Subi councillor’s call to arms questioned

Cr Stroud last week delivered flyers to Subiaco residents around the site listing her concerns about the Finbar Group building application, including its seven-storey height, potential overshadowing of Hood Street and vehicle congestion.

‘If you have concerns, prepare a statement for the meeting, and fill the gallery! Media will respond!’ it said.

At its July 23 meeting, the City of Subiaco voted to refer the building application to the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority.

Subiaco Business Association president Geoff Parnell said Cr Stroud’s active lobbying was inconsistent with her role as presiding member of the economic and business sustainability committee.

‘Whilst a noisy council public gallery, as is being encouraged by Cr Stroud, has been known to influence council decisions, the noise is not necessarily representative of the wider community views,’ Mr Parnell said.

‘There is a need for an informed, rational, non-emotive and co-ordinated approach by all stakeholders that provides for inner city developments that maintain the character of Subiaco yet provide for increased density and diversity. Development and maintaining existing character are not incompatible.’

Cr Stroud said it was her job as councillor to inform the community.

‘I was certainly not trying to throw around my weight as a councillor ” I didn’t sign off the flyer as a councillor and I used my personal email,’ she said.

‘I fight from the facts, not from emotion.’

A Department of Local Government and Communities spokeswoman said it had received one complaint in the past six months about a Subiaco councillor that was found to be unsubstantiated. She said there was nothing in the Local Government Act 1995 that prevented a councillor from door-knocking or corresponding with electors.

‘The Department recommends that any correspondence should make reference that it is the personal view of the councillor and not that of the Council,’ she said.

Mayor Heather Henderson did not want to comment on whether Cr Stroud’s actions were a breach of the City’s code of conduct.