Clover's eNews—Friday, 9 December 2005—No. 276FINDING LIGHT AT THE TUNNEL’S ENDI provided evidence this week to the Cross City Tunnel Parliamentary Inquiry, recommending action to deal with the current crisis, but focusing on broader strategies to avoid any repeat of the current debacle over a flawed public-private deal. I hope the inquiry will help achieve real benefit from a tunnel intended to create a new east-west route to reduce traffic congestion; to improve public transport, cycling and pedestrian activity; and to create an attractive William Street boulevard linking the City and Kings Cross. It is tragic that this inquiry comes after completion of the tunnel, when there is less scope for change. I called for an inquiry in 2002 when it became clear the project was off track and would result in a more environmentally damaging scheme. Due to the 2002 tender acceptance of an amended project, the Government received $100 million dollars from the Cross City Tunnel consortium, replacing the previously approved project that required a $40 million Government contribution to a more beneficial outcome. This is a factor in the high toll costs, yet when I raised this in Parliament in 2002 it was ignored by the Government, the Opposition and the Media. I have recommended that the State Government pursue a review of the pricing structure to make the Cross City Tunnel more accessible and enable it to achieve some of the promised benefits. Clearly, the best way to encourage motorists into the tunnel is to reduce the tolls. There are precedents for Governments to negotiate “shadow toll” arrangements which could partially subsidise some toll prices or to introduce a cash-back scheme like that introduced in 1997 when it was not considered feasible to completely scrap the toll on the M4/M5. I also proposed an independent review of road changes to identify those that just channel traffic into the tunnel and those that achieve public benefit. There is a particular need to reinstate northbound access to Sydney Harbour Bridge/Harbour Tunnel via Sir John Young Crescent. However, I primarily sought to focus the Parliamentary Committee on major structural changes needed for the future. I advocated improved public disclosure and effective community consultation, to ensure that major decisions made by government reflect the needs and interests of the community. Public accountability is essential to ensure good government, and I urged support for my Freedom of Information (Open Government- Disclosure of Contracts) Bill to require disclosure of all major Government contracts with the private sector. The Cross City Tunnel also illustrates that there’s no benefit in the commercial cherry-picking of particular transport routes to maximise financial returns if it exacerbates existing problems. Sydney’s future transport needs should be the responsibility of one authority charged with co-ordinating all transport, including roads, as part of a planned and integrated network. Any private sector involvement needs to fit into the overall planned network. Government agencies working independently, sometimes at cross purposes and with competing priorities are an anathema in terms of coordinated traffic and transport management, and are more likely to make our existing transport problems even worse. CITY MOVES ON INFORMATION ACCESSA “Statement of Principles” for access to information will be considered by Council on Monday and adopted, I hope, to ensure the City goes beyond just complying with State Freedom of Information laws. The underlying principIe is that information will be available except where disclosing it is against the public interest or restricted by legislation. While some documents are exempt from disclosure by state legislation, the new principles will make these available if it is in the public interest. These principles honour my commitment to greater openness, accountability and transparency in government. They also build on actions the City has already taken to increase access to information, including:
Council is also planning further steps to improve information access. These include:
Future tenders will also be invited on the basis that contracts are routinely made available. All requests for tender and related documents will also be available from the city’s website. While existing contracts with third parties may be restricted from disclosure because of confidentiality principles, council will actively seek agreement for the release of the contract from the third party. ANOTHER MAJOR STEP FOR THE CUB SITEThe CUB site is a landmark site and its development will revitalise run down industrial land and have a major impact on the southern part of the city. Draft planning controls and draft voluntary planning agreement are being considered for public exhibition, including an extended consultation period and a public meeting to inform the community. A responsible and balanced approach to planning controls for the Carlton and United Brewery (CUB) site was approved for exhibition by the Central Sydney Planning Committee (CSPC) on Thursday in response to concerns from residents, the State Government and the owner. A large public park, strong heritage protection, new community facilities, sustainability improvements and urban revitalisation are the central aims of the draft development controls for the CUB site on Sydney’s Broadway at Chippendale. The CSPC resolved to set the density for buildings on the CUB site in Chippendale at a range of 3.5 to 4.0:1, in line with Council Officer’s recommendations. The CSPC also responded to requests for certainty in relation to height and density by recommending controls that will limit overshadowing the park and public square. They supported a maximum of two towers over 70 metres, with a total height limit of 100 metres, lower than the neighbouring UTS tower on Broadway. The CSPC recommended current City parking rates apply, noting that a review is underway in terms of accessibility to public transport. The current rates are inconsistent across the three former local government areas and must be overhauled to reflect Council’s position on public transport. There are tremendous competing pressures on the CUB site that must be carefully balanced to get the best long-term outcome for both Chippendale and the City. The Redfern Waterloo Authority is grabbing $25 to $30 million in contributions from this site and moving them outside Chippendale. The owners will seek to recoup those costs, putting upward pressure on the site. In addition to the public benefit of a new 5,000 square metre park, the draft controls and planning agreement provide for:
The draft controls also provide for important heritage buildings to be protected, with a new “Brewery Square” created to showcase the historical character of the old Kent Brewery. These are complex controls for a complex site, and I urge the you to look at all the issues, including public benefits and environmental initiatives being proposed. I encourage you to provide Council and the CSPC with your comments when the controls are endorsed for public exhibition. For more information: NORTHCOTT WORK CONTINUESWhen I met with the Minister for Housing last week, she agreed to extend the Department of Housing’s Community Development worker position at Northcott in Surry Hills until February 2006. Sandy Henderson and Charmaine Jones from the Surry Hills Public Tenants Association told the Minister about the importance and success of the project, and we again asked that the Community Development Worker be made position permanent. I welcome the Minister’s commitment to support tenant-led community development activities – Northcott is a model of this type of change for other troubled communities. I am pleased that the Minister will consider further extending the Community Development Worker position after an evaluation of the community development work at Northcott. I have asked the Minister to ensure that this evaluation is independent and includes tenants’ experiences as well as the other partners to the community development work at Northcott. I requested that the evaluation be completed as soon as possible, to allow the Northcott community to plan for its future. CHAUVEL CINEMA TO REMAIN FILM CENTREThe Chauvel Cinema complex at Paddington will remain an important film centre for Sydney under an agreement reached with the Palace Cinema group. The theatre has been dark since the Australian Film Institute decided not to continue its lease earlier this year. I am pleased that the Palace Group is able to meet all the benchmarks which the City set in the process to find a new lessee. Palace has given a commitment to screening new Australian films and quality art house films and providing for Cinematheque programming. The Chauvel will continue to play a major role in many existing film festivals, but Palace also intends to establish a festival program that is completely unique to the Chauvel. Local film makers will also have opportunities to screen their work. Antonio Zeccola, the Palace Cinema Group’s owner and Managing director has said the Group wants to return something to the film industry. He has a vision of the Chauvel as a creative hotbed where artists can gather to discuss and nurture their ideas while having access to facilities, such as fully fitted workspaces, they require to bring those ideas to fruition. Palace will revitalise the Cinema’s existing bar and foyer area and create a relaxing lounge environment in keeping with the heritage nature of the site. The specialised film equipment not available at many other cinemas will be retained. The Cinema complex will also be used for an array of film development seminars, discussions, rehearsal space and conferences. CLIMATE POWER CHANGEThe Nature Conservation Council of NSW (NCC) has started a new community campaign, alerting people to the dangers created by climate change. The “Power to Change” or P2C campaign will use teams of volunteers who will spread out across suburbs to explain to people the causes, effects and risks of climate change. They are starting with the Eastern Suburbs and have a brochure describing the challenge that global warming presents. If you would like to volunteer and get involved, contact the NCC telephone 9279 2466 or web www.nccnsw.org.au FOSTER AN ABANDONED DOGDoggie Rescue runs a dog fostering program in order to get them off “death row” in dog pounds. Volunteers look after these dogs until a permanent home is organised. The pounds are overflowing at this time of year because more dogs are dumped just before Christmas as people either try to avoid the cost of a boarding kennel while they are away on holidays or because they're planning to get a pup for Christmas. There is a similar peak in abandoned dogs after Christmas when new owners realise their responsibilities. It costs $100 (bond) to register as a foster carer. You can choose the type of dog you want and many small dogs would suit units or small yards. All dogs are de-sexed, vaccinated, wormed, flea-treated and micro-chipped. Doggie Rescue also provides worm tablets and a flea treatment, clips the dogs, and pays for any veterinary treatment. Contact Doggie Rescue on telephone 9719 2022 or visit www.doggierescue.com (see details in "Foster a Dog" in the menu on the left side of the homepage). I also urge you to act swiftly if you become aware of a dog left unattended inside a locked car. The RSPCA warns that a dog locked inside a car in hot weather can be dead in only six minutes. If they live, they can suffer heat exhaustion or brain damage. Animals should never be left alone inside a vehicle, even in the shade with the windows down. Please contact the Police or RSPCA Emergency hotline on telephone 9707 2828 if you see a distressed animal left in a vehicle in the heat. Rescuers will need a description of vehicle, its registration number, and the exact address. A maximum penalty of $22,000 or two years in prison applies if an animal dies as a result of being left unattended inside a vehicle. 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 |
Back
Home