Clover's eNews—Friday, 21 October 2005—No. 269TUNNEL DEBACLE CONFIRMS REFORM NEEDEDI urge the State Government to establish a new Transport Co-ordination Authority that integrates roads and public transport planning, and have called for the major parties to support my legislation guaranteeing release of major public contracts to ensure they are in the public interest. The Cross City Tunnel debacle highlights the problems with the current situation. We need one authority to co-ordinate all transport (including roads), with an integrated transport plan to guide any proposal for private sector involvement—to enhance public rather than private benefit. Currently, Government agencies work at cross purposes with competing priorities, making our transport problems worse. While I welcome the new information in Cross City tunnel documents released this week, I have been raising these concerns at every stage of the Cross City Tunnel planning process: during the preliminary design, the original Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the supplementary EIS, and directly to the Minister. In Parliament in September 2002, I called on the Government to abandon the revised scheme, which I feared would increase unplanned for traffic impacts on residential areas, worsen air and noise pollution, worsen congestion, impede local traffic access and visually degrade the local area. In response to the final preferred activity report in December 2002, I sought a full release of financial arrangements, as I believed obsession with the corporate bottom line had resulted in a flawed scheme that was not in the public interest. The newly released documents confirmed what I foreshadowed in Parliament in 2002 that the final contract involved paying $100 million into Government coffers, replacing a previous arrangement where the Government contributed $40 million for a less environmentally damaging scheme. In 2003 I continued to urge changes to the scheme when it became clear the EIS predicted overall reductions to public transport use. The further documents released confirm that it could cost the RTA millions of dollars if public transport is enhanced around the tunnel. I have also consistently sought comprehensive Local Area Improvement Programs for areas potentially affected by tunnel traffic, and the City of Sydney has committed to additional monitoring to ensure the RTA meets its responsibility and to identify where additional benefit can be achieved. The lessons from other cities are that co-ordination of transport agencies is essential, and London and Perth are good examples. Co-operation between agencies on integrated ticketing, combined with demand management measures, can make a huge difference. E-tolling, if used constructively by Government, has potential to manage demand and subsidise investment in public transport. The Cross City tunnel experience provides the opportunity to take stock and rethink the current approach. Rather than looking at individual toll roads in isolation, with an ad-hoc approach to charges, we need to consider how to improve overall transport integration across the entire city. The revelations about the Cross City Tunnel contract arrangements also show why publication of major contracts is essential to ensure transparent and accountable decision making by Government. Release of contracts should be a routine process, not a teeth-pulling exercise. I have given notice in Parliament of an Open Government (Disclosure of Contracts) Bill to overturn the current culture of secrecy and require routine release of contracts, unless there are compelling public interest reasons approved by the Ombudsman. This Bill replaces the earlier one that I introduced in 2003 based on the New Zealand experience, which was rejected by the Government last year. The Bill had passed the Upper House, but was rejected by the Government after a drawn-out, 18 month Parliamentary committee review. The revised Bill incorporates positive comments from the Public Accounts Committee. It will apply only to larger government contracts and will make contracts available for a longer period than originally proposed. GOOD NEW/BAD NEWS FOR RESERVOIRIn a classic “good news/bad news” scenario, the Heritage Council last month refused permission for the Crown Street Reservoir site to be subdivided to permit sale, but will permit the subdivision application lodged by Sydney Water, subject to conditions. Crown Street Reservoir (bounded by Crown, Campbell, Riley and Reservoir Streets in Surry Hills) is a public heritage listed property built in 1858-59 and is Australia's oldest working reservoir. I have lobbied to keep the site in public ownership, to promote public use, and to maximise accessible open space. The Heritage Council’s conditions include Sydney Water retaining ownership of the entire site, with appropriate leasing arrangements for any subdivided parts. The Heritage Council considered that long-term leasing would be satisfactory to allow potential for future re-use of the site as a whole and to preserve the integrity of the. The whole site will be retained in the State Heritage Register. The Heritage Council’s approval was required on the basis of the site being on the State Heritage Register. The City had made a submission to the Heritage Council objecting to the proposal. Before Sydney Water can undertake any subdivision, an application must now also be approved by the City. The City is obliged to consider any application within the limits of environmental and planning legislation. I encourage Sydney Water to undertake further community consultation on proposals for the site before submission. The details of the Heritage Council’s decision should soon be added to its website at www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/04_subnav_02_2.htm, in the Minutes for the Approvals Committee meeting on 13 September Meeting. CITY SUPPORTS INAUGURAL HALLOWEEN FESTIVALI invite you to join in the inaugural “Wicked Weekend” on 28 to 30 October, designed to provide you with a fun shopping and entertainment experience while you rediscover Oxford Street. The Darlinghurst Business Partnership is organising the three day event in the lead up to Halloween, with the City of Sydney contributing $15,000 in cash and in-kind support. Businesses in and around Oxford Street will take part, trading later than usual on Saturday 29 October. Oxford Street and shops will reflect the Halloween theme and you are encouraged to join in by wearing Halloween inspired fancy dress. The Festival coincides with the annual Sydney Food and Wine Fair in Hyde Park on 29 October. The Food and Wine Fair, a fundraiser for the AIDS Trust of Australia, is also supported by the City of Sydney. Wicked Weekend organisers invite people attending the Food and Wine Fair to end their day with a short walk to Oxford Street to enjoy the Halloween festivities. I wish the Darlinghurst Business Partnership and the AIDS Trust of Australia every success with their events. THE END OF SECURE SOCIAL HOUSINGThe Government and Opposition combined this week to pass the Residential Tenancies Amendment (Social Housing) Bill 2005, despite serious concern about its impact on tenants in social housing, particularly the Department of Housing. While I share the Government's concern to ensure housing for those most in need, these changes will impact on significantly current public housing tenants, people on the waiting list for public housing, and those who will need public housing in the future. I raised concerns on behalf of social housing tenants with the former Premier in June, but received no response. The NSW Tenants’ Union and Shelter NSW also raised serious concerns about the Government’s Bill. I remain concerned about the loss of security of tenure for social housing tenants and the major shift from longstanding policy for accessible affordable housing, as well as increased rents. The changes will cause unnecessary distress and anxiety for the great majority of tenants who will continue to need social housing throughout their lives. Under this legislation, social housing providers will:
The Government's plan for reshaping public housing may raise extra funds in the short-term, but in the longer term there will be fewer tenants paying market rent. This will reduce the operating income for the Department of Housing. The department may again be forced to sell off housing just to fund the maintenance of current stock. There is a real reason to be concerned about the Government's continuing ability to provide affordable housing for the most disadvantaged in our community. Further information:
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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