Local Government Elections

Mr SPEIRS (Bright) (15:29): I rise today to speak about the renewed local governments which will soon be sworn in to the communities within my electorate following the conclusion of the three-week postal voting period on Friday and the counting of ballots over the weekend. As I have mentioned before in this place, I have a great interest in local government, having been a member of the City of Marion council prior to my election to state parliament. I learned a huge amount when I was on Marion council and it served as a great apprenticeship for my eventual election to this place.

I believe that local government is a tier of government that has a significant and immediate impact on the lives of its constituents, and a well-functioning, responsive council should be able to deliver good things for its communities and citizens. What makes a well-functioning council is open to conjecture, but I would suggest it includes effective working relationships between councillors and the mayor, between councillors and the chief executive officer, and between the mayor and councillors. Councillors with strong existing links into communities and a good knowledge and understanding of what makes their communities tick are also important traits. The best councillors on the councils I have dealt with were those who had strong, legitimate connections to their communities prior to their elections.

I have mentioned in a previous speech here that I believe local governments have a substantial role to play in developing their local economies, and I believe this is a function that is too often overlooked by elected members and their administrations. Some councils do this well, but others do it poorly or not at all. I would urge incoming councillors to keep economic development at the forefront of their minds and reflect on how every decision they make enhances or hinders their local business environment.

Councils should be looking to create an environment which helps business flourish, minimising bureaucracy and sweeping away unnecessary barriers to progress, change and innovation. Overzealous by-laws, planning regulations, approaches to rezoning, consistency of applying planning laws, rating policies and economic development strategies are all things that councils should have in their minds when they are working to achieve this.

The electorate of Bright is divided fairly evenly between two local government areas: the City of Marion, which includes Hallett Cove, Marino and part of Seacliff Park, and the City of Holdfast Bay, which includes the other part of Seacliff Park, Seacliff, Kingston Park, South Brighton, Brighton, Hove, North Brighton and Somerton Park. Both councils have achieved substantial change in their most recent round of elections.

In the City of Marion, long-serving mayor and influential local government figure, Felicity-ann Lewis, chose not to recontest her position and was replaced by Kris Hanna, who was elected unopposed. In Coastal Ward, we have two new councillors, with councillor Cheryl Connor retiring and the vacancy I created when I left needing to be filled. Ian Crossland, an active community member, police officer, key member of the Blue Light Disco movement, founding member of the Friends of the Lower Field River, and the man responsible for turning the Hallett Cove Surf Club into a must-visit local eatery, was elected with a result surpassing the required quota. He will be joined by longtime Marino resident, author, thoroughbred racing expert and active community member, Tim Gard.

In the other Marion ward which touches Bright, Southern Hills Ward, councillor Kathleen Allen returned, and councillor Frank Verrall was not re-elected, replaced by local Rotarian, small businesswoman and disability advocate Janet Byram, and stalwart of the Trott Park Community Centre, Nick Westwood.

In the City of Holdfast Bay, there have been some very significant changes to the council. Long-serving mayor, Dr Ken Rolland, was not re-elected after 12 years serving as mayor. Dr Rolland's public service should not be underestimated. He and his wife, Anne, have selflessly dedicated many years to serving the Holdfast Bay community and were regulars at almost every community event I attended within their jurisdiction during my time as a candidate and as an MP.

Dr Rolland has been replaced by former deputy mayor, Stephen Patterson. Mr Patterson is a 43-year-old father of four. He is a former Collingwood footballer, has a successful IT business and is an active surf lifesaver at Glenelg. I look forward to working with Mr Patterson as he provides a new focus for the City of Holdfast Bay and takes it forward for the next four years.

I also want to mention the new councillors in Seacliff Ward—an all-women team: well-known real estate agent Annette Bradshaw joins existing councillors Lynda Yates and Susan Lonie. In Brighton Ward, long-serving councillor Rosemary Clancy is joined by re-elected community member, Karen Donaldson, and by Bob Snewin, CEO of Craniofacial Australia and treasurer of the Royal Adelaide Show. I look forward to working very closely with the City of Holdfast Bay and the City of Marion as we work together to make our local communities the best that they can be.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: You are talking about this surf club that has great food: do they do good schnitzels?

Mr SPEIRS: Absolutely; in fact, Somerton Lifesaving Club has its $10 schnitzel night on Wednesday evenings, so if you would like to come dine as my guest—

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: You tempt us. Member for Kaurna.

Mr PICTON: We will have to have you down to Kaurna as well, Deputy Speaker.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I need to eat down south, yes.