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.

Where to begin….

Where do I begin, we have a Mayor who thought leaving a nasty message on a councillors voice mail was private, Der !  We have a councillor who has actively worked against the Powerhouse now on the management committee and the Labor councillors have been pretty much unsuccessful on nearly all other committees.  That was the council meeting! Rubber stamping is still rife and debate was limited. I put forward some ideas with regard to the selling off of public property, and asked that the councillors vehemently pursue the noise barriers at Casula, and have had two councillors support my ideas. (Address to Liverpool City Council meeting 14.9.09) The Labor faction is infighting and then Councillor Gillani questioned the tactics used to have him ousted from the WSROC committee. Lordy these people need help they are systematically destroying themselves. If they would only put that effort into supporting the community!

The Eastern forum was as always informative, I now know how to lay a cricket pitch and why council has so few…and Simon Fox from council spoke about the Graffiti policy and invited submissions… so if you would like to comment on how Council handles, supports, eliminates graffiti this is your opportunity.

This week it was also brought to my attention that the idea of writing a submission was a little daunting to many people… I have attached an idea of what a submission can look like, for me it is simply a letter to say whether I support a particular idea or not. Suggested Submission outline

There is lots happening here in Liverpool but if you have the time on Tuesday 29^th September come along and support the residents of Casula and Wattlegrove to: The Liverpool Community Centre 14b Mill Rd Liverpool at 7pm. MLC Lee Rhiannon will be there to discuss future development and Parliamentary involvement in attempting to get what’s right done for the people of Liverpool.

Plus submissions are still needed for the New Road at Casula, the Parking station at Warwick farm and now the Graffiti policy for LCC – time to write those letters is running out, call me if  I  can assist or email me at swesterberg@lso.com.au

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.

Community Land near Collingwood House – Submission to Council

Recently Liverpool City Council has proposed to re-allocate the land between Liverpool’s Historical Collingwood House and the Liverpool Regional Museum  from ‘Operational Land’ to ‘Community Land’.

You can view Liverpool City Council’s Public Notice to re-allocate here.
You might also be interested in viewing the location at whereis.com.

I have made a Submission to Liverpool Council in support of the re-allocation and detailing my proposal for it’s use for and by the community. Please click here to view my submission.

Unfortunately, we are up against the possiblity that developers and business groups will also petition council with submissions. If we want to secure this land as a community space (even if you invisage something that I have not included or something different!) we still have to submit in support of the proposal. Or run the risk of losing out to those in favour of it remaining ‘operational’ land. Please help us gather numbers to secure this proposal in favour of our community!

If you would like to help create a community space on this land, celebrating our common and rich local history, you can do one of the following:

1. Print off a copy of the letter here, fill in you address in the top right hand corner, place your name at the bottom and sign and send as per the address I have there for the General manager of LCC.
2. Contact me via the details listed on the Contact Signe page and I can list you on a petition in support of my submission.

The deadline for this submission is December 3rd 2008.

Together we can build a wonderful community celebrating our rich history and making new places in which we can do so.