Q: Small and inexperienced business owners often report too much red tape and unhelpful resistance when dealing with the Council's Planning department. How would you help reduce red tape for emerging creatives and entrepreneurs looking to trial their ideas in city spaces? What steps would you take to simplify council processes (permits, approvals) for creative city activations?

A: To begin, I like to look at what is working and what is not. Programs like Renew Adelaide are clearly effective, 61% of ventures graduate to paying commercial rent. We should continue to support and expand initiatives like these that are already delivering real outcomes.

A common issue I hear from startups and small business founders is that they do not know where to go next. Adelaide has some great initiatives and innovation hubs, however without a clear conduit connecting them many people miss out. Council can step in here, actively linking creatives and entrepreneurs with pathways, mentors, and support networks like Renew.

If Council’s planning processes are holding people back, we need to fix that. That means speaking directly with applicants, approved and rejected, to find out where the system is breaking down. We should analyse data like application drop-offs and processing times, and host regular feedback sessions to make the process more accountable and responsive.

We should also explore fast-tracked approvals for low-risk, short-term activations. These initiatives should not be treated like full-scale developments, they need a simpler, more agile process that still ensures public safety but removes unnecessary red tape.

Q: Taking a holistic approach to precinct activation and thoughtful curation is the key to creating thriving and unique precincts. What steps will you take to encourage the property industry, particularly the less engaged and absentee property owners, to explore alternative activation opportunities of their vacant and underutilised spaces, such as engaging Renew Adelaide?

A: I will always advocate for strong collaboration between Council, AEDA, and groups like Renew Adelaide to build a clear, consistent case for activation: data-backed, visually compelling, and easy to act on.

When owners can see the long-term benefit, tenants moving from rent-free to commercial terms, increased foot traffic, and reduced vacancy, they are more likely to engage.

We need to make it easier for property owners to participate. That might include reducing red tape for temporary activations, offering targeted incentives, and providing a clear Council-led point of contact to guide them through the process.

Finally, I would like to see a stronger public register of underutilised spaces and a proactive approach from Council to invite owners into curated activation opportunities. We cannot afford to leave good space, and good ideas, sitting idle.

Q: Currently, City of Adelaide does not have any grants available to support artists or businesses at a grassroots level. This has been the case for some time now, which means that these practitioners and operators look to other LGAs to deliver their projects. What will you do to ensure funding for smaller-scale creative and entrepreneurial activity in the City?

A: As an entrepreneur myself, I know how hard it can be to find early support, especially when you are building something new, creative, and a little unconventional. That is why I am the person - and want to be the councillor - who advocates for these communities. Many startups and creatives are not eligible to vote in council elections because they do not operate from ‘conventional’, long-term commercial spaces. Yet they contribute so much to the city’s identity and future.

The lack of support at the grassroots level is a real issue. We are losing great ideas and talent to other LGAs that are showing up and investing in their local creative and startup ecosystems.

Council should be present in places like Lot Fourteen, ThinkLab, and coworking hubs - listening, connecting, and showcasing what it means to do business in the city. I will push for a Start-Up Advisory Group and regular drop-ins to ensure the entrepreneurial voice is at the table.

Yes, I want to see more funding, but in the meantime, we can run low-cost support like monthly workshops and better promotion of existing programs like Women in Business Foundations*, Digital Solutions**, and Business Fundamentals***. We should also highlight the role of AEDA’s Strategic Partnerships Program, which is investing into initiatives like Renew and ThincSeed that directly support small business growth and innovation.

And this needs to start earlier, how are we engaging young people in city schools to see entrepreneurship and creativity as real pathways, so they choose to stay and build their futures right here?

*Office Small & Family Business

** Federally Funded

*** SA Business Chamber

Q: In a couple of sentences, what do you see as the long-term vision for the City of Adelaide? What do you want us to be known for?

A: I want Adelaide to be known as the most supportive city in Australia for people with bold ideas, whether they are starting a business, launching a creative project, or testing something completely new. A city that backs its people, activates its spaces, and invests in the future by championing innovation, inclusion, and community from the ground up.