Clover's eNews—Friday, 14 October 2005—No. 268NEW OUTREACH SERVICE FOR HOMELESSThis week, I announced a new inner city homelessness outreach and support service with the NSW Housing Minister, Cherie Burton. This is a positive example of how two levels of government can work together effectively to provide services for those most in need. The new service will combine the Department of Housing’s Homelessness Action Team Support and Outreach Service (HATSOS) and the City’s Street Outreach Service to improve support for homeless people and avoid duplication. This outcome is the result of an independent evaluation that recommended a single service be developed to assist homeless people in the inner city. The City of Sydney and the NSW Government will work in partnership with a non-government organisation to deliver the new service. The successful organisation will initially receive funding for three years to manage the service, with a possible extension of funding for an additional two years. The new outreach and support service will work closely with other agencies in the inner city, helping to provide services such as needs assessments, health care, counselling, transport, referrals to support agencies and sustainable housing options. Rough sleepers in the City of Sydney LGA including Darlinghurst, Kings Cross, Redfern, Surry Hills, Woolloomooloo, Sydney CBD, Circular Quay, Pyrmont Ultimo Broadway and Haymarket areas will have access to the new service. Tenders have been advertised for the new service and interested organisations can contact the Department of Housing’s Homelessness Unit on 8753 8474 or the City of Sydney Homelessness Unit on 9265 9667 for more information. ABC POOL TRIAL EXTENDED SEASONI support a trial extension of the opening season at the Andrew “Boy” Charlton Swimming Pool to provide an extra month at the start and end of the season during 2006. Since becoming Lord Mayor, I have been approached by swimmers keen to use this magnificent pool during the winter. The pool’s operators report that during the last month of the season they received around ten enquiries per day seeking an extension. In August, I put a recommendation to Council, supported unanimously by all Councillors, that the CEO review options for trialling an extended season. However, the staff report, to be considered by Council next Monday, does not recommend an extension, based on the predicted drop in use in the first and last month of the current season. I believe that a trial would gauge interest from swimmers for an extended season and determine whether a permanent change is possible. The trial could extend the current season until May and begin the following season in September to keep the pool open nine months of the year, rather than the current seven month season. I will put to the Finance Committee on Monday that the season be extended by a month at each end in 2006. If the level of patronage does not justify the move, it could revert to the existing season period the following year. MENTAL HEALTH WEEK LAUNCHThis week I spoke at the launch of Mental Health Week at St Vincent’s Hospital, following a moving reflection presented by the Head of Mission and volunteers. We usually take our health for granted and only think about mental health when we face a crisis. However, the statistics tell us that one in five people will experience some sort of diagnosed mental illness during their lives, and most families will be touched by mental illness. Sydney’s inner city is home to many of those who are most marginalised – people who suffer mental illness, drug or alcohol problems, other health problems and live on the street because their lives are so chaotic and supported accommodation is so scarce. A civil society would make sure that there are adequate services that can help people when they are in crisis, and I am working with St Vincent’s Mental Health Service and the NSW Government to get more funds, better facilities, and badly-needed community support services. Just a couple of weeks ago, Kevin Kellehear presented a valuable workshop at the Wayside Chapel, where he argued that there is a continuum of mental health – with wellness at one end and mental illness and crisis at the other. Kevin said that we can all help people boost their resistance to “breakdown” and crisis, so that they do not slide further into illness. He pointed out that we all need coping skills, resources and supports, and that you don’t need any special training to help someone identify and use their coping strategies. Kevin’s model reminds us that anyone can become unwell, and a caring community, along with a supportive family and friends, will provide the best insurance against mental illness. This could be something simple like taking the time to say hello to a neighbour, listening when someone needs to have a chat, or organising a walking group in your street. We also have some wonderful community organisations in the inner city that help take the place of family and friends for those who can no longer rely on them, and I acknowledge those workers and volunteers who given their time and skills to helping others. Mental Health is as much about staying well, as getting treatment when you are ill. That is what we celebrate this week. When we look after each other, we can prevent mental illness and reduce its impact. ANOTHER DA FOR PADDINGTON PCYC SITEI have again supported residents’ concerns about overdevelopment of this site, which was the former Paddington Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) site. This follows two different plans submitted in 2004. The proposed development is inconsistent with planning controls, represents an overdevelopment and intensification of use, with excessive height and bulk. Residents are also concerned about loss of amenity due to privacy impacts and overshadowing, parking and traffic, and loss of views. While these proposals appear to offer minor improvements on the previous proposal submitted (DA 300/2004), the same concerns about that proposal apply. I have again asked that the rights and amenity of existing residents should be protected and enhanced. For these reasons, I asked that this Development Application also be refused. DANKS STREET FESTIVALI invite you to join me at the Danks Street Festival which the City is presenting in Waterloo on Sunday 23 October 2005 to showcase the diversity and strength of the local communities. The Festival starts at 11.00 am and continues to 4.00 pm. The festival will highlight the changing face of what was once a mostly industrial area. Warehouses and derelict buildings have been replaced by successful family owned businesses, galleries, cafes and food suppliers selling fresh and imported produce. The street will be closed for the day, enabling it to come alive with music, art and entertainment. Children will their own area, the “Kids Zone”, they can make their own art work to take home or contribute to a giant community mosaic. The Fernside Skate competition will take place at nearby Waterloo Oval. LATM REVIEW UNDERWAYThe City has around 30 Local Area Traffic Management Schemes (LATMS) developed over many years by the former City, South Sydney and Leichhardt Councils. Some schemes are complete, while others are not fully implemented or need review due to changes since the studies were undertaken. LATMS use physical road changes, such as roundabouts and speed humps, to address traffic issues on a precinct-wide basis so that problems are solved, where possible, and not just moved to another street. The schemes are developed with public consultation and require the support of the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) for proposed changes to be implemented. The City’s Strategic Plan identifies road safety, traffic congestion and residential amenity as significant issues, and calls for LATMS to be developed for areas with specific needs, particularly to manage congestion and give priority to pedestrians and sustainable transport. I and other City Councillors have asked for a report to be prepared on existing LATMS and directions for an integrated approach to traffic management across the city, particularly in light of the changes from the Cross City Tunnel. A report on LATMS, initially proposed for discussion at the City’s next Planning, Development and Transport Committee meeting, has been deferred for further work. I welcome your comments on local traffic management issues and will ask Council staff to address them in finalising a draft strategy for consideration by Council. EVENT ALERT!
WWW.CLOVERMOORE.COMClover's eNews is a regular update to keep the community informed on important issues, events and campaigns. To join the free email subscription list, email clover@clovermoore.com with SUBSCRIBE eNEWS in the subject and your name, email address and suburb in the body of the email. You can also subscribe here on line. — Clover Moore, Independent Member for Bligh |
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