Meet the candidates running for Adelaide’s Central Ward
There are 19 candidates in the upcoming supplementary election. Here’s what we know so far about who’s in the running. See the full list.
Ballots for the Adelaide City Council supplementary election were sent out last week, and voting closes 12pm, August 25.
Four spots are up for grabs on the council, and 19 candidates are in the running. Of those 19, five are Liberal Party Members, two are Labor Party members, and one is a member of Family First Party.
For those city dwellers who haven’t already rushed out to the post-box, here’s InDaily’s handy guide to the Central Ward candidates. This is designed to give you a snapshot of your candidates, how they spend their time in the city and some of their values. Answers have been shortened in places for conciseness.
Jump to a candidate:
Oscar Zi Shao Ong
Patrick Maher
Alfredo Cabada
Hugo Siu
David Elliott
Carmel Noon
Colin Shearing
Declan Price-Brooks
Vivek Gupta
Frederick Christopher Brohier
Anne Moran
Ben Ayris
Jasmin Ilic
Glenn Bain
Eleanor Freeman
Franz Peter Knoll
James Stuart McPherson
Hamish MacLachlan
Raymond Khabbaz
Oscar Ong
Ong lives in Central Ward and is a member of the Liberal Party.
What do you do for work?
I am currently an engineering postdoctoral researcher working on heart attack prediction and a lecturer at Adelaide University. I’m an engineer at heart, not a politician. I don’t look to politicise problems; I look for solutions. I ask: how can we make this work better for people?
How closely do you currently follow the Adelaide City Council?
I follow the council especially when key decisions affect residents, small businesses, and the cost of living. I watch council meetings when issues of concern arise, follow current councillors and speak with them to raise community concerns (especially the frustration with the dysfunction and inaction of the council).
If you are elected, you will serve as a councillor for less than two years before you’re up for re-election again in November 2026. If you could only deliver one major priority in that time, what would it be?
Safety (especially after hours) is a major concern in the central ward, particularly for people from multicultural backgrounds. The recent alleged racially motivated assault on an Indian student in the city centre is disgusting. We can and MUST do better. That means better lighting, stronger partnerships with police, and improving social cohesion — and I am committed to working constructively to make that happen.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the Adelaide City Council?
In addition to safety, the rising cost of living, made worse by the council’s war on small businesses and cars, is a key issue. Small businesses are slugged with costly outdoor dining and parklet fees, while ratepayers face rate increases. The extended paid parking hours, increase of parking fees, and fewer parking spots fuel the rising cost of going out.
What is your favourite place to eat in the city?
It’s a tough call – the city has a lot to offer! The Asian food (especially Chinatown) offers a home away from home for me, but I am also a big fan of the city’s terrific brunch and dinner options. The hospitality offered and the warmth of the small business operators are what made me fall in love with this city (special shout-out to Harsh from Coffylosophy!)
What is your favourite activity to do in the city?
I love to grab a few snacks and take a stroll through the Botanic Garden to recharge after a busy week. It’s a reminder of the green patches Adelaide has to offer.
What do you want voters to remember when voting?
While this is a short term, it is a crucial opportunity to reset the direction of the Council. We can’t afford another year of performative politics and news headlines. The city is plagued with vacancies, safety concerns, and a loss of confidence. This election is about choosing someone who will listen, show up, and put ratepayers first, not chasing headlines. Let’s get Council back on track and back to the basics.
Patrick Maher
Maher lives in Central Ward and is not a member of a political party. You can read more about his candidacy in depth on CityMag.
If you are elected and can only deliver one major priority between now and November 2026, what would it be?
If I could do one thing, it would be to instil an ongoing organisational culture of integrated design excellence in all aspects of council decision making and service delivery. This means that for any decision, the Council will consider the flow-on effects of the thing before they do the thing. It’s proactive, holistic decision-making. We need less ideologically informed design practices that compromise genuine progress with poor delivery and divisive political ideology, and more integrated design philosophy practice to meet the actual needs of the residents, visitors, and businesses.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the Adelaide City Council?
The obvious and objectively correct answer should mention the looming Adelaide Bridge and Torrens Weir replacement projects, and ESCOSA’s concerns about the Council’s financial viability, but I see these as symptoms of the real problem: the Council is near-sighted. It is plagued by short-term factionalism, operates conservatively, is not representative of the people of the city, and is lacking a coherent and funky vision for what Adelaide is and can be.
The elected representatives of the last few terms have been killing the vibe by being boring and not understanding what makes Adelaide ‘heaps good’. We don’t need to be a copy of Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane. Adelaide was founded upon excellence in design and liveability and, if we back ourselves, we can once again be teeming with cultural activity and local economic prosperity.
What is your favourite place to get a coffee in the city?
I’m not a coffee drinker, I’ve gone to a job interview once, about 1:30 in the arvo, I must have been the fourth or fifth person and they insist on buying me a coffee and I insist on a strawberry shake and the guy doing the interview said, “oh my god, thank you I’ve had so many coffees today” and I got the job.
What is your favourite Adelaide band?
That’s a hard one, I’m going to go with a couple of different genres. Dirty Pagans, Druid Fluids, Billy Bob he’s got to be the best guitarist in Adelaide for sure. And Ricky Albeck, very entertaining in every venue, in every format.
Alfredo Cabada
Cabada lives in Tonsley, and is a member of the SA division of the Liberal Party.
What do you do for work?
I work as a buyer’s agent, helping individuals, families, and investors secure the right properties across Adelaide. My role involves negotiating on behalf of clients, uncovering off-market opportunities, and ensuring they make informed and financially sound decisions. I’m deeply engaged with Adelaide’s property landscape, and I see firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing our city. I also work closely with business owners and commercial buyers, which gives me unique insights into what’s holding investment and growth back in the CBD.
How closely do you currently follow the Adelaide City Council?
Very closely. I’m actively involved in civic life as a member of the Rotary Club of Adelaide and sit on the Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA) Committee. I regularly attend council-run events, stay informed on key decisions, and frequently engage with residents, businesses, and stakeholders whose lives and operations are directly affected by council actions.
If you are elected, you will serve as a councillor for less than two years before you’re up for re-election again in November 2026. If you could only deliver one major priority in that time, what would it be?
Abolishing outdoor dining fees. It’s a simple, high-impact change that would immediately support our hospitality sector, encourage vibrancy in our streets, and show that the council is serious about backing small business.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the Adelaide City Council?
A lack of commercial focus and practical decision-making. Council must urgently reorient itself to support business confidence, safety, and growth.
What is your favourite place to eat in the city?
I love the Central Market for its incredible variety. It’s a vibrant hub where you can find everything from fresh produce to international cuisine. One standout for me is Lucia’s panini rolls. Their food is exceptional, the team is warm and welcoming, and they are strong supporters of the local community.
What is your favourite activity to do in the city?
Listening to live music or catching up with friends at a local laneway bar or eatery. There’s nothing like the Adelaide atmosphere on a Friday night.
What do you want voters to remember when voting?
Adelaide is full of potential, but we need a council that empowers growth, not one that gets in the way of it. I’ll bring commercial thinking, real business acumen, strong community values, and a commitment to getting things done.
Hugo Siu
Siu lives in Adelaide’s east and owns property in Central Ward. He is a member of the Liberal Party.
What do you do for work?
I am currently an accountant in Central Ward, working as a public servant in a State Government agency. Before joining the government, I worked as an accountant across various industries, small family and medium businesses, which gave me a strong understanding of how businesses operate and what challenges they face every day.
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Earlier in my career, I also spent over seven years as a hospitality attendant at the Adelaide Convention Centre and worked as a waiter at a local Thai restaurant in North Adelaide and as an access cab driver — experiences that taught me the value of hard work and connecting with people from all walks of life.
How closely do you currently follow the Adelaide City Council?
I stay informed through InDaily for news and summaries, follow the Lord Mayor, Henry Davis, and Keiran Snape on social media, and volunteer regularly in the community. Talking directly with residents and businesses helps me understand their concerns, which I share my views on my Facebook.
If you are elected and can only deliver one major priority between now and November 2026, what would it be?
Reducing parking fees and improving parking access. Council relies too heavily on parking fees and fines, which drives people away — especially during a cost-of-living crisis and the direct competition with Burnside Village and the Parade Norwood. Making it easier and more affordable to visit the city will help residents, workers, and visitors support our local shops, restaurants, and events.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the Adelaide City Council?
Resources aren’t shared fairly across wards. In Central Ward, homelessness, poor street lighting, waste issues, and broken or inaccessible facilities make the city feel unsafe and unwelcoming, from dark laneways to broken lifts that impact people with disabilities, older residents, and families with prams. These problems need urgent action.
What is your favourite place to eat in the city?
Central Ward has been my second home for over 20 years, and I have tasted just about every flavour the city has to offer. Back in 2004, when I first arrived as an international student, I would grab a self-serve $6 “all-you-can-stack” plate from the old Chinatown food court on Moonta Street — a true student feast with all different choices, fried chicken wings, black bean beef and vegetable stir fry.
What is your favourite activity to do in the city?
Park Lands with my wife and two-year-old son, especially at Himeji Garden on South Terrace. But recent incidents with falling branches show we need proper audits and funding to maintain these heritage-listed spaces so everyone can enjoy them safely.
What do you want voters to remember when voting?
This election is a chance for voters to send a message — to hold the Council accountable and push for change. Many residents feel let down, and this is their opportunity to be heard. I am asking for their support so I can represent Central Ward and bring their voices back to the table. Every vote matters.
David Elliott
Elliott lives in Bowden and is a member of the Labor Party.
Elliott was a councillor during the current term before his appointment was voided as part of the court judgment. Elliott was not accused of any wrongdoing and was not found to have any role in the illegal practices the court found to have occurred.
How closely have you been following the Adelaide City Council since your departure in April?
I still follow council business and attend events about the city. I also still talk to people about the issues they are experiencing and still work with others to get resolutions to issues at the council level. After the decision in April to void the Central Ward election, I took a few weeks off to recover from burnout and from being alongside some very adversarial people in the Chamber. I have periodically watched what happens in the meetings and noticed that the behaviour of some councillors is still just as adversarial and disruptive, if not worse. I have been disappointed by that, and I have been hoping that this by-election will put more sensible adults in the room to get on with Coucncil business instead of social media sideshows.
What piece of work that you started as a councillor are you most eager to get back to?
I was very keen to work on the City’s Integrated Transport Strategy, and I would be eager to be involved in its implementation plan. The city is congested, and residents, visitors and businesses all tell me how they need transport alternatives, better options, and easier ways to make and receive deliveries. The ITS will be an important piece of work in making the city more livable and accessible.
What do you think is the biggest issue currently facing the Adelaide City Council?
It’s a twin issue of financial sustainability and reputational risk; poor financial management over a long time has put the city in a difficult position to be a trusted financial partner and place to do business…It will be a major challenge for councillors to resist giving into to petty dogmatism to avoid creating further risk.
What do you want voters to remember when they’re voting in this supplementary election?
It is important to remember that people who promise you everything tend to deliver nothing. Some candidates will certainly work hard to build the city, while some will work hard to undermine it to build their own political platform.
What is your favourite place to eat in the city?
For an easy lunch: Bolla in James Pl. For a night out: Herringbone.
What is your favourite activity to do in the city?
I walk a lot, and enjoying visiting Bonython Park and Pakapakanthi wetlands to birdwatch. My ideal city day involves doing a circuit of the vintage and thrift stores, popping into all the record stores, then finding different cafes to sit and read for a while.
Carmel Noon
Noon lives in Central Ward and is not a member of a political party.
Noon was a councillor during the current term before her appointment was voided as part of the court judgment. The judgment specified that Noon did not benefit from the illegal practices the court found to have occurred.
How closely do you currently follow the Adelaide City Council?
I haven’t missed a Council or Committee meeting since I was stepped down in April 2025 – and up to then I was the only councillor with 100 per cent attendance score. Since then, every Tuesday evening you’ll find me on the treadmill at the gym watching the live stream, unless it has been reconvened because councillors haven’t turned up for work, or walked out on meetings and therefore loss of quorum, which has happened several times since mid-April, especially when budget decisions have needed to be made.
My husband teases me and calls me a “loser,” but it is important I stay abreast of what is happening. More often than not I’m upping the kph and shouting at the screen. I think if I get back on council, I will be asking for a tread machine to be placed under my council desk –it is actually good for stress levels and anger management.
What piece of work that you started as a councillor are you most eager to get back to?
Although I was stepped down due to others’ bad behaviour and a flawed electoral process, I haven’t slowed down. I’ve stayed actively engaged—supporting residents on the Frome Road bikeway issues regarding safety concerns…Another issue I’m most passionate about is rate exemptions and rebates. Universities, private hospitals and schools, government departments and even developments such as the ones on Festival Plaza—none pay a cent in rates, even though the ratepayers of the City of Adelaide rates maintain these orgs surrounding infrastructure. Meanwhile, small operators face unfair costs and even one restaurant recently had their Parklet removed due to querying inequity in fees. Thankfully, I was responsible for the removal of the parklet fee for restaurants that had several restaurants paying for loss of carpark revenue. I’d like to go further—we need to support our hospitality sector so they don’t leave the city.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the Adelaide City Council?
The two biggest challenges are financial sustainability and ensuring Council remains independent and community‑focused rather than a political/factional battlefield.
…The issue is clear: we maintain costly state assets that are used by ‘all’ – including the Torrens Weir, Adelaide Bridge and Parklands while forfeiting up to $50M annually in rate exemptions and rebates due to old legislation. We urgently need a new funding model and or other revenue sources, where the ratepayers of the City of Adelaide are not solely responsible. Growth is essential—but it must be responsible, liveable, and balanced.
What is your favourite place to eat in the city?
I’m not a creature of habit, but every Saturday religiously my husband and I head to Mr Viet in James Place: without a doubt, the best Vietnamese food in South Australia.
For a special dinner, it’s the Thai Room in Victoria Square. Their fresh, modern take on Thai cuisine recently won best new restaurant in its category, and it’s sensational. I recommend so many people there as I know they will have a superb experience. That said, one of my favourite nights is cooking at home and sharing a quiet Saturday evening with my patient husband Andrew. I’m known in my circle to have a high tolerance of chilli and always have an emergency one in my bag.
What is your favourite activity to do in the city?
Spending time with my family and friends in the city is my greatest joy—usually at one of the many amazing restaurants, events, or live shows the city has to offer all year round. With such a busy life juggling my CEO role, when on Council, board/committee commitments, I always look forward to Friday nights when I meet my inspirational mother, who raised five children largely on her own, and my fabulous sister Maryanne, one of my conveyancing members. We do all the city things—dining, shopping, and of course catching up on the ‘goss’!
What do you want voters to remember when voting?
They probably will remember how much electoral paraphernalia appeared in their letterboxes! There are 19 candidates in this election, many aligned to political parties and sadly only 4 women, who are thankfully Independent. I’ve seen firsthand how party politics and factions take the focus off the real community issues that need to be addressed, as this is very disruptive and unproductive. That is not what local government should be. Council should be apolitical, although politically savvy; however, Elected Members are community representatives, not politicians. I urge voters to support Independents, because we put the city first, not a party or our political careers.
Colin Shearing
Shearing lives in Salisbury East, he is not a member of a political party.
Why did you choose to run in Central Ward?
I’ve always been advocating for South Australian businesses, and that they get a fair go. They obviously play a very big part in our economy, and I’d like to see a business voice sitting in the Council. I think the Adelaide City Council, which should be the front door to our state’s economy, and should actually, you know, be the role model to that.
You’ve got 75 per cent of ratepayers in the total collected rates coming from commercial entities. I think they need a lot more say in where their rates and taxes are going. And I think there are some quite blatant barriers to business in the city, things like having less car parks is a ridiculous notion, totally ridiculous…outdoor dining, you should not be charged [fees] provided you can prove that you’re within the ambience of the street, and no one is going to be injured from it. It’s safe for pedestrians and for cars. Then why should you be charged for it?
How closely do you follow the Adelaide City Council, do you read the agendas or watch the meetings?
I do a bit of both in the Victor Harbour community and certainly with the Adelaide City Council, I watch their meetings as well.
If you are elected and can only deliver one major priority between now and November 2026, what would it be?
Parking is definitely the issue out there. I think it’s an issue for everyone: parking. We should have the first two hours of free parking validated. So if you go to a shop, it gets validated. We go to business, and it gets validated and I reckon what you’ll find with two free hours parking, people won’t mind after that to pay for parking… People don’t catch public transport to go shopping, they don’t ride bikes to go shopping.
What is your favourite activity to do in the city?
I love the Adelaide Arcade, it is a beautiful place to be. There’s little quiet spots in there, but there are some beautiful, really worldly, places of history in the Adelaide Arcade… I just think it’s got a lot of grandeur about it. And the other place I like to visit is obviously the North Terrace precinct there, with the museum and the art gallery, the library is just absolutely out of this world. It’s just one of the best places.
Do you have a favourite place to get a coffee in the city?
I love my coffee in the Adelaide Arcade, either at Ciao or Caffe L’Incontro.
Anne Moran
Moran lives on Gilles Street in South Ward and is not a member of a political party.
What do you do for work?
I am retired.
If you are elected and can only deliver one major priority between now and November 2026, what would it be?
If elected, I would concentrate on the core services i.e. rates, roads and rubbish. To attract people to live, work and recreate in the city, it must be an attractive place to be with clean streets, efficient rubbish collection and low rates. For all ratepayers, I would, as I have done before ,“freeze the rate in the dollar “ to keep rates down. These services are no longer first-class and must be vastly improved.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the Adelaide City Council?
The State Government is taking over the Parklands and seemingly dismissing the Adelaide City Council’s guardianship role for the Parklands.
What is your favourite place to eat in the city?
Too many to choose from, but I will try: The Exeter, Amalfi, Eros and the market.
What is your favourite activity to do in the city?
I love shopping in Rundle Mall, walking in the Botanical Gardens and eating at the many restaurants.
What do you want voters to remember when voting?
Vote for candidates with a proven record and no political affiliation. A councillor should not have two masters. The ratepayers are the only masters.
Declan Price-Brooks
Price-Brooks lives in the city, just outside the boundaries of Central Ward and is a member of the Labor party. You can read more about his candidacy in depth here.
What first got you to pay attention to the council?
Local government sometimes gets written off as rates, roads and rubbish, that has never been my experience of local government. I grew up learning to read at the North Adelaide library, you know, going to community events in the city. So the City of Adelaide has always been a part of my life, and then over more recent years as I’ve become an adult, I’ve noticed the level of dysfunction and distraction in the council and have been really disappointed to see that.
You’re a member of the Labor Party, how long have you been involved with the party?
I joined the Labor Party when I was at university and I joined because when I was at university, I got really involved in the campaign against sexual assault, sexual harassment and rape at the university, and it was the Labor students who stood behind and backed that campaign. I got to see this real vision of folk working together for change in the lighter part of it, that was something I wanted to be about.
What benefit do you see in being a member of a political party and sitting as a councillor?
I think government works best when all three levels of government work together, and I don’t think that’s inherently a party piece, though. I’m certainly not running as the Labor candidate, or on behalf of the Labor Party… I’m running because there are things I want to get done, I’m really lucky to have a positive relationship with Lucy Hood, the local MP to foster some of that collaboration as well, so that our level of government can work together.
What’s your favourite place to eat or drink in the city?
Sofia. I’ve come here for dinner with friends a lot.
Favourite place to get a drink?
I’ve been going to the Exeter, really, for as long as I can remember, you know, it’s a little bit dingy, it’s got a little bit of grime, so it really feels like a casual, relaxed place. I also love some of our beautiful laneway culture bars, Leigh Street, Peel Street, I love it and you can just dart between all of them which makes the city vibrant.
Vivek Gupta
Gupta lives in Central Ward and works as a self-empoyed consultant in the education and training sector. He is not a member of a political party.
How closely do you currently follow the Adelaide City Council?
I watch the council meetings after they have been conducted. I do not watch these live. Yes, I do watch most of the meetings. I follow current and former members of the council on Facebook.
If you are elected and can only deliver one major priority between now and November 2026, what would it be?
If I could do one thing, it would be to push the council to be absolutely transparent to the public about ‘essential’ and ‘discretionary’ spending. Rubbish collection is essential spending, launching a website and social media page for every trivial council effort, which is essentially the council marketing itself to us, is discretionary spending that amounts to millions every year.
When street furniture and lighting upgrade worth millions (discretionary) becomes higher priority than investing in the city’s worsening traffic situation (essential), something is not right. However, let’s just keep pretending that the more we punish car drivers, more of them will succumb, and no, we will not discuss if migration is increasing the overall number of vehicles on our congested streets.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the Adelaide City Council?
Leadership. The kind of leadership that comes from responsibility, from care, from devotion. When a leader cannot unite people behind a cause, they all fall back on the next best thing – self-interest. The cause, however, requires sacrifice. Only a leader can breathe life into a cause, a vision. People will share pain and struggles, if they believe in a cause. All the mismanagement, all the waste, all the meaningless vanity projects, all this self-marketing and PR ecosystem, all the vague promises and lofty outlooks, are serving to hide this lack of real leadership. The kind that one shows towards their family. Towards something they hold very dear, something that is as valuable to them as life itself. Does Adelaide deserve any less?
What is your favourite place to eat in the city?
Pizza Mozzarella Bar on Pirie St. has the perfect pizza that I have been hooked on for last decade. The crust is almost hollow, with a velvety interior lining of soft bread, not doughy. Perfectly risen, displaying intermittent puffed-up bubbles that have been slightly burnt. Almost untouched tomato sauce for that natural, mild flavour. Choose buffalo mozzarella and you have found the staircase to food heaven. Ask for Table 11 special, if you like your pizza to be slightly more crispy. Margherita, to enjoy the simplicity of life; Calabrese, to motivate you for the next visit.
What is your favourite activity to do in the city?
Admiring the bygone era of expression of character through architecture. Imagining the daily life and struggles of the people who were toiling in the summer heat to build these. Our city’s Victorian buildings are breathtaking – Art gallery, Post Office, Town Hall, University of Adelaide (former) buildings, especially the Mitchell Building. It is the my favourite building on North Terrace. Interior of the Freemasons Hall as well as Edmund Wright House on King William are also exemplary works that our city is lucky to have.
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Frederick Christopher Brohier
Frederick lives in the Inner South and is a member of the Family First Party.
What do you do for work?
Barrister.
If you are elected and can only deliver one major priority between now and November 2026, what would it be?
Assist Adelaide to be a Family Friendly City with a great celebration of Christmas, Australia Day etc to bring lots of families into the city. This will generate income for city businesses and create a real buzz.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the Adelaide City Council?
To win the confidence of ratepayers by policies that support them and not being disengaged, or inward focussed.
What is your favourite place to eat in the city?
Mylk Bar on Flinders Street.
What is your favourite activity to do in the city?
Walk through the city to Adelaide Oval and watch the cricket or footy.
What do you want voters to remember when voting?
Help make Adelaide a family friendly city for you and all who come here.
Ben Ayris
Ayris lives in Central Ward and is not a member of a political party. He co-owns Flinders Street’s TIBA espresso, read more about his candidacy in depth in CityMag.
This isn’t your first time running for Central Ward, you ran in the 2022 general council elections. Tell me a bit about your level of involvement in the community since then.
Yeah, I’ve lived in the city for over seven years now, I’ve worked in the city for close to 20, so I’ve spent a lot of time in the city. Over the last few years, I’ve been bit more engaged with also the Adelaide Parklands Association. Over the last few years, as I’ve been a high-rise resident, I’ve noticed there are a lot of unique problems that we’re all sort of facing as high-rise residents…I found some other like-minded people who want to have the Adelaide Apartment Owners Association.
How closely do you currently follow the Adelaide City Council?
Being a city resident, it’s hard not to sometimes. It’s definitely in the media a lot. One thing I don’t like, and one of the reasons I ran in the last election, was I found that many of the councillors are part of political parties, and they just use the council as a bit of a stepping stone into politics. They don’t have long-term vision. They just want to get out there, be recognised, be in the media. But that’s not me. I’ve got my career. I’m going for this because I am a resident and a business owner, and I do want to make a difference. So, yeah, I wouldn’t get bogged down in all of that controversy from the sidelines.
I would ask you your favourite place to get a coffee, but you’d say TIBA obviously. Do you have a favourite lunch spot for a sandwich?
Our sandwiches here are amazing as well, I must say! But if I’m going somewhere else locally, I would go My Kingdom for a Horse.
Jasmin Ilic
Ilic lives just outside the CBD and is not a member of a political party.
What do you think is the biggest issue currently facing the Adelaide City Council?
I actually think the biggest issue at the moment is, and this is really from the sentiment shared in my conversations with businesses and residents throughout this campaigning period, is a lack of trust and a lack of interest from the community. I think that is more dangerous and more concerning than any policy or situation in front of them. At the end of the day, if the people that you represent don’t have faith in what you’re doing, that’s a really big problem.
When that comes up as you’ve been campaigning, what do you say to those people who are disenfranchised voters?
I remember at the beginning, when I was considering whether or not I would run one of the things I was really passionate about was I wanted people who feel disenfranchised to feel empowered and excited. And I’m like, but how do you communicate that? Because you can’t put on a flyer, “trust me”. I think action means a lot more than that. So in some conversations I’ve had, I’ve said, ‘I’m not going to sit here and promise you that things are going to be different, because I’m one person’. I’m absolutely a champion for that change, but what I think is that we all need to hold our councillors to a higher standard and to call it out when we see things that we don’t think are right.
What is your favourite place to eat in the city?
For like, a weekday lunch, Peel Street is definitely one of my favourites. For a cafe, obviously Exchange, I feel like I grew up at that cafe, Excahnge and I actually share a birthday. In the early days, they always used to do cake on their birthdays, and I used to go and think it was the funnest thing to say, ‘it’s my brithday too!’ I also really love East End Cellars.
What is your favourite activity to do in the city?
I have many favourite activities, one’s definitely enjoying open spaces, walking to my house, I go through the park lands, but if I take the long way, I can go through the Botanic gardens, i find it very calming. Also, enjoying a drop of South Australian wine and hopping between places.
Glenn Bain
Bain declined InDaily’s interview request; the following information was ascertained from his registration with the Electoral Commission.
Bain does not live in Central Ward and is a member of the Liberal Party. He is a practising accountant and lawyer and is married with two children he raised in the City of Adelaide.
He believes the council is facing challenges of “a strained local economy, rising homelessness, safety concerns, housing pressures, and encroachment on the park lands”.
“I’m ready to bring my professional expertise and energy to Council,” he said.
“I’ll advocate for affordable housing, reinvigorating business activity, practical & compassionate responses to homelessness, and safer, cleaner public spaces.
“I am committed to protecting the Park Lands for future generations and ensuring sustainable development that respects Adelaide’s character and heritage. I will listen to your concerns, work alongside the community, and take meaningful action to make Central Ward more liveable for residents and vibrant for local businesses.”
Eleanor Freeman
Freeman lives in the South Ward of Adelaide and is not a member of a political party. She works as an urban planner for the state government.
How closely do you currently follow the Adelaide City Council?
As a local resident, I’m interested in Council decisions that affect city living which I follow through their website and its published material. As an urban planner, I’m also interested in broader city planning and major decisions that take important steps towards (or sometimes away from) the long-term prosperity of our state…I stay up-to-date by reading articles from trusted sources and keeping an eye on a few councillors’ social media.
If you are elected and can only deliver one major priority between now and November 2026, what would it be?
Holistic rate and fee review. Council should undertake a review to ensure rates and fees incentivise the strategic objectives set by their City Plan 2036, rather than discourage them. To unlock new housing in the city, rates for long-vacant land and unoccupied buildings should be questioned. Rates and fees should attract new businesses to our city and not create barriers that drive them elsewhere.
Outdoor dining and parklets activate our streets and create priceless vibrancy – but fees don’t reflect this. Smarter pricing could make better use of underutilised U-Park car spaces, with reduced fees as an incentive for people to make a few extra loops to drive to the top floors that are rarely full. A fairer rate and fee system would activate our city and unlock growth for residents, traders and visitors alike. It starts with an internal review, which would be my first step.
What do you think is the biggest issue currently facing the Adelaide City Council?
There is an urgent need to focus on long-term planning, not just short-term fixes. A doubled population of 50,000 people isn’t just a target in the City Plan 2036 – it’s already happening. The city’s growth rate has exponentially surged post-COVID and is well above the Greater Adelaide average. Council must act now to plan for the infrastructure this growth demands.
What is your favourite place to eat in the city?
The impossible question! Let’s go with Mamak Corner on Bank Street. There’s not many things I wouldn’t do for their fish curry and teh tarik. It was my go-to when I joined the public service back in 2013, where I worked my way through their entire menu from one of our city’s first-ever parklets which was out the front. In a way, Mamak Corner and I have been through many city changes together and I’m thrilled they’re still operating after all this time.
What is your favourite activity to do in the city?
Festivals and events. I am an absolute fiend for the Adelaide Fringe – my favourite time of year where our city fills with the weird, wonderful and the unforgettable I can never unsee. I managed 30 shows in 2024 but I reckon I can beat that record. I’m also a huge fan of the Park Lands trails as someone who rides a bike most days. How lucky am I to have a national heritage-listed green belt as my backyard.
Franz Peter Knoll
Franz lives in Walkerville and is a member of the Liberal Party.
What do you do for work?
I chair several industry-focused organisations and have businesses across smallgoods, seafood, and meat processing, employing hundreds of people across the state. I also lead regional economic development work through the Northern Economic Leaders by championing sustainable and circular economy initiatives as a business opportunity not cost.
How closely do you currently follow the Adelaide City Council?
Very closely. I served as an Area Councillor from 2018–2022 and keep in touch with decisions and listen to the discussion and arguments that frame the results. I review agendas and minutes, and engage regularly with city businesses, property owners and key stakeholders.
If you are elected and can only deliver one major priority between now and November 2026, what would it be?
Establish a clear, fair, and collaborative framework for business through precinct improvement partnerships, so each part of the city can develop its own identity, attract visitors, and grow investment without unnecessary bureaucracy or cost shifting.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the Adelaide City Council?
The lack of alignment between council decisions and the needs of businesses and residents who drive the city’s economy. Unless you ask widely you wouldn’t know the tough economic conditions our business community are struggling with. Council must get serious about delivering outcomes instead of running in circles.
What is your favourite place to eat in the city?
That is an unfair question. It depends on the mood, who is coming and what cuisine we feel like, Yum Cha at Star House, banquet at T-Chow, something special at Osteria Oggi or fresh seafood at Eros café.
What is your favourite activity to do in the city?
Every fortnight I catch up with close friends at a different Café in the city for coffee and cake a very German thing to do. I usually ride my bike and bluff myself into thinking I am working off the calories.
What do you want voters to remember when voting?
If we want a vibrant city, we need councillors who understand how it actually works on the ground in retail, hospitality, property, and precinct development not just ideological beliefs or theories. Vote for people with real-world experience and a proven record of getting things done.
James Stuart McPherson
McPherson lives in West Beach and is not a member of a political party. He is a liquidator and works in the city’s east end.
What made you want to run for council?
I look at Adelaide, I think you’ve got a great thing going now. You need to plan for the future. You need to plan for growth. You need to plan for a greater headcount…You want professionals to come in here, because then you’ve got people from university who can go straight from university into a local job, rather than having to go to the East Coast. Let’s play off that now. I want to be part of that…I don’t know the best vector for that, but when this council opportunity came up, I thought, right, let’s get in.
How closely do you currently follow the Adelaide City Council?
Not at all. The only engagement I had was dealing with Heritage SA when I tried to put an internal wall into my office. That was it. So look, from that point of view, I’m almost apolitical, so I’m a newbie.
Do you think it’s an advantage or a disadvantage that you are not so involved in that world?
For me, it’s an advantage, and I’m not conceding on this, but there’s 19 nominees, and I’m down position 17. As a liquidator, it’s a position of highest trust and good faith…My point of view is, from my perspective, if I’m elected, if there’s a Christmas miracle and I get up, I’ll be there in the room listening to people battle off against each other. But ultimately, it’s about, ‘does this policy make sense’, It hasn’t got a long-term benefit, and that’s keeping the eye on the prize. That’s what it’s all about. To that extent, I’m not swayed…I’m absolutely independent.
What is your favourite place to eat in the city?
I like places like Pizza e Mozzarelli, House of Chow and Golden Boy.
Hamish MacLachlan
MacLachlan did not respond to set questions from InDaily but provided us with more information about his candidacy.
He does not live in Central Ward and is not a member of a political party.
He works as the general manager of PriPark SA. He was previously the media and communications advisor for Liberal Senator Alex Antic and has worked with Adelaide Instagram outlet, the Adelaide Set.
He said the current Adelaide City Council overlooks the genuine desires of city businesses and residents.
“We see hundreds of thousands spent on studies and redesigns—often without asking the very people it affects most,” he said.
“Meanwhile, we’re losing practical amenities, like car parking, while our heritage buildings sit idle because it’s too costly to bring them back to life.
“I’m running because I live and work in the city and want to help it function better, socially, economically, and practically.”
Raymond Khabbaz
Khabbaz declined to answer set questions from InDaily, but provided us with more information about his candidacy.
Khabbaz lives in Central Ward and is not a member of a political party. He has been self-employed for four decades, owning companies including Plush Cars Crash Repairs and AUstralian Wholefoods which had over 250 employees.
“I might be last on the Ballot Paper but I am number one for Adelaide,” Khabbaz said.
One of the key issues Khabbaz identified is that the Adelaide City Council needs more vibrancy, amenity and support for business.
He points to plans to upgrade Hutt Street that includes reduced parking and a 30km/h speed limit as an area council is getting it wrong currently.
“Our city is getting harder, and we seem intent on making it worse. A softer-looking street will never take the sting out of a parking or speeding fine,” he said.
“This isn’t about cars, it’s about people. City traders and residents want vibrancy that supports businesses gives Adelaide its character and economic strength. I’m not advocating for more or less parking, I’m advocating for what’s best for our businesses and residents because both are the beating heart of Adelaide.”
