More than a few of our local residents have been on to me regarding the evening services of bus route 301, which have terminated at Eastlakes.
Our residents felt there was a need to let the evening services run through to Mascot and I agreed, which was why I took it up with the Premier and the Minister for Transport.
Well, the Minister for Transport, John Robertson, has advised that the service now runs through to Mascot. This was a good result for locals with the State Government listening to us.
Jun 28, 2010
Jun 24, 2010
Community Conversations
Since my comments in this column and in our latest edition of Your City starting community conversations about issues we all face in our City I have had a surprising, and gratifying, number of responses. Road congestion, as expected, has been the dominant issue people are talking about with parks and garden following close behind.
Last week’s Southern Courier’s front page story on the bleak outlook for congestion was in line with what people have been talking to me about. We need to get on with immediate and positive work (action rather than mere talk) on what we’re going to do about the M5East, the M4East and the connector between the M4East and the airport and Port Botany. I know the cost of these projects is enormous and we are going to need the Australian Government to step in with financial support.
From the State’s perspective, this generation will have to borrow to support these projects and present and future generations, which will benefit from the new roads, will need to contribute. These are not issues that only impact on our City (which they do in a highly significant way) but right across Sydney. If we don’t act, then Sydney could come to a grinding halt. Through my local conversations, I know that our community won’t sit idly by and allow that to happen.
Last week’s Southern Courier’s front page story on the bleak outlook for congestion was in line with what people have been talking to me about. We need to get on with immediate and positive work (action rather than mere talk) on what we’re going to do about the M5East, the M4East and the connector between the M4East and the airport and Port Botany. I know the cost of these projects is enormous and we are going to need the Australian Government to step in with financial support.
From the State’s perspective, this generation will have to borrow to support these projects and present and future generations, which will benefit from the new roads, will need to contribute. These are not issues that only impact on our City (which they do in a highly significant way) but right across Sydney. If we don’t act, then Sydney could come to a grinding halt. Through my local conversations, I know that our community won’t sit idly by and allow that to happen.
Jun 21, 2010
Mascot Juniors Celebrate 100 years
Mascot Juniors Rugby League Football Club celebrated their 100th Anniversary with a dinner at the AJC Centre at Randwick Racecourse recently.
It was a great night with more than 500 supporters enjoying catching up with old friends and celebrating an amazing milestone for the Club. Mascot Juniors is synonymous with our City. It is part of our history as well as our future because of the wonderful opportunity it offers the people of this community, from our little ones through to our young men.
As the father of two teenage boys, I have really grown to appreciate and value our sporting clubs and the contribution they make to our community. I also have a greater appreciation and understanding of the tremendous work that the volunteers who work tirelessly to keep these organisations running and functioning do on a daily basis.
Mascot Juniors is a wonderful example of what this City stands for and I, together with the local member Premier Kristina Keneally and Deputy Mayor, Councillor George Glinatsis, was very proud and honoured to be a part of celebrations.
They’ve produced many great footballers, such as George Piggins and Ian Roberts, but it’s all the kids who have benefitted that’s so impressive and so very important. Well done, and congratulations on such an amazing milestone … Your City salutes you.
It was a great night with more than 500 supporters enjoying catching up with old friends and celebrating an amazing milestone for the Club. Mascot Juniors is synonymous with our City. It is part of our history as well as our future because of the wonderful opportunity it offers the people of this community, from our little ones through to our young men.
As the father of two teenage boys, I have really grown to appreciate and value our sporting clubs and the contribution they make to our community. I also have a greater appreciation and understanding of the tremendous work that the volunteers who work tirelessly to keep these organisations running and functioning do on a daily basis.
Mascot Juniors is a wonderful example of what this City stands for and I, together with the local member Premier Kristina Keneally and Deputy Mayor, Councillor George Glinatsis, was very proud and honoured to be a part of celebrations.
They’ve produced many great footballers, such as George Piggins and Ian Roberts, but it’s all the kids who have benefitted that’s so impressive and so very important. Well done, and congratulations on such an amazing milestone … Your City salutes you.
Jun 19, 2010
Housing NSW Planning Bungle and the Daily Telegraph
Yesterday the Daily Telegraph published a story entitled "Mayor's bid to stop ghettos" by Vikki Campion. The article is also published on their website at http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw-act/mayors-bid-to-stop-ghettos/story-e6freuzi-1225881105906.
Whilst I am pleased that the Daily Telegraph highlighted, firstly the outrageous planning decision of Housing NSW in increasing population densities in Aircraft Noise affected areas, and secondly the absurd consequences of allowing government departments to approve their own development applications, rather than Council's, who actually understand these issues, and understand Australian Standards.
I am not pleased that the article described me as "ONE of Australia's highest profile prosecutors" using some cases I might have appeared in to suggest that Botany Bay City Council's legal action might somehow be given some greater status than any other action brought by any other council.
For the record I have either as a Public Defender, Acting Crown Prosecutor of as Counsel Assisting the Coroner made it practice never to speak to the media about any case in which I appear, even refusing to give my name to representatives of the media who can obtain that information from the court registries.
I have always tried never to mix my functions as the Mayor of the City of Botany Bay and my profession as a barrister. The former is a part time representative honour that requires me to publicly explain my positions on matters, the other requires me not to explain anything publicly other than the confines of a court room.
The position Botany Bay City Council has taken is sound. Its policy in seeking the planning standards, which are in fact the Australian Standard, enforced is correct. And my public statements I consider are appropriate for me in my capacity as Mayor. It would be inappropriate should they have been expressed by me in my capacity as an acting Crown Prosecutor.
Whilst I am pleased that the Daily Telegraph highlighted, firstly the outrageous planning decision of Housing NSW in increasing population densities in Aircraft Noise affected areas, and secondly the absurd consequences of allowing government departments to approve their own development applications, rather than Council's, who actually understand these issues, and understand Australian Standards.
I am not pleased that the article described me as "ONE of Australia's highest profile prosecutors" using some cases I might have appeared in to suggest that Botany Bay City Council's legal action might somehow be given some greater status than any other action brought by any other council.
For the record I have either as a Public Defender, Acting Crown Prosecutor of as Counsel Assisting the Coroner made it practice never to speak to the media about any case in which I appear, even refusing to give my name to representatives of the media who can obtain that information from the court registries.
I have always tried never to mix my functions as the Mayor of the City of Botany Bay and my profession as a barrister. The former is a part time representative honour that requires me to publicly explain my positions on matters, the other requires me not to explain anything publicly other than the confines of a court room.
The position Botany Bay City Council has taken is sound. Its policy in seeking the planning standards, which are in fact the Australian Standard, enforced is correct. And my public statements I consider are appropriate for me in my capacity as Mayor. It would be inappropriate should they have been expressed by me in my capacity as an acting Crown Prosecutor.
Jun 17, 2010
Hensley Field almost complete
The playing surface of Hensley is almost complete. Just the running track to go. With a bit of good weather this fabulous multi user sports facility will be in use.
Just remember this development jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the Council would never have happened if it was not for the Rudd Government.
Just remember this development jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the Council would never have happened if it was not for the Rudd Government.
Jun 15, 2010
Affordable Housing does not mean lower amenity
For Council to initiate legal action against the Housing NSW as we have done over a proposed development in St Helena Parade, Eastlakes, is not something we do lightly. The proposed development breaches the Australian Standards for Aircraft noise.
Nowhere in Australian would a developer be given approval, by any Authority, to increase population density to that extent given the ANEF (the measure of Aircraft Noise) in which that piece of land falls.
The Development is under the flight path where residential development is discouraged by the Commonwealth Government, Council and the State Government’s own Department of Planning.
Housing NSW has not only ignored long standing policies but shows little, if any regard, for the people who would live in the new residential development.
You don’t put people into aircraft affected areas just because they are struggling or on a lower income.
Affordable Housing does not mean lower amenity.
Council had no choice but to take this Development to court. We don’t have the financial resources of the State Government nor do we have the powers to override local planning policies. Housing NSW is allowed to ignore Australian and local planning policies and approve its own new developments, regardless of what residents or councils think. They’ve done it across NSW and there’s a lot of community anger about what’s going on.
When Housing NSW decided to acquire a property in St Helena Parade in Eastlakes and replace one house with seven townhouses, Council was opposed. The development is too big for the area and if anyone else wanted to do what Housing NSW intended, they would be prevented by Council, the NSW Department of Planning and probably the Land and Environment Court. Housing NSW can just ignore all of that and do what it likes. They came out to see us and it was an example of bureaucratic bungling at its best. They outlined the development and Council officers asked a simple question about aircraft noise.
Remember, this was on a piece of land Housing NSW had paid $1.1 million to acquire – and that’s not chickenfeed.
It was almost comical as each of the State bureaucrats looked at each other questioningly – did you check? Did you? What about you? None did and that was that.
Did this mean they would rethink? No, not a chance.
This development is out of place, out of keeping and not in the best interests of the community or the people who will live in it. Now we will test Housing NSW’s approval of its own development in the Land and Environment Court. If what Housing NSW proposes is deemed good planning, good residential policy or a good outcome for local residents, then I’d have to question my own beliefs and policies. Riding roughshod over councils and communities is not good public administration
Nowhere in Australian would a developer be given approval, by any Authority, to increase population density to that extent given the ANEF (the measure of Aircraft Noise) in which that piece of land falls.
The Development is under the flight path where residential development is discouraged by the Commonwealth Government, Council and the State Government’s own Department of Planning.
Housing NSW has not only ignored long standing policies but shows little, if any regard, for the people who would live in the new residential development.
You don’t put people into aircraft affected areas just because they are struggling or on a lower income.
Affordable Housing does not mean lower amenity.
Council had no choice but to take this Development to court. We don’t have the financial resources of the State Government nor do we have the powers to override local planning policies. Housing NSW is allowed to ignore Australian and local planning policies and approve its own new developments, regardless of what residents or councils think. They’ve done it across NSW and there’s a lot of community anger about what’s going on.
When Housing NSW decided to acquire a property in St Helena Parade in Eastlakes and replace one house with seven townhouses, Council was opposed. The development is too big for the area and if anyone else wanted to do what Housing NSW intended, they would be prevented by Council, the NSW Department of Planning and probably the Land and Environment Court. Housing NSW can just ignore all of that and do what it likes. They came out to see us and it was an example of bureaucratic bungling at its best. They outlined the development and Council officers asked a simple question about aircraft noise.
Remember, this was on a piece of land Housing NSW had paid $1.1 million to acquire – and that’s not chickenfeed.
It was almost comical as each of the State bureaucrats looked at each other questioningly – did you check? Did you? What about you? None did and that was that.
Did this mean they would rethink? No, not a chance.
This development is out of place, out of keeping and not in the best interests of the community or the people who will live in it. Now we will test Housing NSW’s approval of its own development in the Land and Environment Court. If what Housing NSW proposes is deemed good planning, good residential policy or a good outcome for local residents, then I’d have to question my own beliefs and policies. Riding roughshod over councils and communities is not good public administration
Jun 13, 2010
Aboriginal Heritage Plan
Council is preparing an Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Plan for all our suburbs – Banksmeadow, Botany, Daceyville, Eastgardens, Eastlakes, Hillsdale, Mascot and Pagewood. And to make this important plan successful, we need the help and involvement of the Aboriginal community within our City and surrounding areas.
The Plan has a range of objectives such as identifying how to protect significant sites and places to outlining better ways to recognise, respect and celebrate Aboriginal culture and the community. Council has appointed a consultant to work with us and we’re also being assisted in contacting and meeting with the Aboriginal community by a local resident, Ms Barbara Keeley-Simms. The involvement, ideas and input of the local Aboriginal community are critical to the plan’s development, contents and ultimately its effectiveness.
Please help out and have your say, by contacting: Alan Ginns (Gondwana Consulting) on 9913 3720 or at gwanacon@tpg.com.au or for more details about the plan contact Ms Suzanne Wren at Council on 9366 3556.
The Plan has a range of objectives such as identifying how to protect significant sites and places to outlining better ways to recognise, respect and celebrate Aboriginal culture and the community. Council has appointed a consultant to work with us and we’re also being assisted in contacting and meeting with the Aboriginal community by a local resident, Ms Barbara Keeley-Simms. The involvement, ideas and input of the local Aboriginal community are critical to the plan’s development, contents and ultimately its effectiveness.
Please help out and have your say, by contacting: Alan Ginns (Gondwana Consulting) on 9913 3720 or at gwanacon@tpg.com.au or for more details about the plan contact Ms Suzanne Wren at Council on 9366 3556.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
