THE new-look Albany City Council got off to a shaky start with its first meeting on Tuesday night.
One newly-elected councillor immediately put himself at odds with fellow members over future developments.
Cr David Bostock claimed there was too much land available in Albany and no need for more development.
He foreshadowed his intention to bring a motion at the November meeting that no further planning scheme amendments be considered.
His other items included being able to approach the City’s lawyers at any time to discuss council decisions.
Cr Bostock raised the ire of some councillors when he spoke against accepting a tender from a local firm despite it being only 1.5 per cent more than an out-of-town company.
He said he didn’t believe in the buy-local policy and preferred to save money at every turn.
Albany City Motors eventually won the tender for a truck-mounted elevated work platform because of the preference given to local suppliers.
Cr Bostock said the money saved in this instance could have been used for “a party for electors”.
One councillor said it was important to support local business.
Elected at the local government elections representing Vancouver Ward, Cr Bostock serves in Council alongside his wife, Cr Jill Bostock, who represents Breaksea Ward.
He replaced Kim Stanton who was a hard-working member of many committees, both as a councillor and citizen.
Cr Bostock was quick to remind Mayor Milton Evans that “you’ll get to know my name soon” when he spoke against an item brought forward at the meeting.
His ideas were in contrast to Cr Dennis Wellington who returned to council after losing the Mayoral race in 2007.
He was elected by seven votes to five as Deputy Mayor to replace Cr Des Wolfe.
Mayor Milton Evans welcomed his appointment.
“We are going to have a very busy time,” Mayor Evans said.
Cr Wellington said it was important to build a team by opening the lines of communication between all councillors.
He said it was important for the City to go forward in a positive manner.
Cr Wellington, with 49.32 per cent of the vote in Frederickstown Ward, defeated former councillor Vera Torr (29.3 per cent) and Scott Deveson (21.38 per cent).
Ms Torr, who was in Council for six months, had a win later in the night when Council voted against clearing City reserve bushland at Millbrook which was earmarked for a gravel pit.
Ms Torr had lobbied Council to save the reserve at the September meeting.
The three other new councillors, Robert Sutton, Mervyn Leavesley and Ray Hammond, and returning Cr Don Dufty, were also sworn in.
All thanked electors for the confidence they showed in voting for them.
The meeting was still not complete, with Cr Robert Buegge’s seat remaining vacant after he resigned only weeks before the election.
A by-election will be required for the Kalgan Ward.
Council’s record of supporting developers despite recent criticism was defended at Tuesday night’s meeting.
Cr Roland Paver said Council had gone out of its way to support businessman Paul Lionetti’s proposed development on Stirling Terrace.
He said generous concessions had been made for car-parking spaces which had been disputed by Mr Lionetti, stopping him proceeding with the development.
Cr Paver said there had been many untruths levelled at Council and himself, giving an unfavourable impression to ratepayers, and it was important to put the record straight.
A recission motion he put to Council was not supported and the development was able to proceed unimpeded.
Cr Paver said he was not anti-development but wanted the proper procedures to take place.
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