THE QUESTION of whether real estate agents and property developers should be allowed to stand for Council has been hotly debated this week.
There are four real estate agents on various teams contending next month’s local government elections.
Labor’s Wil Constable has already voiced his concerns in Voice of Byron, and Echonetdaily has also run copy on the subject.
The four Council candidates running for Council are:
- Gail Fuller, director of Byron Coastal Real estate with Kirsty Harland, who works in her office.
- Rose Wanchap, Principal/Licensee of Red Rose Realty, Byron Bay
- Brian Grant, professional representative from GNF Real Estate, Bangalow
The two lines of thought as to whether Councillors should also be real estate agents or developers are:
- Councillors who have any conflict of interest in any matter under consideration by Council must leave the room while a vote is taken. This is the status quo in Councils throughout New South Wales.
- Councillors who are property developers or real estate agents can have a major effect on overall Council policies regarding development, and can help create an environment favourable towards development in the Shire, without having to leave the room when a vote is taken. This results in more land zonings being changed and more developments being passed, so therefore more houses can be sold and more property sales commissions to be made.
In the end, Byron Shire voters will decide on September 10.