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Glenn Byres, NSW Executive Director
Property Council of Australia
The Property Council welcomes the NSW Government’s announcement that it will reform business voting in local government elections, following our campaign to restore the franchise to property owners.
The Government has listened to the voice of businesses in Sydney and other commercial centres, recognising that they contribute an enormous share of the rates base and underpin the economic prosperity, vibrancy and appeal of our cities.
Commercial property owners are long-haul investors in our CBDs and have a strategic interest in seeing them thrive. They deserve a say in how their council is run.
The creation of a permanent electoral roll for commercial property owners and businesses fulfils a basic democratic principle. The right to vote already exists but needs to be respected with a standing electoral roll – the same as afforded residential owners.
The current process of cleansing the roll after each council election is irrational and forces re-registration through a process that is narrow, complex and discourages participation.
The Property Council fully supports this reform, and will also urge the State Government to ensure it is extended beyond the City of Sydney to other council areas.
The same problem occurs elsewhere and the same policy solution should be implemented across all local government areas, particularly major commercial centres.
We look forward to seeing the draft Bill, along with the Government’s response to the Independent Local Government Review Panel’s report.