Ben Moroney, the Greens councillor on Campbelltown Council, says he and his party are opposed to Lang Walker’s financial involvement in the local bid for an A-League licence.
Mr Walker, the executive chairman of Walker Corporation, was initially appointed business ambassador for the bid, but announced earlier this week that he would take a shareholding if the bid was successful.
Calling the announcement “shocking’’, Cr Moroney said it “has the potential for serious damage to the public perception of the council’’.
“The Greens opposed Lang Walker’s initial appointment as an ambassador to the Macarthur United campaign, due to the potential for clouding all council’s future relations with other stakeholders and most importantly, the community,’’ Cr Moroney said.
“Equally concerning is the announcement of Walker Constructions as a ‘strategic partner’ in the future upgrade and development of Campbelltown’s sporting facilities.
“This marks the creation of a long term business relationship with a property developer, and is not an appropriate relationship for any council to create,” Cr Moroney said.
“Without casting any aspersions on Mr Walker, this has now tied Walker Corporation into a relationship that could be perceived as granting Mr Walker, and his company, special access and relationships to Councillors and Council staff.’’
In response, the Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr George Brticevic, said that the United for Macarthur A-League bid, while led by Campbelltown City Council, was a community bid, and Mr Walker’s relationship was with an incorporated body, not with Council.
“Council’s procurement activities are conducted in accordance with relevant legislation while ensuring the highest level of probity,’’ Cr Brticevic said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“I, therefore, strongly refute any suggestion of ‘perceived special access’ for the Walker Corporation.[/social_quote]
“I’m disappointed that a councillor would make these inaccurate assertions and is not willing to put his community first in what will be a great lift for Campbelltown City, and the wider Macarthur community.
“By supporting the A-League bid, Council aims to provide our city with an economic boost, foster a sense of community pride and inspire and provide pathways for our young players.
“We are working towards an even better Campbelltown within the appropriate governance framework.
“I am sorry Cr Moroney’s priorities lie elsewhere,’’ Cr Brticevic said.
The South West Voice offered Mr Walker the opportunity to comment about Mr Moroney’s position, but we have not yet received a response.
It’s called sponsorship. It’s kind of a big thing in the sporting world and most sensible people won’… https://t.co/XPuMm9nERi
Whilst I have some empathy with the Greens on some issues I find this shallow characteristic branding of Walker as some sleaze is the same course that were directed at me when I was on Campbelltown Council and had a real estate business. On one occasion I was voted off the development committee on the basis that I might benefit from some inside info but then replaced me with one of the biggest property owner in the area. In this stage of state planning local councils have very little say in rezoning or development so we should be gracious in the accepting of financial support from anyone particularly local developers.