State politics enters local council matters at tonight's Lismore City Council meeting when Councillor (Cr) Eddie Lloyd puts forward a motion on banning property developers running for council.

David Shoebridge MLC and member of the Green's has a bill before parliament (with no detailed text declared as this story is written) that states "An Act to amend the Local Government Act 1993 to provide that property developers may not be elected or appointed to, or hold or act in, a civic office; and for related purposes."

What is interesting is part of the definition of a 'Property Developer' which includes 'a person who is a close associate of an individual or a corporation'.

This is where Cr Lloyd brings state politics into local council matters.

Mayoral candidate for Lismore at the upcoming December election Steve Krieg has two real estate agents on his ticket in Andrew Gordon and Paul Degan. Andrew is running number four on the ticket while Paul Degan is number twelve.

Is this a direct attempt to unsettle and disrupt the Steve Krieg ticket or the support of a personal/party belief or both?

Endorsed Country Labor Mayoral Candidate Darlene Cook said she will definitely be supporting the motion tonight.

"There are too many conflicts of interest," Ms Cook said, "When there is money to be made the integrity of the development application process comes into question."

"In fact I will be adding a point two to tonight's motion to include real estate agents in that bill."

Mayorl Candidate Steve Krieg said, " This is our of control, that's crazy. This council should be in caretaker mode to be honest."

'Come the December elections we will have a clean slate and head in another direction. We will have the best people doing the best job possible for the community."

Real Estate Agent Andrew Gordon asked how far you go to classify a 'close associate' as a lot of people benefit from a land relese, "Do you include a lawyer, a builder or a quarry owner."

"Labor and the Greens have tried two other attempts and have failed. Cr Lloyd can put this motion forward but in the mean time they are ignoring their core duties to the ratepayer."

Early this year, Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock told a parliamentary hearing she wanted the debate ended “once and for all” while clarifying she didn’t believe banning certain people from being elected to positions on local government was correct.

Similar bills have been before state parliament via the Labor Party (February 2020) or the Greens and have been repealed each time. In June this year the bill passed the Legislative Council (Upper House) and the vote will move to the Lower House.

Who said there was no politics in local council.

With only eight sitting councillors, it is likely that the motion will pass along party lines with Crs Ekins, Guise, Lloyd and Cook voting for (and possibly more). However, the Mayor has the deciding vote if split four and four anyway.