A fitting and appropriate event

It’s almost a week since the opening of Phil Tolhurst Park… a string quartet, catered knibblies and a fitting and appropriate speech from Mayor Waller. Phil’s family were in attendance as was his new Grandson Jack Phillip.

It was lovely to see so many of  his friends and colleagues both past and present  in attendance and the noted absences were appreciated.

I managed a few photo’s and as soon as I ‘find’ them in my PC I will post them, (sorry new camera, new system and they’re in there somewhere) how’s that, I finally remembered to take a camera and actually took some pics. Perhaps I should have stuck with the phone LOL.

 

Don’t forget the draft operational plan and draft budget are on exhibition at the moment; submissions are due by COB Wednesday 30th. This is your opportunity to comment on how the council(lors) get to spend your rate money and what on.

Also Monday 7pm is the scheduled council meeting, I don’t get to see the minutes until after noon today and suggest you have a look on line if you’d like to see what is planned and whether or not you would like to address the councillors on a particular topic.

Also Sorry day tomorrow at the Regional Museum, sadly I have another meeting and wont’ be there but hope we get a good turnout for this important part of our calendar year.

Keep it or sell it?

Time is fast running out for you to comment on the re classification (for sale or lease)  OR NOT of No 1 Hoxton Park Road, the site of the old Council Chambers.

My views are clearly stated in my submission (posted on submissions page) and I am keen for all Liverpuldians to have a say, it was originally only on exhibition for 14days, that thankfully has been extended but you have less than a week to have your voice heard… your submission doesn’t have to be a formatted/formal  document, simply state your feelings and make sure you include the appropriate file reference:

REF: (File No. 2011/4555) Reclassification of 1 Hoxton Park Rd

post or email it to the General Manager at gm@liverpool.nsw.gov.au or Locked Bag 7064 Liverpool BC 1871.

Remember if you say nothing your views cannot be heard…so speak up.

Coopers Paddock Submission Due NOW

click onto the submissions and petitions link if you would like to read my submission… feel free to use it as a guide , however for more comprehensive information refer to the save coopers paddock website http://savecooperspaddock.com/ or the council website for the exhibition information. http://www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/onexhibition.htm#AMENDMENT14

and lodged your submission today,.

Submissions

Don’t forget I post all my council submissions in the Petitions and Submissions section of this blog post.  I’m happy to hear your comment regarding the submissions and hope that my posting them encourages you to make comment on happenings here in Liverpool yourself.

I am excited by the work being done through the CBD committee (of which I am your representative) please remember if you have an idea or suggestion, simply forward it to me via email, phone call or whatever method you like and I’ll pass it onto the committee for you, same goes for the Environment Advisory Committee and the Community and Recreation Panel…that’s what I’m there for to share your views with the decision makers. Make sure you are heard… let me know, to those who have already…things are a happening …keep those ideas, concerns and questions coming.

Forums, clarification, submissions and sad news

I thoroughly enjoy my interaction with residents at community forums, of particular interest are the antics of some councillors, albeit at times entertaining they are not always accurate. But as elections are due in just over a year I am sure we can expect more and more as the month’s progress. I get particularly annoyed when a councillor attempts to disparage people in the community by misquoting and misrepresenting their view or blog information. When it is me you are attempting to ‘OUT’ councillor seriously… READ … the information, don’t just scan it, you need to understand a few things. 1) I don’t play games, Liverpool is way to important to me 2) what I write is clearly my opinion and is as well researched as possible 3) scanning as opposed to actually reading it isn’t sufficient considering poor memory skills, you really need to read the entire document and in context if you are attempting to draw attention to a comment I’ve made or a piece you have heard about. If reading my opinion is too much for you, don’t, remove your automatic notification from my site, thereby reducing your angst.

I apologise for the above clarification but when people insist on quoting my opinion I really do believe they should actually read it and not just jump to a conclusion based on a titbit of information gleaned from another source. There will be more of this I guess as we come close to elections, I’ve attended all the forums for years now, some Councillors come sporadically, many not at all… but that will change over the coming months as people wish to enlist your vote and think you are silly enough not to notice their lack of engagement previously.

I commend the forums as being your chance to actually voice opinion and concern relating to our city, I’ve learned a great deal from the staff presentations and encourage everyone who can to come along. A great deal can be achieved when people come together for a common cause as has been the case here in Liverpool.

Submissions: The local Leader paper has a weekly update of council happenings; albeit not an easy read it often provides a lot of useful information regarding proposed developments in our LGA. This week, actually today, the submissions are due relating to the proposed development of the site on the Hume Hwy & Gov Macquarie Drive. My submission is here on line, (see submissions) so feel free to read through them but my point is that a lot happens here in Liverpool and our staff are pretty good at advising the community through the paper, however unless you really look at what is happening you may just miss an opportunity to speak out ‘for’ or ‘against’ a particular project that is of importance to you… as I always say you won’t be heard if you don’t speak up.

Lastly a sad note, last week we all lost a beloved member and friend, Simone Morrissey was struck down with a brain aneurism and heart attack and died at the tender age of 24, Simone was the Greens candidate for Menai at the last election and will be missed by those who knew her, appreciated her zest for life and her commitment to our community. Rest Peacefully Simone, you left us to soon and you will be missed.

 OOPS sorry nearly forgot, last week I reported that the Council meeting date for September was either wrong or the day moved, I can now say that it was moved to a Wednesday, 28th, I’m not sure why at this point but will advise when I do, as I know many people schedule activities (most especially staff I imagine) and the change of day should have a damn good reason not merely as rumoured that one particular councillor will be away so wanted to change the date…for his convenience. This is not in my opinion a good enough reason to inconvenience so many. More when I know more… but please note the day change, this meeting in the past has been where councillors nominate for committees etc, my hope this year (as I think last year) is that Councillors only put their hand up for committees they actually plan to attend, the absentee rate of councillors this year has been around 50% which is woeful.

Coopers, Intermodal’s, council meetings and much

What a busy week, Sunday I attended the Intermodal protest at Clinches Pond supporting the residents against the monster-modal and the Coopers paddock development. 96 people signed one of the petitions, along with the other petitions signed for the intermodal, chats with many of the 600 or so people attending – Congrats to FLG Member Craig Reedy for being the voice of the community concerns on channel 10.

Mondays council meeting was ‘interesting’ some of the councillor’s behaviour was as usual less than impressive to the point of tantrums but alas we expect no less these days.

Tuesday: The Community Mental Health forum at Liverpool Catholic club was terrific and very informative; I don’t often take days off work but am so glad I did and appreciate the efforts in bringing this to almost 200 residents of Liverpool answering many questions that I’m sure many of us have asked ourselves in the past. Congrats to Sharyn for organising it and those specialists who attended and provided lots of information. Congrats also to L’pool Catholic Club for providing both the venue and catering. Sad again was that the event was supported by the Mayor and her Local & Federal MP’s but none of the our other councillors were in attendance. I am dismayed that albeit it a worthy cause, politics appears to have prevented their support. The NAIDOC event was at the same time so sadly I missed attending that, however watched the tag-team between Mayor Waller and Mp Lynch as they both attended both.

Tuesday night’s forum at Mill road was also interesting and gave me the opportunity to ask a question of the council officer that I’d been asked at Clinches Pond on the Sunday.  Answer: The GPTS had to be cleaned out when Heathcote Road was at its least busy; therefore Council Staff were there on a Sunday to attend to this need… that’s info for the fellows who asked me why staff were working there on the Sunday?

Tonight is the final event for the relay for life for 2011, we did so well its’ amazing the entire Liverpool Group raised in excess of $48,600 of which our small team did $2300 +, what an amazing effort and congrats to those who participated and sponsored the relay this year. On a sad note one of our Liverpool Participants, Donna who started the relay off this year, succumbed to cancer this week, rest peacefully Donna, your strength is an inspiration to all, our thoughts are with Maggie, the family and team.

Thursday night is the Leaders Forum at the Francis Greenway centre, while not all Mp’s will be in attendance I’m looking forward to another feisty event. It is open to the public, starts at 7pm, all welcome.

Last thing, submissions for Collingwood and Councillors Pay are due today, the Cabramatta Wetlands due on the 6th July. If you don’t speak up you won’t be heard!

New seating option

In my recent submission regarding the upgrade of Bigge Park here    I suggested using recycled plastic seating because it will wear longer, be less prone to carving and fire damage and this picture shows it looks good to…

this Picture is from Tassie where MP Nick McKim is with Heather Haselgrove from Metro testing out the new seats.

Did you know?

I often write  submissions / letters to proposals put forth by council etc as I hope many of you do too… did you know I post my letters/submissions etc on this site?  For ease of access check out the Submissions and Petitions page,  I list them there… just in case you wanted to read anything I’ve submitted or written.

My faith renewed

As some of you who have been reading my posts for the last 19months know I’m pretty passionate, I’ve also become a little jaded (just a little), no matter how hard I try bureaucracy disappoints. The people of Liverpool generally inspire me but the red tape, the brick walls and the failure to do what is right by all levels of government distresses, frustrates and infuriates me.

So why my faith renewed, it’s simple, after reading copious amount of info, after talking with residents and wondering if the many hours I spend, writing submissions, commenting on issues there is rarely a glimmer of hope or  acknowledgement that they are even considered. Then out of the blue a trickle of hope that someone with the power to make a difference was listening! It started by chance with the news that instead of bulldozing Berryman Reserve (Remembrance Park) the TIDC or Rail Corp or whomever made the decision and listened to the people and had decided to build the Warwick Farm Car park over the present car park and Hart Park, and not along the highway, and that they called for public input. As I do, I asked for the info package. The very next day via Express Post I received a comprehensive CD with all manner of info about plans, councils comments etc.  The day following that I got a call to make sure that I’d received it and that if I needed more information I should just call and ask…. WOW.

I spent the next couple of weeks reading this information, formulated my thoughts and on the 22^nd Sept, emailed my submission or opinions with a cover note. Are you ready for this? In my inbox on the 23^rd was a thank you email and a promise to bring the combined results back to me….DOUBLE WOW.

Ok this matter is a long, long way from the completion, it could potentially be years before the car park is built BUT Bureaucracy for a brief moment remembered the little guy, well in this case the girl. Do I expect my suggestions to be embraced, possibly not, some I sincerely hope do get some consideration but they bothered, for this brief moment in time when all around us  is so much to be done and so few who care about the Island that is Liverpool someone took us seriously.

The fact that we are a safe seat means that if Labor is in Government as a ‘safe’ Labor seat we can be dismissed, ignored and dumped on – if the Libs were in Govt because we are a ‘safe’ Labor seat we can be dismissed ignored and dumped on. So for this one moment in time when not surrounded by sewerage, noise from rail traffic is deafening, when private schools and or developments are thrust upon us and a freight terminal of such magnitude doesn’t’ even warrant Public consultation – thank you Miss Public Affairs Assistant/communications of the Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation for the glimmer of hope that we matter, whether it was a policy decision or a juniors initiative. Thank you.

A quick reminder..next Tuesday 7pm at the Liverpool Community Hall 14b Mill Road, Liverpool come along and support the residents of Liverpools rail corridor with MLC Lee Rhiannon.

Monday night is councils Graffiti forum at council chambers.

Lastly make comment I value your input.

Signe’s submission re Draft Management Plan

As you all know I am strongly against the Proposed 9% increase in rates or the Council borrowing an additional $5m for infrastructure works. Please feel free to read my submission. Your comments are welcome.

click on this link  Submission for LCC Draft Management Plan or on the Petitions & Submissions page  and don’t forget to leave your opinion.