Saying goodbye to ‘09 & welcoming 2010

As I look at what will be the first week in some time without some kind of meeting, forum or committee I am heartened by the number of people who give of their time so freely to work for the community?  This has been a very full 12 months in Liverpool and 2010 is shaping up to be very much the same. To those very special individuals in our community thank you for making 2009 such a fabulous, challenging and engaging time. The year ahead brings some real challenges. We are facing an enormous container storage facility right here on our river and an exceptionally large transport hub to move those – up to 1,000,000 containers. The rail issues continue, as does the problems with sewerage, the lack of buses, the noise walls, the removal of lakes at Cecil hills, Prestons pollution etc, etc. etc.,

I am  taking  this opportunity to wish you and your families all the best this Christmas season can bring, but mostly that the new year brings with it some solutions to the problems that face us as a Regional City. Liverpool is a great place to work, relax, play and it offers so much more in potential and promise of things to come.

Enjoy whatever break you get , I’m working :-{  but will enjoy a bunch of Public Holidays and look forward to working with you and for you in 2010.

A quick note of congrats to the council staff who came up with the grant ideas for the noise walls at the last council meeting etc and the councillors who supported the recommendation, fingers crossed this gets the walls for the residents of Casula whilst giving this lousy excuse for a government an out for not doing what is right… hopefully a Win for these tired and neglected residents and a shameful pass for the NSW Labor and Liberal parties who have done everything they could NOT to do what is right. Also a quick thank you to Cllr Peter Harle for being there when none or few of his colleagues are, were, or even planned to be. Peter we might not always agree but at least we are there for the residents, shamefully not enough of the other councillors bother.

And a timely reminder to our Councillors and Mayor, regardless of the independent  review outcome ,  what you say on the phone,  in caucus or anywhere  may be deemed private but you represent us and we’d like you to do that with some class and consideration please.

Lastly… pls don’t forget to get your comments into council with regards to the CBD Parking strategy and  to the RTA telling them that ONE (1) additional lane on the M5 is simply not enough, whilst giving two lanes to the people (who don’t pay tolls) in the inner  western suburbs by duplicating the tunnel…

Merry Christmas, have a wonderful, relaxing break and may 2010 bring every Joy, peace and happiness to you all.  SEE you in 2010 ….

winding UP not down

As Christmas approaches and forums wind down, it would be easy to think things are slowing down… but in Liverpool this is not the case, this week I’ve attended a number of groups all of whom know that Christmas will not be a quiet time.

Monday I had the pleasure of catching up with the residents of Cecil Hills who are fighting to maintain the lakes across from their homes. Although sold as lakes the developers are set on creating another medium density housing estate right over the lakes… never mind the wild life, the flora- forget them- we’ll build some wetlands a bit further on so they can manage for themselves. DOH…did I hear that right, they’ll build more wetlands, why not leave the ones there  alone, win/win for all, the eco system is well established, the residents bought and paid for the view and the developer plans to build more wetlands ?”()? … what? so they can fill them in when they see the dollar signs and need more developable  land. Let’s get real, the lakes are established and flourishing… leave them alone, locals enjoy the open space which by the way is along the creek line. Leave it alone! Landcom & Mirvac have considerable land holdings in the vicinity, develop those and leave this valuable eco system alone, the swans, the water birds, come on…

Tuesday night was the councils forum in the CBD, considerable effort was put forward to invite business owners and operators in the CBD to come along and look at the options being put forward by council and the CBD Committee with regards to parking in the CBD… 30 or so business people came, many quite sceptical that they would be ignored and their ideas dismissed.  I’m pleased to say this is not the case, and I urge all the business owners in Liverpool to read the proposals (Available on the council website www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au) and make comment. This CBD info session/ forum was a direct link from the CBD Committee (all who read this regularly will know I and Frank Cartisano are the community representatives) and we want you to let us know what you feel about the ideas, give us any suggestions and contribute to our CBD. For our city to flourish we need to address the parking situation and the suggestions in this document are designed to make shoppers feel more welcome and spend their money in local businesses. If you would like to discuss this with me either email swesterberg@lso.com.au or call me on 8777 5599. I’m extremely passionate that we address the issues of parking in Liverpool ASAP, this is our city and we need to involve ourselves in its growth.

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Environment Advisory Committee, (here also I am the Community Rep) and I thoroughly relish the ideas and processes in place to restore and appreciate our environment, be it community involved workshops or the riparian works done along our creeks and in our parks…this is what you pay for in your rates, the environment levy we all pay and knowing that it is being spent correctly and effectively is something we all should be interested in.

Things that are happening you may be interested in: Saturday at  9am – 1pm Moorebank Community Centre (Cnr Nuwarra Rd & Maddeck’s Ave, Moorebank) there is an M5 Expansion information session being held. I f you or someone you know use the m5, cross it or simply travel around Liverpool you might be interested in popping along and having listen to the proposals. There is also a website link www.m5expansion.com.au  While you are there come up and say hello and tell me your thoughts on the Intermodal being planned for the School of Military engineering site (another reason for the M5 expansion).

On the 12^th 12.30-3.30 is the LAG (Liverpool Action Group) meeting at the Liverpool Library – I’ll be there also so pop in, meet some like minded people and discuss issues that either interest you or affect you in Liverpool.

19^th-  the following week again at the Library is the Liverpool/Fairfield Greens meeting, our last for the year, 10.30—12.30  another fabulous opportunity to share with us your hopes, concerns and issues – we have some terrific ideas we’d like to share with you

Then if you still have time, don’t forget to comment to council on the CBD parking strategy due 11^th January, or the lakes issue at Cecil Hills.  Then of course if you have some time you could write to council and tell them how disgusted you are that the residents of West Hoxton don’t have access to sewerage, or that the residents of Casula still have no noise barriers, or the residents of Sadleir, Ashcroft  & Casula Links can’t get to a bus in a reasonable walking distance or in fact any bus if you live west of Cowpasture Road.  Any of the issues that affect resident’s of the greater Liverpool. Maybe also that we still have no real information regarding the intermodal and more

This in fact is a great City; it still needs some work but is worth the time.

Council Meeting 23.11.09

This week’s council meeting saw a couple of changes; firstly the GM has introduced a new ‘accounting process’   for informing the councillors and public of achievements in council. Phil Tolhurst advised this will be a quarterly inclusion and is his way of highlighting some of the positives and achievements of the council during the preceding 3 months. A nice Power Point presentation was a welcome addition and it was accompanied by an interesting read in the business papers. Sadly there is no opportunity to ask questions from the gallery and most councillors didn’t ask any either.  I suggest the GM has this posted on the website for a limited time so those interested can view it at leisure, in conjunction with the meeting notes.

Secondly was the inclusion/change in a section of the council meeting that has councillors unable to ask questions without notice. This has been replaced with Questions on Notice which in essence will achieve something I’ve been pushing for now for some time…answers!!! in the past councillors have been able to ask questions at the end of the meeting with this  allowing time for council staff to come back with the answer directly to the councillor,to which  the community never hears the answer. Questions have recently been included in the next addition of the agenda/business papers… however rarely we do the public see the answers… This is a good inclusion in that you can have your councillor ask a question on your behalf or theirs as long as it is a minimum of three days prior to the printing of the agenda for inclusion in the minutes and allow the staff a couple of days to have an answer ready for the council meeting

This new process is a directive from the Department of Local Government and although listed as meeting practice notes… is actually a directive and must be adhered to.

On another matter, Councillor Mannoun tried to adjust the CBD committee recommendation by adding an eat street clause – NOT ON Councillor Mannoun, certainly not when it could be construed that the eat street may benefit one particular portion of the business community over others… this was a blatant attempt by Councillor Mannoun to usurp the process, whether or not well intentioned or deliberate, this is why we have committees so one person alone cannot push a personal agenda. Plus as a member of this particular committee and one of the original people seeking the development of an ‘eat street’ it needs to develop with community input and consultation. Good try but NOT ON… and I am certainly not alone in asking that Councillors remember they are there to serve the community at large… not individual sections of it.

In the Public forum two ladies spoke passionately about the occurrence of garbage trucks entering the Hoxton park estate prior to 5.30am… they have been advised that as the estate suffers from traffic congestion after those hours that the garbage contractors have special permission to start and finish early. Whilst I totally understand their desire for uninterrupted sleep it was clearly an attempt to have council confirm a previously dispelled notion that the roads in this particular estate are narrow and cause traffic problems that will be exacerbated by the inclusion of the MFI School in Hoxton Park. Good luck ladies I still think the schools access should be via Hoxton Park Road and it is merely an RTA directive ( Should be RTAG – Right  There Above GOD) and is not warranted when there are already access roads installed along Hoxton Park Road.

Finally tonight is the last Council forum for the year, and whilst I’m usually in attendance an o’seas guest has meant I’ve missed the western and tonight the Central Forum. May I Wish all the attendees a wonderful break and I look forward to working with you in 2010.   A special congrats to Judith Banks for her Order of Liverpool award, (and of course the other recipients) Judith is an amazing lady who works tirelessly in the community… and who attends the forums and is a worthy recipient of this award.

It’s time:

We all are now more aware of the Intermodal and the huge impact this will have on the residents of Wattlegrove and the greater Liverpool. At the meeting on Monday I asked that the community be included in the discussion process and now, not wait until it’s either built or too late. I was approached by another member of the CILTA group who indicated she will attempt to organise another community forum and information session.

 If you would like to be included in any forums or information sessions that come up please register your name and email address with swesterberg@lso.com.au and I will add you to the data base of interested and concerned members of the community. I am a member of the Liverpool Fairfield Greens and this is  NOT an attempt to gather details for any other purpose other than the Intermodal and issues pertaining to the Liverpool area. I strongly believe that the community on the whole needs to be informed and included in this development and am keen to makes sure we are. Information will be sent to you privately under BCC so no one else will be able to gather your details.

Simply send an email to: swesterberg@lso.com.au with YES in the subject line and your name and email address, phone number if you choose and I will do everything I can to make sure information reaches you as it becomes available.

On another note, Last night’s forum was most interesting, the Rural fire brigade spoke on the new fire warnings now in place, we the residents strongly voiced our opinions on a couple of issues and voted unanimously to have them included in the minutes as motions, Council staff spoke about the Restoration & Revegetation processes and the sale of Public assets… all in all a good meeting with some strong opinions and debate. The last Eastern forum for the year I might add.

Frustration begins in Liverpool

Talk about frustrated… last week ARTC chose to halt works because of a Tip, seems the tip is more important than the affected people of Casula, nobody wants to tell us or include us in discussions regarding the intermodal  oops ‘proposed intermodal at Moorebank’, silica still fills the windy air at Prestons, West Hoxton still suffers the sewerage outfall with  no impending remedy, and now our Member of Parliament Mr Paul Lynch makes $700,000 (A GOOD THING) available to help those living in squaller  but only if you live in inner Sydney or the eastern and northern suburbs… did anyone tell him we have issues of people living in appalling circumstances right here in his electorate?

Damn I get annoyed… when I was campaigning last year and knocking on doors the most upsetting thing was the number of houses I called on where elderly people were living in sub standard situations…now our LOCAL Member hands out money (through his portfolio)  to those living in the inner city or in harbour side/eastern/northern suburbs. Please don’t get me wrong, NO ONE should have to live under these appalling circumstances but when does charity begin at home? Certainly not here in Liverpool it seems if you happen to live in a safe labor seat forget it…charity begins elsewhere…

I’ve lived in Liverpool for just about 50years and nothing drives me crazier than the neglect we feel here in Liverpool and our surrounding suburbs even from our own elected representatives… and yet on the whole we the people are so damned loyal… when can the same thing be said about those same representatives…?

To many things to wait

What a terrific meeting on Saturday, first I caught up with a like minded local who was willing to sit and spend time with me discussing a couple of important issues in Wattlegrove and Moorebank thanks Valerie, then on to the Green’s meeting where again I had the privilege to sit amongst like minded locals and discuss matters important to the whole Liverpool Area. A special thanks to DB for her contribution to our meeting with Lee Rhiannon. It is important to realise that so much of what happens while not costing much still incurs a fee…rest assured we aren’t frivolous and acknowledge the work done by so few for so many.  

Last Thursday I had the honour of attending the GRCCC (Georges River Combined Councils Committee)meeting at Wollondilly, I am as you probably know the Community Rep on the UGRUSP (we met Friday afternoon, more soon) and we had three speakers and wow it was interesting.

1^st one of the Authors of Rivers of Resilience, this book has recently been released and speaks of the Aboriginal community who live (and lived) along the Georges River, I just can’t wait to get my head into that book as it mentions so much of  my life (albeit I’m not aboriginal) but the settlements and lives of people who moved here from the likes of Redfern and Riverwood… all the way back to when the first fleeters settled in the areas between here and Sydney cove… there is also a display on right now in the Liverpool Library…up on the top floor and although only a quick look inspires me to return when I have a little more time.

The second speaker spoke of the wonderful works being done along the river at Bankstown…if you take a drive to Lake Gillawarna… and see the 3 D house on the corner of Newbridge Rd and Henry Lawson Drive…then take a walk along the pathways all the way up to the Barnaby’s site and see the amazing artworks placed there and the stories involved…well worth your time… I was at the Launch a couple of months back and am still impressed…

Thirdly – A couple who spoke at great detail about the proposed mining lease BHP Billiton has on the banks of the Georges river in Appin. Scary!!!

Friday I attended as the community rep for the Upper Georges River Urban Sustainability Project… we meet regularly and have been working diligently on things that can be done to improve access and the health of the Georges River, from Appin where it begins to here in Liverpool. Recently a local said to me that he’d not heard anything since the initial community meeting and when I reminded my colleagues that our work was not necessarily being seen by the local communities a decision was made to have brief prepared and circulated to the community through the local papers. Keep your eyes peeled for this I’m sure you’ll be impressed with the things that have started and will soon start on and around our beautiful river.  Also please take a few minutes to check out the website we’ve been involved in www.georgesriver.org.au  this website  is a joint project between the UGRUSP & GRCCC and the two other Projects (Mid & Lower Georges) along this wonderful water way.

Once you’ve done that and appreciate the beauty of this wonderful asset…search out the BHP Billiton development at Appin and see the proposed 30year lease they have on the catchment area and the long term impacts this development will have on the Georges River…. a 30 year lease..In my opinion it is outrageous!

Meeting invitation

You are cordially invited to attend the next Liverpool Fairfield Greens Meeting at Liverpool Library this Saturday  24th at 10.30 am -12.30. We are seeking the support of both Greens members and the general community to support us as we work with local residents on a number of issues affecting Liverpool. Come along, no one will ‘pressure you’ to join. With so many different issues and situations occuring in Liverpool we value your input. 

Week ending 16th October

A little slow off the mark this week as I’ve been running from pillar to post, Council meeting on Monday night was interesting in that a matter in confidence called by Deputy  Mayor Toni Hadchiti was postponed until the end of the meeting when we were asked to wait outside while council went into closed session… 40 or so minutes passed and the doors were re-opened only to find out that the meeting had been closed… gee I wish they’d said that BEFORE the dozen or so of us waited to be included in the conversations … alas we still aren’t privy to the matter… another to add to the ever growing list of matters discussed in confidence…

There were three who spoke in the speaker’s forum, myself, seeking the support of councillors on the ridiculously unsafe “proposed” road through Berryman reserve at Warwick Farm… what a dangerous idea… and two speakers from the street university speaking on the Legal Walls at Casula Powerhouse.  The IHAP matter regarding the soccer field at Cecil Hills was deferred awaiting further discussion and information. Most other matters were discussed briefly and supported, some like the Aircraft noise affecting Chipping Norton residents having some additional requirements added, additions to the Graffiti policy and some discussion on Council meetings for 2010 with the comment by the Mayor, when additional meetings were discussed by Cllr Mannoun, that attendance at briefings could be improved…  It is clear there is no love lost between the parties at council and I doubt we can expect any change here.

I’m the Community Rep on the CBD Committee also held on Monday and all I can say is the GM attending the Forum in December should provide business owners and residents with what plans are being investigated and incorporated in the CBD. I recommend that if you are a business owner/manager or are interested in the CBD mark the 1.12.09 in your diary as a must attend. I will say however that the wheels of progress do move slowly and those of us on the committee are as keen for a positive & expedient outcome as is the community in general.

Tuesdays Forum was great, I have to say the Western Forum is a lively and motivated group and with speakers from council like the Environment Depts, Mellissa Clarke and Director of City Strategy Milan Marecic on board to answer questions – ask they did…this is one forum where shy and reserved isn’t much represented and I have to admit I love it… you walk away knowing you are amongst people of like mind who care about their community.

Things are hotting up with the Proposed Intermodal at Moorebank and Wattlegrove … this could be one of the largest developments to affect our city to date and I strongly urge everyone to keep a keen ear and be ready to support residents as this proposal if what we hear is correct will affect the entire city…not just a small pocket of residents… I will bring you more on this.

I will also bring you news on the outcome of Green’s MLC’s Lee Rhiannon & Sylvia Hales presentation to parliament on the noise walls when it comes to hand… let’s hope party politics are set aside and they can garner a good outcome for these poor residents.

So as you see, there is never a dull moment and with my involvement with the Liverpool Branch of the NSW Justices, their ongoing training and our hosting of the  State conference coming up next year there is always something happening in our city. Stay tuned, more as it comes to hand….

GM speak to forum (1/12/09 mark in your diary)

I am delighted to say that some of the suggestions made by the CBD Forum have been embraced by council and as a result the General Manager, Phil Tolhurst will speak at the December forum about the changes and aspirations for Liverpool’s CBD. This will be a terrific opportunity for local business owners and managers to meet with and discuss matters with the General Manager and I encourage everyone to mark it in their diary now. 1^st December 2009, Liverpool City Library 5.45 pm…. all welcome!

A meeting with MLC Lee Rhiannon & Graffiti gets an airing…

Things are a little quiet on the home front this week, no forums. I usually enjoy the odd week where there is nothing on at council but alas I heard that the Council staff were holding an info meeting re the draft Graffiti  policy and decided to rock on up and see if as many people as say they are, are really as passionate about the huge graffiti problem here in Liverpool. Alas not so many think it THAT important, albeit a blight on our neighbourhoods it only rated important for 7 locals, 4 of whom attend all the usual forums and Councillor Lucas and two residents I’d not met before. Might I say at this point I’d already read the documents and made my submission (on line here if you’d like a read). As you know I’m like everyone else, annoyed by tagging etc but I believe there are far more important issues facing Liverpool, but it was interesting to hear from one young fellow who not only does the art work at the Powerhouse but also teaches aerosol art. If you read my submission I think the most important thing we can do here is separate the words graffiti and art. To me they aren’t interconnected, and when reminded last night that young people call it so, I questioned the need for re education. The older of us in the community need to face the education that for some aerosol art is a valid form or art, so why can’t the younger people learn to differentiate the two words? Alas not enough people considered this the burning issue so perhaps some of our councillors can redirect their focus onto issues more needing of their attention, don’t get me wrong, we need to address the issue of graffiti and firmly but move on we must.

Of greatest importance to me this week was the meeting held at the community centre in Mill Road, with MLC Lee Rhiannon, where Lee asked for input from the community as to their hopes and desires for their suburb in relation to the new ARTC rail lines and the new road to the Casula Powerhouse……what a great turn out last evening. Also terrrific putting some well known names and faces together.

Lee asked the residents to tell her, their stories, how the ARTC rail development was affecting them, and they did. Although a highly emotive issue for many they told their personal stories, the interaction with the Government agencies, the effects on their health and safety, with such decorum and passion. The huge potential cost of continued battering by noise and sleep deprivation on their health alone is a matter that should be capturing the attention of the Government departments. The State Greens team led by MLC Rhiannon will do all they can to get this issue forefront and fixed. For me it was also great to have the input of Councillors Napolitano and Harle,  Helena from the Leader and Mal from Street Corner and as one resident noted to be able to work alongside each other will bring the best results. This is how a community should work, no one-up-man-ship just concerned people working together to achieve the desired result.

At the same time across town the Hoxton Park Group had a meeting also and are working on their case for the courts in November. If you ‘d like to help them with the potential costs involved contact the HPRAGInc@hotmail.com or buy a raffle ticket. I’ve been told many local businesses have donated products for raffle to help offset the costs of this legal challenge.

There are many things being thrust upon us here in Liverpool, I’m all too happy to assist where I can as is the whole Liverpool Fairfield Greens team. If you would like to chat with us on any issue please feel free to contact me or Bill Cashman (theres a link on this page).

Liverpool is our home, this is where our hearts are and we want what you want, a safe, healthy environment that looks after its residents, its workers and visitors.

Have a great long weekend….