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. 

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….

The year in review

Well it’s now been one full year give or take a few days, we have a council elected by the people for the people…well perhaps not so much for the people… Here is a quick rundown of what I see has and hasn’t happened… sadly there is more of the hasn’t than has. Listed in no particular order and is by no means complete, if you feel you can add, please do so by commenting . As always I value your input be it positive and or negative.

What the Councillors Have made HAPPEN…whether we liked it or not…

• They Have increased rates- promised & promoted to be 12.5% that actually amounted to between 17% -30% for most residents.
• They have – made sure they got the top pay scale available.
• They Have – continued the infighting amongst themselves at council meetings, factions and fractions formed early and have continued to the present day.
• They Have – attended Council meetings: In fairness council meetings have had pretty good attendance… one councillor through a death in the family was absent, another was ill and another it was pointed out perhaps forgot to set the alarm. All in all except for these three occasions they have attended scheduled council meetings, although not privy to briefings it’s been said to me that attendance here is not so well represented.
• They Have – encouraged the increase the number of apprentices hired by Liverpool City Council.
• The Have – secured Collingwood House and its surrounds for the future.
• They Have – managed to take 3 junkets on our behalf… 7 members attended the Broken Hill State conference and The Mayor & Gary Lucas attended the Canberra summit while now another 7 are preparing for the Tamworth State conference. Although strictly conveyed as development and training, I’m still unsure why we need such a large contingent at these events. These I might add are the publicly advised events; I cannot say if there have been others for which we pay for our councillors to attend. We won’t know this until the budget indicates councillor expenses.
• The Mayor has – appeared to be pretty busy; she has managed to acknowledge plenty of functions she has attended although whether or not she has managed to fit in her full time job as well is unknown to me.

What Councillors didn’t’ do:

• They Haven’t - had too much activity amongst the community by councillors – nonexistent with perhaps exception of vote promoting support to smaller core groups
• They Haven’t – facilitated transparency – way too much is done behind closed doors, comments by councillors in previous posts confirm this.
• They Haven’t - Debated issues in Council, on way too many occasions the councillors have simply rubber stamped ideas – very little active debate was done in chambers.
• They Haven’t – Worked within the community amongst the community to raise the profile of issues important to the residents. E.g. proposed container terminal, South Sydney Freight lines, M5, bus services to the western region etc
• They Haven’t – supported many of the community functions i.e. National tree day (NO one attended at all)
• They certainly Haven’t – Promoted Liverpool as a destination of note, or for that matter promote Liverpool at all.
• They Haven’t – Cleaned up our city – highly promoted in election campaigns as our most urgent need.
• They Haven’t – Created  pride in our community again high on the list during the campaign
• They Haven’t – Fixed parking – can you see a pattern forming?
• They Haven’t – Improved infrastructure, maintenance and appearance of the LGA
• They Haven’t – Eradicated Graffiti – although it has been the number one talking point for the whole year
• They Haven’t – Fixed our Gateways – although I know work is due to start…but we are a year in.
• They Haven’t – Managed to have to Noise walls installed for the Casula residents along the rail or the m5 or at Warwick Farm.
• They Haven’t – Supported the Local residents at Hoxton Park and Austral in relation to the proposed schools… with the  exception of Cllrs: Gary Lucas, Peter Harle, Nadia Napolitano & Tony Hadchiti  who did fight for the locals in relation to Hoxton Park albeit a little late in the process they did have a reasonable shot at it. These 4 in fairness have in some small way at least started to represent the community; however there are 11 in total…
• They Haven’t – responded to the LAKES group who wrote to all councillors for support, last I heard only 1 replied, this councillor after all had managed to make upset many amongst the H/Park group and was looking to raise his image. Little to naught has received his attention since. I have now heard that some representation has been made by another councillor, although extent and details are unknown at this stage.
• They Haven’t – Attended community meetings/forums with the exception of (on occasion) Cllrs: Peter Harle, Gary Lucas and (more rarely) Tony Hadchiti.
• They Haven’t attended committee meetings on way too many occasions although  they  fought to be included in many of the council committees… for example one councillor stood for one committee in particular that has now had 5 meetings, he managed to attend only once for an hour.  Others made comments at council meetings questioning committee decisions only to have it pointed out that if they had actually attended the meeting they were in line to make decisions and that they had not bothered to attend.
• They haven’t –commenced work on Pioneer Park although money is in the bank waiting
• They haven’t – got a good reputation from the community for answering emails and letters.
• The Mayor hasn’t brought this team together; they are no closer to working as a team than they were the day before the election. Perhaps not entirely her fault but none the less disappointing.

Summary

So far I have to say that without exception these guys have cost us more than they have done, any infrastructure and maintenance that has been achieved could have also been done without councillors at all, the General manager and staff have in most cases prepared the relevant info for rubber stamping by the councillors. Our most successful initiative was perhaps the Garbage system rollout, a huge success by recognised standards was done by council staff not councillors. Several programmes have been supported but not initiated by councillors except the obsession with graffiti, and again this is in the planning stages nothing has actually happened. Those wheels of progress do turn ever so slowly don’t they?

To say I am disappointed in the achievements (or lack thereof) of the councillors because as I see it they have done little to nothing to improve Liverpool, they have cost us (big time) they support very little and they achieve even less. I don’t want to hear that they are new, we are a year in, and I won’t say that they haven’t done anything at all, I can only comment  on what is public and so far there isn’t anything much that can be said.  The two councillors (apart from the mayor) who manage to get comments out and about being Councillors Lucas and Harle seem to have attended some public forums (and recently Cllr Hadchiti has rocked up to a couple), they have attempted to have their views heard and in councillor Lucas’s case he’s the councillor who has pre empted nearly every important issue by releasing it to the local papers long before it was a council decision or while still in discussion phase. Things like the rate increase, proposed parking metres, parking initiatives etc. You only have to look back through Champion & Leader papers to prove this.

Could I have done any better?  – who knows, I guess that’s a question people can ask at the next election but surely we can expect a lot more in the coming years, after all we have these councillors for another 3 years. 

Just in closing, so I am clear, I strongly support council having councillors, pro active, passionate and active councillors. I would prefer to have been able to report on the many fantastic achievements and improvements to our Liverpool alas, all I can say is I’ve kept my word, I promised to keep an eye out whether elected or not. There are still many things to achieve here in our fair city and as part of a number of committees and groups I’ll continue to do the best I can and in the mean time I will keep you informed, I will continue to submit ideas, I will complain and I will recognise good work.

So for now, it’s been a year, we need to move forward, refocus and hopefully bounce some positiveness and passion into those councillors who appear to have done nothing but suck up fresh air in the last year and cost us money. As I said above this list is not complete, if you feel you can add, please do so by commenting.  As always I value your input be it positive and or negative.

What can we do?

So we have a town crier and the Mayor has acknowledged some lunches and functions…yay… is that all there is?

One of the best parts of what I’ve been involved with in recent years is listening to people, listening to them talk about what they’d like to see in Liverpool, their dreams, their concerns and their hopes. We don’t always agree, which is great, debate is wonderful, forums such as these allow for all opinions to come together and discuss issues. You get the odd whinger who instead of participating throws stones from the outside, knocking the attempts by citizens. Again this is their prerogative but who does it help? (Point in question the Champion online article Communication woes for LCC). At least on Street Corner and this site  people comment, again not always agreeing but free and open debate.

 So my question this week is how do we improve interaction, how do we encourage people to get involved? There are too many issues in Liverpool to list here, big issues, issues deserving of debate, discussion and downright outrage but still only a few get involved.  One of the reasons I get involved in the council forums is they are regular, the venue is provided and the small core group of attendees do care, but they are small groups by comparison… what can we do to encourage Liverpudlians to engage – not necessarily agree, many of my own opinions have been changed through debate with others closer to a situation. How do we reach more people? How do we encourage debate? What is your burning issue, something you’d like others to involve in? On our own very little will change, but if we band together we can become a force working together for the betterment of our city and its residents.

While I have your attention please consider supporting the residents get the barriers by making a submission to: ssfl@artc.com.au  the website to find out more is:  www.ssfl.artc.com.au and if you are in a writing mood the Warwick Farm car park is also calling for submissions in support of the car park over the existing (and arguing against the installation of a new street through Berryman reserve). http://www.tidc.nsw.gov.au/ or through the streetcorner post on the 28^th August.

If you’d like more info give me a call or drop me an email.

Another week in the life:

Week in and week out you hear me talk about the forums, 18 or so months ago I decided to run for council, to do that I felt I needed to understand the whole Liverpool not just my small part, so I’ve been attending all four forums since (previously I’d only attended the CBD). I report on the passion and the commitment of these residents, what they want for the community, what they are willing to do and the time they commit to doing so. I’m hooked, I attend anything I can that will give me a better understanding of what we need and where we want our city to go, I continue to attend because these residents’ inspire me, they make me even more proud to live here in Liverpool and to represent you where I can.

For a nice change I’ve been the bearer of good news… as your representative on Environmental Advisory committee with Liverpool council I was one of the first to hear of the success our new Waste Services Program had achieved and answer some localised questions, with permission (as meeting content is usually confidential until being approved by Councillors) the last two forums I’ve been able to clarify some resident concerns and report of our Success…Liverpool take a bow… in our first month we have achieved the 80% target for ‘diversion from landfill’ … most Council’s expect to achieve this over a period of time, but Liverpudlians achieved this in the first month… along with better than average results for less contamination etc we are doin’ good. Big deal I hear you say but it is, our council has spent an enormous amount of our money rolling out this program, it has been embraced by the wider community and is from all accounts a huge success. Don’t you just love hearing that money spent has been well spent? I’m the first to have a whinge if I see or feel our rates money is being wasted or ill spent, (You just have to read past blogs to see that) so to be able to report a positive is a joy and this success will save us even more money as time goes by and as legislation changes over coming years to ensure less waste is put into land fill.

I am also the community representative on the CBD Committee and would value ideas and comments you would like to make and present them on your behalf at either of the committees I represent you, so send me an email, call me or let me know and I will take your comments and ideas to the committees for you.

Just another reminder too that the Liverpool Fairfield Greens meet this Saturday in the Liverpool Library at 10.30-12.30. Remember you won’t be pressured or coerced to join or anything but we do value your comment and attendance. Learn a little more about us; tell us a little of what you would like and if there is anything we can do to help champion your cause or hopes.

Weekly update 12.8.09

Sadly the Liverpool Champion chose not to include in the paper this week the entire comment I made with regard to  Councillors and the representation in the Western/Rural areas of Liverpool nor did they include the article I was replying to. To Read the comment including the piece they chose to leave out click on here Are Liverpools rural suburbs forgotten? I guess it suits them better to see me challenge the councillors than the part that has me knock them and their poor coverage of the western area. If you’d like to read the entire article copy into your browser : www.liverpoolchampion.com.au/news/local/news/general/are-liverpools-rural-suburbs-forgotten/1590256.aspx

Other matters:  Monday I was delighted to attend the CBD Committee meeting, whilst things take some time to get rolling it was nice sitting with other committee members discussing the future plans for the CBD and how to help it flourish. I would welcome your input if you have suggestions, I am one of the community representatives and as such would be delighted to put forward ideas from the community so please don’t hesitate…call, email or see me at the CBD Forum.

The Draft Bike Plan is on public display at present so please take a few minutes and check it out. www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au I’ve already made my submission and whilst I am a realist that things being included may be limited, if we don’t make suggestions we have no one to blame but ourselves if it isn’t what you want or would like to see for Liverpool. Mostly my suggestions were to include social bike paths for smaller and young children, to encourage them to cycle. If you would like to read it Draft Bike Plan Submission

Western Forum was last night, what a delight to see so many in attendance, this forum is a wonderful example of a community embracing the forum as a means to address the community’s needs, last night also saw 3 councillors in attendance, a nice change to just one, Peter Harle who often attends, Gary Lucas who sometimes attends and a western newbie Tony Hadchiti… these guys work for you so it’s nice to see them and more importantly for them to hear you. Of course that means the other 8 didn’t show up, so hopefully they will at least attend forums closer to their homes or drop in from time to time. I know I harp a little on this, but these 11 councillors put their hand up to represent the whole of Liverpool and sadly other than for these 3 (mostly) they don’t attend community based initiatives and interaction.

The Men’s sheds, to date I’ve not had much feedback, the very little I’ve had was supportive but for this to become a reality I need more gentlemen to get on board, come on guys if you don’t know what they are call me, email me or Google men’s sheds, there are heaps of them out there and all a little different but the overall comment is that they are GOOD.

Lastly: Saturday 22^nd August is the bimonthly meeting of the Liverpool Fairfield Greens, 10.30-12.30 at Liverpool Library, please consider dropping by, we value input from members of the community and appreciate ideas for the many projects we are working on in both Liverpool and Fairfield. We encourage you to drop by and promise not to “pressure you to join” although I encourage you to take a look at us and what we do here in our local area.

National Tree Day

Congrats to council staff for a terrific morning on Sunday, whilst I’m not sure of the number of attendees the lack of Councillors in attendance was obvious. Was it perhaps this is not an election year? Was it that they need our 9% but to work alongside us on such a valuable community project was not in their job description or was it as I’ve said so oft before, that the majority of them show no need to come up close to the average Liverpudlian?  To the Lions club for cooking up a fabulous Sausage sizzle and the reptile guys who kept the children (& some not so small) entertained, thank you!!  What a lovely area to work in, as with many of you, I don’t get to visit all the fabulous sites around Liverpool as often as I’d like but the amount of work that has gone into Lighthorse Park is commendable. (Not bad for an old Tip)  I understand the environmental group who works this area is keen to assist the Parks Dept with the monument site and give it a cleanup, thank you for what you do, it’s these valuable volunteers in Liverpool that assist so much, such a shame the councillors didn’t see fit to drop by and dig in….