Clover's eNews—Friday, 23 December 2005—No. 278SEASON'S GREETINGS & HOLIDAY HIATUSI wish you a happy Christmas and the very best for a happy and peaceful New Year. Thank you for your support this year and I look forward to working with you again in 2006. My Parliament House and Bligh Electorate offices will be closed until Tuesday 3 January 2005. My Bligh staff will be back refreshed to help you with any state issues after that. The Office of the Lord Mayor will be closed only on the weekends and public holidays, 25 to 27 December 2004 and 1 to 3 January 2005. If your matter is urgent during those periods, you can contact the City of Sydney on 9265 9333. The City of Sydney's holiday operating hours for Neighbourhood Service Centres, libraries, children's services, senior activity centres and recreation centres can be found on City’s website at www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au. eNews will take its usual two week holiday break, with the next issue on Friday 14 January, 2006. VICTORIA PARK POOL REOPENSThe Victoria Park Pool at Camperdown reopened this week following a $3 million upgrade. While the new toddler’s pool, repainting, increased grassed areas and shady new palms are the most noticeable changes, substantial work has also been done to replace aging equipment. The new state-of-the-art water filtration system will improve water quality and reduce annual water usage by up to 50 per cent a year. The new heat pumps will reduce energy consumption and operating costs. To celebrate the upgrade, the City will host a community open day on Friday 27 January 2006, with free entry to the pool, a sausage sizzle, street theatre and entertainment and activities for children. The Victoria Park Pool operates year round and is open Monday to Friday between 6.00 am and 7.15 pm and on weekends and public holidays from 7.00 am to 5.45 pm. The centre offers classes and activities, including a modern gymnasium, a creche, cafe and kiosk, swim shop, learn-to-swim classes, aquarobics and life saving courses. Information on activities at the centre:
RACIST MOB VIOLENCE MUST BE STOPPEDThe recent mob violence throughout Sydney was a disturbing assault on our tolerant, inclusive and welcoming way of life. The racism and dangerous behaviour we witnessed needed to be stopped before more serious and lasting damage is done. That is why I did not oppose the emergency recall of Parliament to pass special legislation to tackle the mob violence, although the rush meant no time to consult or seriously review the legislation. I was given a copy of the Bill on the morning as I entered the Chamber and was prevented from speaking in the Legislative Assembly. Critical to the new legislation, given the rushed process, is the two-year sunset clause, monitoring by the NSW Ombudsman, and the restriction of the new police powers to events of large-scale public disorder or to prevent such events. The Law Enforcement Legislation Amendment (Public Safety) Act 2005 provides for:
While the introduction of emergency police powers is part of the equation, it is essentially a reactive approach. The Government must also provide proactive leadership that promotes inclusive and tolerant values. We have an obligation to acknowledge the culture of hate that has developed and to combat racial stereotypes. Fear of violence and racism must not be allowed to undermine our welcoming and inclusive way of life. As Lord Mayor I welcome many people as new Australian citizens and I always speak with pride about the Australian community being tolerant, diverse and inclusive. Sydney is a dynamic, outward looking, international city which has been built thanks to generations of immigrants. As we approach Christmas, we must renew and express our hope for the future and goodwill towards others. Last year, the Australian community pulled together magnificently and opened our hearts to the Tsunami victims, as we do so well in times of natural disaster in this country. CYCLEWAY FOR KENT STREETCouncil has given in principle support for dedicated north/south cycle lanes along Kent Street from Druitt Street to the Harbour Bridge. The proposal, due for public exhibition in early 2006, could fill in a vital missing link for Sydney cyclists while improving traffic flow in the CBD. When complete, the cycleway will be a key north/south regional route and link with other regional cycling networks to Chatswood in the north, west via Pyrmont Bridge and east via the new William Street cycleway. The RTA will provide the section between Druitt and King Streets as part of its Cross City Tunnel responsibilities and the City will construct the extension to the Harbour Bridge. The proposal includes the possible re-introduction of two way traffic flow along Kent Street. This traffic change will contribute to better vehicle circulation and access around the city. A north/south CBD cycling route will help fulfil the City’s commitment to support increased cycling, as a healthier and more environmentally sustainable mode of transport, and will integrate with our city-wide cycling network currently being developed. HEART THEME FOR NEW YEAR’S EVEThe instantly recognisably heart symbol will be the focus and spirit of Sydney’s spectacular New Year’s Eve celebrations which will see in 2006. While the landmark fireworks and bridge effect showcase our City and Harbour to the world, New Year’s Eve is also a time for family and friends as we look to the year ahead. It is also a time for resolutions and, this year, the City is encouraging four resolutions: “Have a Heart: Give Generously to Oxfam Australia”; “Recycle Your Rubbish”; “Bin Your Butts”; and “Look After Your Mates”. Our NYE 2005 Creative Director, Wayne Harrison, has skilfully blended these elements into what promises to be a truly memorable day and night. This year, the celebrations will begin at 1pm, with events every hour on the hour. Each event will form part of the countdown to midnight, building up to the gradual unveiling of the bridge effect, a giant Heart designed by the internationally renowned designer, Brian Thomson; before culminating the spectacular fireworks at midnight. Earlier on New Year’s Eve, I will host the 10th annual Lord Mayor’s picnic in the Botanic Gardens. This year’s picnic (for 2,000 disadvantaged children and children with a disability, their families and carers) will be a special Mad Hatter's Tea Party, featuring Alice in Wonderland characters, roving magicians, jugglers and the Queen of Hearts frantically searching for her missing tarts. It will culminate with a lantern parade “through the looking glass”, taking participants to a special viewing point for the 9.00pm Family Fireworks and the Harbour of Light Parade. More than 40 charities, hospitals and other organisations across Sydney receive invitations to the picnic, who then distribute them. Volunteers from the Guides and Rovers give up their time to cook the sausages, serve the food, hand out show bags and assist in the activity tents. More information about New Year’s Eve, including vantage points, the countdown to midnight events, and tips for planning your night, is available from www.sydneynewyearseve.com.au. LIQUOR ACT WATERED DOWNFollowing lobbying by the alcohol industry, the Government has watered down its legislation developed in response to the serious issues raised at the NSW Summit on Alcohol Abuse in 2003. A draft Liquor Bill is available for community comment until 20 January 2006. According to the Government, the legislation is also based on the need to comply with the 2003 National Competition Policy, opening up the industry to new players and reducing costs. The approach to alcohol regulation seems more concerned with limiting impacts on industry interests than with protecting the community or enforcing responsible service requirements. The proposed relaxation contrasts with provisions to address alcohol related violence in the new Law Enforcement Legislation Amendment (Public Safety) Act 2005. The proposed new system involves an administrative approach, rather than the current system focussed on the Liquor Administration Board and Licensing Court, with appeals still be possible to a new Liquor and Gaming Court. While this proposal could help open up the process to community participation, the devil will be in the detail of the regulations that are yet to be developed. The Government is proposing standard hours of 5.00 am to midnight for retail and take away liquor outlets, unless varied by consent or after complaints. There is no justification provided for these hours and I am concerned about the impact on local communities. Existing licensing conditions would continue under the new system, with the new provisions applying to new licence applications or when licences are moved to other premises. The Social Impact Assessment (SIA) system brought in August 2004 will be used for all new and changed liquor licences. While the Government says that the SIA process will prevent neighbourhood harm, this will depend on the quality of the assessments and whether community concerns are taken into account. The existing noise/disturbance complaint system would continue under the new system, with complaints handled by the Department of Gaming and Racing. The new Bill specifically allows the decision maker to consider “order of occupancy” in dealing with these complaints, for example, where a liquor outlet is operating in a previously residential area, or vice versa. I encourage you to look at the proposal and make submissions to “Rewrite of the NSW Liquor Laws”, Department of Gaming and Racing, GPO Box 7060, SYDNEY NSW 2000, or email liquorbill@dgr.nsw.gov.au. For information, contact Peter Cox telephone 9995 0657. 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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