Councillor Terry Tyzack.
Camera IconCouncillor Terry Tyzack. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Stirling councillor says name on rec centre gives unfair advantage to Terry Tyzack in lead up to local election

Kate LeaverStirling Times

A CITY of Stirling councillor wants advertising for the Inglewood Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre stopped before the local election, claiming Councillor Tyzack could get an unfair advantage.

Cr Stephanie Proud urged councillors to “even the playing field” and remove Cr Tyzack’s name from the advertising for five months before the October local government elections.

“Publically advertising that person’s name is a distinct disadvantage for a potential candidate who will try for that ward at the upcoming election,” she said.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Cr Proud said there was no “inference” on Cr Tyzack.

“People get sensitive and antagonistic about this; this is simply about being transparent during an election,” she said.

“There could be a perception out there that the City may be doing the wrong thing here.”

A council report did not back the move, stating the centre’s success was partly based on newspaper and radio advertising along with banners and posters.

The report said stopping advertising for five months would result in a predicted loss of $401,025 and put the centre into an operating deficit for the year.

“Annually the centre spends $38,500 on advertising and this generates $921,561 of income,” the report said.

Cr David Lagan did not support the move, suggesting it would mean a member of staff would have to tape over Cr Tyzack’s name on signs, a comment he later retracted.

“I was in that position when I ran against him, it is unfortunate that his name is well known but there is no breach of the process here,” he said.

“City buildings should be named posthumously not while the person is still around, not that I’m hoping Cr Tyzack leaves us any time soon.”

Cr Mark Irwin said it would not make sense for a business to cease advertising for months at a time.

“Running for council against an incumbent councillor is going to be hard work and I would say suck it up,” he said.

The motion was lost but Cr Karen Caddy said she would have considered supporting it if advertising was only stopped in the few weeks leading up to the election.

Cr Tyzack has served a total of 38 years as a City councillor, two terms as Mayor and has represented local government on regional and state committees including the WA Planning Commission.

MORE: Netball charity tournament raises thousands for type 1 diabetes centre

MORE: Life Now: fighting back from cancer with help of youth exercise program

MORE: Surf Life Saving WA calls for shark sighting verification