Byron Shire Labor is calling on real estate agents and property developers to be banned from running from local council, including Byron Shire Council.

It is unrealistic to think that real estate agents and developers can totally remove their conflict of interest on the planning decisions of council.

There are a record number of real estate agents running for council this election, with at least four running. If they are elected, whose interest will they serve? It’s time to get the vested interests of the property industry out of our council.

The decision by the Greens to elect a real estate agent, Rose Wanchap, in 2012 has meant that while the community voted for a progressive council, we ended up with a conservative one. This has resulted in key decisions by council siding with the property industry, rather than making decision in the best interest of our community.

It is time to ban real estate agents and property developers from Byron Shire council.