Mayoral candidates make their case for Sydney

Mayoral candidates make their case for SydneyAll five candidates in the race for the top job as Lord Mayor of Sydney laid out their plans for jobs, prosperity and growth at a Property Council breakfast last week.Jane Fitzgerald, Property Council executive director in NSW, says a change in the business voting franchise will see almost 23,000 businesses have their say at the ballot box.”This means all candidates must take business voters more seriously than ever before,” Fitzgerald says.”When around 80 per cent of the city’s rates come from businesses – including property owners and tenants – it is important that business owners have a voice.”Incumbent Clover Moore, who is running for a fourth term, emphasised her record and promised that she would continue with proven, stable and ethical government. Moore also assured the audience she would work with the property sector to realise the recently-released draft Central Sydney Planning Strategy.Liberal candidate Christine Forster promised to listen to voters’ concerns, particularly around the draft Strategy, while Labor’s candidate Linda Scott said she believed Sydney could “do better for people”.Angela Vithoulkas told the audience that, as a building owner, tenant and business person, she was well-placed to represent the concerns of the property industry. Lindsay Johnstone, candidate for the Greens who is seeking his first position on the City of Sydney council, focused on his sustainability credentials.”The Property Council wants a vibrant and economically strong city and a lord mayor that will champion jobs, prosperity and growth – and we look forward to working with the new Lord Mayor to build a better Sydney,” Fitzgerald concludes.The election for the Council of the City of Sydney will be held on Saturday 10 September 2016.