SYDNEY - Northern District Times: RYDE councillor Sarkis Yedelian has joined the Liberal Party in a move he said was aimed at fighting State Government interference with, and overriding of, local government.

He said he was concerned about inappropriate high-density social housing developments in low-density suburbs approved without council consent, boarding house legislation that ignored residents, and overdevelopments, such as unit towers at West Ryde and the Royal Rehabilitation Centre, that overrode council regulations.

"Ryde has been targeted using draconian state planning legislation that ignores the fair application of development regulations designed to protect our community standards," he said.

The council now has four Liberal, four Labor and four independent councillors. Vic Tagg was elected as a Liberal councillor but resigned from the party to be an independent.

Cr Yedelian (pictured) was formally admitted to the party at the weekend meeting of the State Executive Council.

Liberal Cr Bill Pickering welcomed Cr Yedelian to the party.

"This gives us more support to continue to push through our proactive community agenda and to take up the fight for residents against Labor's planning legislation disasters," he said.

Labor Cr Nicole Campbell, who is on maternity leave, said she was not surprised by Cr Yedelian's announcement.

"I know he's been trying to do it for years," she said. "At least he is now coming out and being upfront about his political alliances, because the way he's voted on council over the last several years indicates his preference for more conservative policy."

Cr Campbell said she doubted NSW Labor policy was the key reason for Cr Yedelian joining the Liberals.

"Let's just say I'm a little bemused by those statements," she said. "I would say his decision has a bit more to do with the mayoral vote coming up in September than any state-based issue. I'm not sure how joining the Liberal Party addresses those issues.

"But it shows that just because you're independent, it doesn't mean you're not politically aligned."