Earlier this month I commented:

“Perhaps it is time we ban real estate agents from serving on councils? I am in the process of compiling a current occupation list of my former local council in Sydney. I know when I lived there there were several real estate agents sitting on council. So stay tuned…”

Eventually the local council in question came back with this response:

“Receipt is acknowledged of your request for the above information, but unfortunately it must be advised that we are not able to help to any extent. The various Regulations related to Local Government Elections and candidacy do not require councillors to provide personal details such as you are seeking. Accordingly, the Council does not hold that sort of information on its files, although the Council’s web site does list the current Councillors and their respective political affiliations, plus contact details for each Councillor. It is regretted that more assistance cannot be provided, but you are nevertheless wished all the best with your project.”

But I managed to make contact with a local residents action group who have been campaign for ecologically sustainable development in the area. They confirmed that of the ten councillors, three have an interest in real estate, building or property development. Of the three, one is an real estate agent. “In previous councils here, we have had up to 4 estate agents of 12 councillors.” I wonder how other councils in Australia measure up?