With 32 days left, 7 candidates face off

A crowded field for the City of Perth’s lord mayoralty highlighted contrasting visions for the city’s future at this afternoon’s debate.

The debate, the fourth in this election cycle and the first hosted by the Property Council of Australia WA Division, took place about a month out from the election and less than one week before voters can begin mailing in their ballots.

Seven candidates have now declared their candidacy, with local businessman Bruce Reynolds launching his campaign just one day before the filing deadline.

Mr Reynolds had missed the first three events, which had been hosted by The 500 Club, East Perth Community Group and Events Industry Association, respectively.

Today’s event, moderated by the council’s executive director, Sandra Brewer, focused primarily on issues raised in the group’s policy platform released in August, which outlined the group’s support for cutting rates and pursuing the Perth City Deal in anticipation of the city housing 90,000 residents by 2050.

As part of that, Ms Brewer asked candidates to explain their stance on a variety of property-related issues, at one stage quizzing media personality Basil Zempilas on his support for levying higher rates on property owners with vacant commercial space.

Mr Zempilas declined to renounce that position this afternoon, saying the policy would further incentivise business activity in the city.

“Empty buildings can’t stay empty forever,” he said

“It’s a very straightforward approach.”

Those comments came as Ms Brewer has today referred to such an idea as “poor policy”, following the state government’s decision to extend the commercial and residential tenancy code past its September deadline.

“We need lower costs, not more costs," she said.

"And we need vital infrastructure, such as schools and playgrounds, in place to support a future residential population of 90,000 by 2050.

“We need to make sure all levels of government collaborate to ensure a Perth City Deal delivers economic diversity, more jobs and a thriving city centre.

“We need to deliver the best possible retail, commercial and tourism experience for the people who live, work and visit Perth.”

Parking levy comes under scrutiny

Mr Zempilas used his opening remarks at today's debate to call on the state government to either reduce or eliminate the parking levy charged to tenants who hold five or more parking bays.

That follows ongoing efforts by Activate Perth chair Di Bain to lobby Transport Minister Rita Saffioti to spend the close to $130 million believed to have accumulated as a result of the levy.

Just $21 million of that was spent in the most recent financial year.

Ms Bain has repeatedly called on the state government to spend those funds as post-COVID-19 stimulus since May.

Mr Zempilas echoed those calls this afternoon, saying the $1,300 charge was too high.

He said the state government should either reduce it by 20 to 30 per cent or eliminate it entirely.

“I want to incentivise parking,” he said.

Journalist and presenter Mark Gibson also said he would support pausing the parking levy.

It's now six days before the first votes in the City of Perth’s council election are cast. Where do the seven candidates for lord mayor stand on the issues?

Basil Zempilas

• Said his top priority remains cleaning the city so that it is friendlier and accessible for families.
• Doing so would be the greatest driver for bringing residents and visitors back to the city, he argued, and would drive economic growth.
• Said he would follow the model set by Queensland-based charity Beddown and use private carparks as shelter for the city’s rough sleepers.
• Echoed his support for bringing major events back to the CBD, such as the 2027 Special Olympics, Perth Festival’s “The Giants” and an as-yet untitled event similar to Sydney’s Vivid festival.

Mark Gibson

• Said he would lobby the state government to increase housing supply in the Perth metropolitan area by 15,000, with 14,000 homes to help house those currently on the social housing waitlist and another 1,000 to house rough sleepers.
• Said the state government could move faster than its current 10-year plan, with housing goals achievable within three to five years.
• Argued for increased lighting throughout the CBD to deter antisocial behaviour.

• Said the city need to have a greater focus on residential issues, with more schools, roads, supermarkets, a university, and festivals that prioritised pedestrian access.
• “These are the sort of basic amenities that will attract people back to the city,” he said. “If we bring people into the city ... our streets will be more safe."

Sandy Anghie

• Echoed her call to have the city focus on driving population and activity in each neighbourhood, and called on the property sector to coordinate in helping drive that approach.
• Outlined a 10-point plan for her first 100 days in office if elected, which included making parking free on weekends, allocating $2 million to fund safe night programs and creating a branded CAT bus route between the city’s major attractions.
• Said she would immediately review the city's budget and rates if elected, as well as pursue all of the recommendations outlined in the City of Perth inquiry’s report.

Tim Schwass

• Said property rates should remain frozen, noting that the rent on his own investment property in the city had dropped from about $1,300 a week to its current rate of $650.
• Emphasised his focus on transparency and promised to stream all council meetings if elected.
• Said he would relinquish the mayor’s car to transport homeless peoples to service providers.
• Argued for increased density through expedited planning approvals, and said heritage buildings needed refurbishing.

Di Bain

• Vowed that she would not factionalise if elected mayor or councillor, and that she had already declared all conflicts ahead of the election.
• “I’m here to say: never again,” she said.
• Called the right to shelter and a place to sleep a “human right”, and that she would pursue crisis accommodation solutions.
• “We all agree, on the need for more police, but we need to look at [solutions] that are within our control,” she said.
• Said the city must be prepared for when borders reopen by pursuing tax concessions for businesses that would like to relocate to Perth, appoint a business-led committee to oversee reduction in red tape and re-prioritise the city’s $14 million activation budget.

Brodie McCulloch

• Said he differed from other candidates in that he had proven he could execute and deliver ideas, having run his own business.
• Reiterated his promise to create a smart city, saying he simplify the voter registration process and provide data collected by the city to residents and potential investors.
• Said the lord mayor and council’s job is to create an environment for ideas to thrive as opposed to making them, which could be done through processes such as reducing approval times.

Bruce Reynolds

• Offered praise for each candidate in the race, but said that the pursuit of bold ideas must be paused to tackle immediate issues.
• Said the $7 million that had been spent on the city’s inquiry report could have sustained many of the city’s charities for up to 10 years.
• “If I make a promise, I’ll make sure my promise is achievable,” he said.
• Said he would like to activate Langley Park by bringing pools, beaches, cafes, and accessibility to the area.
• Argued the Retail Tenancy Act first authored in 1985 needed to be updated so that it was easier to follow.