Clover's eNews—Friday, 11 November 2005—No. 272FOCUS ON SUSTAINABLE CITIESAround 1000 people packed the Sydney Town Hall this week for the City Talk on Sustainable Cities that I hosted with Robert Whitehead of the Sydney Morning Herald, including speakers Professor Peter Newman, NSW Sustainability Commissioner, and Malcolm Turnbull MP, member of the committee that produced the Federal Parliament’s “Sustainable Cities” report. The Report is a welcome sign of Commonwealth interest in our cities—where the majority of Australians live. However, the Federal Government is still to adopt this report, and it is concerning that the Sydney Morning Herald recently reported that the findings of 46 Senate inquiries have been ignored during the past nine years. We need to make sure this one is implemented. The Sustainable Cities Report is pragmatic, bringing together a compelling case for modest, achievable and coordinated change. While many may argue that it does not go far enough, the fact that it is so sensible and pragmatic means that Governments can't refute the logic and have no excuse to take action on the recommendations. At the recent meeting of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors, we agreed to put sustainable cities at the top of our agenda—particularly transport infrastructure. We are setting up a secretariat in Canberra to promote the needs of our cities to the Federal Government. In Parliament this week I also asked the Premier about progress on the Metropolitan Strategy, the blueprint for Sydney’s sustainability over the next 30 years, particularly in relation to transport. The Premier replied that the strategy will be released before the end of the year, but provided no information on the essential commitment to new transport infrastructure. The transport recommendations in the Sustainable Cities Report reinforce the critical role of an accessible and sustainable transport system to address Sydney's economic, social and environmental issues. The Cross City Tunnel controversy has renewed public debate on transport, giving an opportunity to consider new approaches. The tunnel's aim of reducing the number of cars in the Central Business District is desirable, but must be complemented with a new light rail mass transit system. The controversy has also highlighted the importance of co-ordination and public accountability. Transport planning should be the responsibility of one authority charged with co-ordinating all transport—including roads—as part of a planned and well-integrated transport network. Any proposal for private sector involvement needs to fit into this network. There's no benefit in the commercial routes being cherry-picking to maximise financial returns if it promotes dysfunctional outcomes, exacerbates existing transport problems, and does not benefit the entire system. Further information:
OPENED OVAL SUPPORTS RABBITOHS IN REDFERNA report on City’s upgrade of Redfern Park will be considered by the City’s Environment and Heritage Committee next Monday, following additional consultation undertaken at the request of Council when it considered the project earlier this year. The City's $19 million upgrade of Redfern Oval is part of our commitment of more than $50 million to services and facilities in South Sydney over four years, including an $11 million revamp of Prince Alfred Park and pool, $20 million upgrade of the Redfern and Regent Street shopping precinct, a $500,000 upgrade of the skate park in Waterloo Park, $1 million on local parks and reserves; and the expansion of child care places at Alexandria and Redfern Centres. A central objective of the Redfern Oval refurbishment is to provide active sporting, athletic and recreational opportunities for a broader range of community, school and sporting groups, as well as much-needed, increased green open space for use by the general community. The plan recommended by the City’s senior management proposes professional-level facilities, including change rooms, a weights room, meeting room and storage, to enable the Rabbitohs to train at their home in Redfern. Under the proposal, the City would provide a high-level of maintenance to ensure quality control of the training field. In a welcome move, the board of the Sydney Cricket Ground and Sports Ground Trust has voted unanimously to support the Rabbitohs returning to play in our local area at Aussie Stadium. The Trust has also offered to donate technical advice for building of a training field at Redfern Oval. Peter Holmes a Court, in consultation with Russell Crowe, has proposed a strategy to unite Souths Juniors, seniors and the football club. The strategy includes a financial package to deal with the leagues club's $7.5 million debt and recognition that Redfern Oval is not viable for NRL matches. I also welcome the genuine interest expressed by many local schools and community groups in the PCYC's plans to increase recreational opportunities in Redfern. This is the city's primary aim for the Redfern Park upgrade. However, the challenge is to increase Redfern's recreational facilities and green space, not to concrete over Redfern Park. Redfern and Waterloo have low levels of open space and a rapidly increasing population, predicted to rise from 15,000 to 40,000 by 2015. I welcome the decision of the Federally funded Indigenous Land Council (ILC) to commit $25 million to retain the Redfern School site in public ownership and create a centre for indigenous sport and culture by refurbishing the school and adjacent oval. The ILC has told me that it considers the PCYC would be a natural fit with its plans, should the Department of Housing not provide the assurance of a long-term lease—and doubt does remain over the future of the PCYC. The General Manager of Central Sydney Housing Services wrote in May stating that “the original project proposal included the retention of the PCYC on its current site… However we are now considering…if a new club facility could be provided in a location to better fit with the overall design for the site. This may or may not be the existing location.” The report to the Environment and Heritage Committee is available at: NORTHCOTT’S STICKYBRICKS IN FESTIVALAt the launch of the exciting program for the 2006 Sydney Festival, I was delighted to announce the inclusion of two events from the Northcott Department of Housing Estate in Surry Hills. “Stickybricks” is an evening of food, theatre, dance, and song performed in the grounds at Northcott. It is the result of a dynamic collaboration between tenants, arts organisation Big hART, and artists like Leah Purcell, Kerry Armstrong and Glynn Nicholas. “Tenant by Tenant” is a an exhibition at the Museum of Sydney of more than 50 portraits that tenants have taken of each other, under the guidance of professional photographer Keith Saunders. Since 2002, tenants have worked in partnership with Dominic Grenot (Department of Housing Community Development Worker), Surry Hills Police, and Big hART to improve individual lives, develop community pride, and create excellent art. Big hART has received funding from the Premier’s Department, Ministry for the Arts, federal Attorney General’s Department, and the Australia Council. I remain concerned that the former Minister for Housing decided not to continue to fund this position and the Specialist Client Service Officer at Northcott, even though there is much more work to be done. I have asked the new Minister for Housing to meet with me to discuss the future of this valuable project. The City of Sydney is Principal Supporter of the Sydney Festival. Further information about Sydney Festival events, and the rest of the program can be found at www.sydneyfestival.org.au. FESTIVAL SHOWCASES SPANISH QUARTERThe Spanish Quarter Festival, modelled and inspired by the Spring Seville Festivals of Southern Spain, will again bring the southern area of our CBD to life, this Sunday, 13 November 2005. This free community festival showcases the very best of Spanish cuisine and entertainment in the heartland of Sydney's Spanish and Latino community, Liverpool and Kent Streets. Last year 30,000 people took part in the Festival – an increase of 10,000 on the first Festival in 2003. Given this increasing popularity, the Festival is extending along Kent Street to Bathurst Street. This year there will two performance stages, the main stage in Liverpool Street and a second Stage at the end of Kent Street near Bathurst Street. Approximately 300 artists will perform, including Sydney's top Spanish and Latin American artists, plus children and individuals from cultural and community groups gathering from across Sydney. Cr Robyn Kemmis will represent me at the launch of the Festival at 12.00 midday, with festivities continuing until 8.00pm. I invite you to join the City for the celebration. 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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