Council candidate David Eldridge.
BALLARAT City Council candidate David Eldridge wants a register of councillor interests published on the council website.
Mr Eldridge, a Greens candidate, said it would make councillors more transparent and open about their personal interests.
Councillors are currently required to complete a register of interests that includes declarations of shares owned, property, land, board positions, corporate directorships and other positions.
“Being open and transparent about personal interests will serve to increase the trust people have in their council,” Mr Eldridge said.
“Victorian Greens MP Colleen Hartland has acted in parliament to ensure all councillor interest registers are published on council websites and all council candidates, councillors and MPs should support this move.
“Transparency and open government are key priorities for me and for the Greens at all levels of government. We’re not just about a clean environment, we’re about clean politics.”
Mr Eldridge also called for greater transparency and community consultation on the Ballarat saleyards relocation.
“The saleyards process has dawdled for four years. The community is locked out of the process by a commercial-in-confidence contract.
“It cannot be left to drift like the Civic Hall. It’s just not good enough.”
Mr Eldridge said the council shouldn’t be hiding behind “commercial-in-confidence’’ but should be involved in the site location decision, along with the community.
Saleyards operators Regional Infrastructure have previously said they will announce the new $18 million saleyards site in December.