At Monday’s Council meeting Greens’ Alderman and mayoral candidate Helen Burnet will ask her fellow aldermen to reveal how they voted regarding the contribution Hobart City Council committed to the Myer development.
“The general public has a right to know how aldermen voted on the Myer development. In fact, I have been asked about this when speaking to the people of Hobart at their front doors and on the streets, whilst campaigning over the past weeks,” Alderman Burnet said.
Alderman Burnet believes that the release of the Council’s Annual Report, which revealed how much financial support was provided for the commercial development was a welcome step towards transparency. It revealed some but not all of the costs set aside for this project at various milestones – $7m for Myer and more to Kalis – a cap on rates and waiving of some fees.
“These are seen by many ratepayers and the public a very high price to pay. It may also seem to be an unfair advantage to one developer over another, and big business over small businesses.
“The people of Hobart would be better served if it was made public as to how aldermen voted on the Myer decision. Perhaps Council could make any decision on major development incentives and significant spends a much more transparent process.
“I am not convinced that the majority of Hobart thinks that up to $14 million on a commercial development was the best use of ratepayers’ money.
“My motion will provide the opportunity for each of the sitting alderman to declare how they voted,” she ended.
