Adelaide?
Survey a group of those with disabilities about what they need most and fight for consensus view to be realised.
4) What is the first thing Council should do to make the city and North Adelaide more environmentally sustainable?
Expand solar on Central Market Roof to set a benchmark for other big property owners.
5) Should we invest in car parking facilities or invest in cycling facilities?
Both; more parking for residents and city employees; cycling to build a grid of safe routes for all.
6) Should dogs be allowed in bars?
If dogs are safe and calm elsewhere, then OK to be in bars too.
7) Where is the ideal location for a city skate park?
Near public transport; near residential areas; near greenery, but not using up our park(land)s.
8) Which is more important – preservation or development?
Both are equal to me, and fully compatible too with each other if done carefully with careful design.
9) Should the food truck regulations be more or less restrictive than they are now? Or are they perfect?
Fair compromise for now; I see more food trucks in Adelaide over time as businesses migrate to more mobile operations.
10) What demographic / group should be the main target of the Council’s push to increase residential population in the CBD?
The young and/or entrepreneurial, to boost us as a city of firsts, and make us #1 worldwide for liveability.
1) What’s more important – supporting entrepreneurs or attracting big business headquarters to South Australia?
Statistically entrepreneurs in small business are the most vital part of the Australian economy and are the biggest employers.
2) Is it the Council’s responsibility to make a good city for ratepayers or a good city for all South Australians?
The Council’s priority should primarily be focused on ratepayers. The latter will follow.
3) What is the first thing Council should do to improve the experience of people with disabilities in the city and North Adelaide?
Conduct focus groups with people living with disabilities. Listen and act.
4) What is the first thing Council should do to make the city and North Adelaide more environmentally sustainable?
Provide incentives to property developers to build and refit buildings to a 5-star energy efficiency rating.
5) Should we invest in car parking facilities or invest in cycling facilities?
I am a supporter of low cost cark parking. City small business people want customers in the city and not at the outer suburb shopping centres.
6) Should dogs be allowed in bars?
Assistance dogs yes. Otherwise no.
7) Where is the ideal location for a city skate park?
Indoors, around the East End.
8) Which is more important – preservation or development?
A mix. As an example, just look at the Western Stand at Adelaide Oval.
9) Should the food truck regulations be more or less restrictive than they are now? Or are they perfect?
The Council’s current policy strikes the right balance.
10) What demographic / group should be the main target of the Council’s push to increase residential population in the CBD?
With the Aussie dollar low, the Council should be working with the universities to target international students to live in Adelaide.
1) What’s more important – supporting entrepreneurs or attracting big business headquarters to South Australia?
AuthentiCITY – make Adelaide a boutique city. Support the cultural, social and tech-prenuers and the big boys will come.
2) Is it the Council’s responsibility to make a good city for ratepayers or a good city for all South Australians?
CapaCITY- Both. Adelaide needs to be great for locals AND a capital city
3) What is the first thing Council should do to improve the experience of people with disabilities in the city and North Adelaide?
LoquaCITY – Talk to them, lots, and ask them what they need to make this city a city for everyone.
4) What is the first thing Council should do to make the city and North Adelaide more environmentally sustainable?
OrganiCITY – Plant more trees, reduced urban heat, provides shade, is beautiful.
5) Should we invest in car parking facilities or invest in cycling facilities?
VeloCITY – Adelaide is the perfect walking and cycling city. North/south, east/west pathways.
6) Should dogs be allowed in bars?
ErgodiCITY – Depends on the bar, the dog and the owner. Or start-up a special dog bar …
7) Where is the ideal location for a city skate park?
ConcentriCITY – Park 27, River Torrens frontage, west of Morphett Bridge, easy walk to train. Perfect spot.
8) Which is more important – preservation or development?
IconiCITY – There is no future if you don’t respect the past. We need both to work hand in hand.
9) Should the food truck regulations be more or less restrictive than they are now? Or are they perfect?
SimpliCITY – They should be easy to understand, apply for, and flexible.
10) What demographic / group should be the main target of the Council’s push to increase residential population in the CBD?
DomestiCITY – 20-24 year-olds, student, creative industries, young families = energy, vibrancy, endeavour, community.
1) What’s more important – supporting entrepreneurs or attracting big business headquarters to South Australia?
Small business is the backbone to our city’s future growth, as the small business flourishes, we can attract larger business to set up headquarter in Adelaide. We need to copy the model of Singapore, in that it is small, yet strong in economy.
2) Is it the Council’s responsibility to make a good city for ratepayers or a good city for all South Australians?
Adelaide is part of South Australia, and its economy depends on the well beings of South Australia. It is important to make Adelaide a good city foremost for the ratepayer, and at the end, it is the capital city of South Australia, and should set the benchmark for all South Australian.
3) What is the first thing Council should do to improve the experience of people with disabilities in the city and North Adelaide?
Raise the awareness of the issue among the population in City and North Adelaide, and invest in infrastructure to make the people with disabilities easier to move around the city.
4) What is the first thing Council should do to make the city and North Adelaide more environmentally sustainable?
Really maintaining the well being of our parkland.
5) Should we invest in car parking facilities or invest in cycling facilities?
We should have a balance in between, most of the business people do drive to come to city, and as such we need to have more and easier to access car parking facilities. We should invest in cycling facilities, and by encouraging more people to cycle to work, it will enhance the health standard of the population, and it will also be environmentally friendly. However, it is important to educate the motor vehicle user to co-exist well with the cyclists.
6) Should dogs be allowed in bars?
I am a dog lover, and used to have a Rhodesian Ridgeback. We should encourage new business to start to incorporate the idea of dog friendly bar, similar to dog friendly café.
7) Where is the ideal location for a city skate park?
City Skate Park should be located in an area to attract more younger people to use, and that city skate park should be in a location where it is more central, and we should used our facilities more often, hence Victoria Square would be an ideal place.
8) Which is more important – preservation or development?
I think it is the chicken or egg question, in my opinion, it is important to preserve our heritage and parkland as the corner stone to our future’s development, however, we really need to enhance our economy, hence we would be in position to advocate the notion of preservation of our heritage and parkland.
9) Should the food truck regulations be more or less restrictive than they are now? Or are they perfect?
Food truck introduce a spirit of entrepreneurship, however, I think the system can be tweaked a bit better in that the fund collected should be used to use to the small businesses which have the food trucks nearby to help the small businesses to grow.
10) What demographic / group should be the main target of the Council’s push to increase residential population in the CBD?
I think it is important to harness the international student, especially their international business connection through their families in their home country. I will advocate for the city council to utilise or harness the international business connection of the international student, and build a platform between the international student and the local businesses, hence the international student can help the local business to grow by utilising its business connection in their home countries.
1) What’s more important – supporting entrepreneurs or attracting big business headquarters to South Australia?
Both. Adelaide needs to be open to being a cost effective place to do business large and small.
2) Is it the Council’s responsibility to make a good city for ratepayers or a good city for all South Australians?
The ACC should accept the responsibility of a capital city for all city users.
3) What is the first thing Council should do to improve the experience of people with disabilities in the city and North Adelaide?
Immediate upgrade of the City South tram stop.
4) What is the first thing Council should do to make the city and North Adelaide more environmentally sustainable?
Continue investment in carbon-neutrality programmes.
5) Should we invest in car parking facilities or invest in cycling facilities?
Invest in cycling, freeze parking costs.
6) Should dogs be allowed in bars?
Leave it up to the licensee, like it is with patrons!
7) Where is the ideal location for a city skate park?
Ideal = Rundle Park or Kadlitpina. Practical = Park 24 or Tampawardli.
8) Which is more important – preservation or development?
Given that preservation is already a core value of ACC then development is now the key.
9) Should the food truck regulations be more or less restrictive than they are now? Or are they perfect?
Mobile vendors must be on a level playing field to fixed tenants, better discussion of balance is needed.
10) What demographic / group should be the main target of the Council’s push to increase residential population in the CBD?
First home owners.
1) What’s more important – supporting entrepreneurs or attracting big business headquarters to South Australia?
It’s my experience that entrepreneurs tend to remember their roots and look after local jobs better than large businesses. Entrepreneurs!
2) Is it the Council’s responsibility to make a good city for ratepayers or a good city for all South Australians?
For a typical suburban council the focus is on ratepayers, ACC has to balance needs of both ratepayers and visitors.
3) What is the first thing Council should do to improve the experience of people with disabilities in the city and North Adelaide?
Disability access is a large focus of mine, a good start would be flattening all the footpaths.
4) What is the first thing Council should do to make the city and North Adelaide more environmentally sustainable?
Make it easier for residents and communities to plant trees and small gardens. Lets ditch the red tape!
5) Should we invest in car parking facilities or invest in cycling facilities?
Cycling, we have enough car parks (I would advocate council lowers the fees so people can afford to park)
6) Should dogs be allowed in bars?
Working dogs yes, absolutely.
7) Where is the ideal location for a city skate park?
I don’t have a preferred location, somewhere close to public transport and amenities. But the sooner the better!
8) Which is more important – preservation or development?
A good council can do both. Heritage is important, we need to protect it; but we are a growing city.
9) Should the food truck regulations be more or less restrictive than they are now? Or are they perfect?
Less restrictive
10) What demographic / group should be the main target of the Council’s push to increase residential population in the CBD?
Entrepreneurs and young couples.
1) What’s more important – supporting entrepreneurs or attracting big business headquarters to South Australia?
Neither as we need to do both to have a financially prosperous CBD.
2) Is it the Council’s responsibility to make a good city for ratepayers or a good city for all South Australians?
ACC needs to, and can, make the city good by meeting all local, metropolitan and state wide needs – as well as the needs of interstate and overseas visitors.
3) What is the first thing Council should do to improve the experience of people with disabilities in the city and North Adelaide?
Keep working on disability compliant infrastructure and access as it has.
4) What is the first thing Council should do to make the city and North Adelaide more environmentally sustainable?
Double the number of large canopy, shade giving, street trees.
5) Should we invest in car parking facilities or invest in cycling facilities?
Both. We need multi-access for the city, including improved public transport, for the city to keep growing.
6) Should dogs be allowed in bars?
Hadn’t thought about it but I am open to the idea. Happens overseas quite happily.
7) Where is the ideal location for a city skate park?
There are many suitable locations which would work better for one group or another.
8) Which is more important – preservation or development?
Neither, as we need to both preserve those heritage and character buildings which give Adelaide its’ soul and point of difference, and have respectful development to meet future needs. The city’s heritage buildings and park lands are the combined point of difference for Adelaide, like Sydney Harbour is for Sydney. Destroy that and Adelaide becomes another non-descript city.
9) Should the food truck regulations be more or less restrictive than they are now? Or are they perfect?
The numbers should be set to meet demand from all potential operators. Food trucks add variety and fun for city workers and users.
10) What demographic / group should be the main target of the Council’s push to increase residential population in the CBD?
The market will determine this, not Council policy. It seems that circa 2015 there is most demand for apartment style living in the CBD. This is fuelled by singles, young pre-child couples, students and “overseas” investors such as Australian Chinese parents of students. Some retirees. The market will change in due course as it always does.
1) What’s more important – supporting entrepreneurs or attracting big business headquarters to South Australia?
Both – they will feed off each other!
2) Is it the Council’s responsibility to make a good city for ratepayers or a good city for all South Australians?
Ratepayers – we need to retain our residents and businesses.
3) What is the first thing Council should do to improve the experience of people with disabilities in the city and North Adelaide?
Commuter bus – boarding area and increase the city and North Adelaide route.
4) What is the first thing Council should do to make the city and North Adelaide more environmentally sustainable?
Continue solar power and water tank incentives with possibility of a community power project.
5) Should we invest in car parking facilities or invest in cycling facilities?
We have enough car parks – more cycle facilities especially in heavily visited city areas.
6) Should dogs be allowed in bars?
On leash with publican’s approval …. love my dog!
7) Where is the ideal location for a city skate park?
Close to rail, tram, bus transport & car park… North Western parklands.
8) Which is more important – preservation or development?
Should go hand in hand – development with preservation in mind!
9) Should the food truck regulations be more or less restrictive than they are now? Or are they perfect?
Not perfect but should let market and public forces establish what is ideal.
10) What demographic / group should be the main target of the Council’s push to increase residential population in the CBD?
Retain and support present population and with increase in services the city will become more attractive to people outside the city and internationally.
1) What’s more important – supporting entrepreneurs or attracting big business headquarters to South Australia?
Both are important, but the latter is cheaper!
2) Is it the Council’s responsibility to make a good city for ratepayers or a good city for all South Australians?
Again both, ratepayers are only here because it’s a great city.
3) What is the first thing Council should do to improve the experience of people with disabilities in the city and North Adelaide?
Find out from advocacy groups what their most realisable goals are that council can [needs to] assist on.
4) What is the first thing Council should do to make the city and North Adelaide more environmentally sustainable?
More city greening; trees are cheap, remove carbon, and cool the city
5) Should we invest in car parking facilities or invest in cycling facilities?
We have plenty of car-parks, but cycling infrastructure does need investment
6) Should dogs be allowed in bars?
Only if they’re 18 or older, or accompanied by a guardian?
7) Where is the ideal location for a city skate park?
Anywhere, but soon! (the problem is there isn’t one, not so much where it is)
8) Which is more important – preservation or development?
Development, but it needn’t be at the cost of preserving our cities assets.
9) Should the food truck regulations be more or less restrictive than they are now? Or are they perfect?
Less restrictive; there’s better ways to support small business than restricting food trucks!
10) What demographic / group should be the main target of the Council’s push to increase residential population in the CBD?
Young professionals
1) What’s more important – supporting entrepreneurs or attracting big business headquarters to South Australia?
Help local entrepreneurs to become big businesses.
2) Is it the Council’s responsibility to make a good city for ratepayers or a good city for all South Australians?
We are the capital – it needs to be both.
3) What is the first thing Council should do to improve the experience of people with disabilities in the city and North Adelaide?
Ensure the free bus is convenient, better promotion of available services and consult with them to develop improvements.
4) What is the first thing Council should do to make the city and North Adelaide more environmentally sustainable?
Maximise efficient car use around city, encourage use and develop better public transport infrastructure. Creatively greening spaces and buildings.
5) Should we invest in car parking facilities or invest in cycling facilities?
Parking where needed but focus on change to better alternative public transport infrastructure including cycling.
6) Should dogs be allowed in bars?
No
7) Where is the ideal location for a city skate park?
Nearer where the youth gather to socialise and transport connections.
8) Which is more important – preservation or development?
Developments that fit the character of the precincts and are sympathetic to our heritage.
9) Should the food truck regulations be more or less restrictive than they are now? Or are they perfect?
Encourage more people into the city then we can be innovative and relaxed with the food regulations.
10) What demographic / group should be the main target of the Council’s push to increase residential population in the CBD?
University students to families.
1) What’s more important – supporting entrepreneurs or attracting big business headquarters to South Australia?
While both are definitely important, I’d focus on what I know – entrepreneurs.
2) Is it the Council’s responsibility to make a good city for ratepayers or a good city for all South Australians?
It is both! Thanks to the City of Adelaide Act 1998.
3) What is the first thing Council should do to improve the experience of people with disabilities in the city and North Adelaide?
To be honest, I haven’t spoken to many about this and wouldn’t want to assume. I’d get talking.
4) What is the first thing Council should do to make the city and North Adelaide more environmentally sustainable?
Aim to be carbon neutral ASAP (the current target and plan is for 2020 – accelerate it).
5) Should we invest in car parking facilities or invest in cycling facilities?
Cycling. With the aim to grow the population in the CBD it will be crucial
6) Should dogs be allowed in bars?
If someone wanted to open a dog-friendly bar then sure. Generally, no.
7) Where is the ideal location for a city skate park?
Very complex, and depends on how much can be invested to make it work. RAH? North-West? Top of a carpark?
8) Which is more important – preservation or development?
Ah, false dichotomies. Development.
9) Should the food truck regulations be more or less restrictive than they are now? Or are they perfect?
Less restrictive than the recent rushed changes.
10) What demographic / group should be the main target of the Council’s push to increase residential population in the CBD?
Young adults – the kind that would otherwise move interstate.
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