Clover's eNews – Issue 420 – Friday, 24 October 2008
| Connecting Cities for Our Future | City Seeks Federal Funding for Transport Alternatives | New Initiative for Safe and Healthy Communities | State Cooperation on Cycling Projects | City Supports 7 Bridges Walk | Housing Affordability | Event Alert |
Connecting Cities for Our Future
Sydney isn't alone in grappling with global warming and the challenge it presents to re-invent our city in exciting and sustainable ways. This week, leaders from more than 50 world cities met in Sydney for the 9th World Congress of Metropolis to share knowledge, experience and solutions.
The Metropolis Association includes almost 100 of the world's largest cities, promoting cooperation on urban issues. Globally, more than half the world's people are city dwellers and 64 per cent of Australians live in our largely coastal urban centres. The decisions we make for our cities will determine the future of this planet.
The City of Sydney jointly sponsored the Metropolis Congress and I took an active role presenting keynote speeches at its sessions and associated events, including our CityTalk this week that focused on the Congress's theme of "Connecting Cities".
We are entering volatile times, facing major economic and environmental shifts, and our relationship with other global cities has never been more important. There is much we need to learn from each other as we face common challenges of global warming, housing affordability, renewing urban infrastructure and governance.
The fear of recession as a result of the current financial crisis makes it even more important that our Governments invest in nation-building city infrastructure. But priority must be given to infrastructure projects that make our cities more sustainable and better prepared for the transition to a new green economy.
The number one infrastructure issue for Sydney is public transport-an area where major world cities have already invested heavily in recent decades. Achieving a shift to public transport, cycling and walking is essential to reduce both congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
The Bureau of Transport Economics has estimated that if we do nothing, congestion alone will cost Sydney $8 billion per annum in 2020, up from $3.6 billion a year in 2005. The economic and environmental costs of inaction far outweigh the cost of financing these projects.
The current world financial crisis marks a turning point and it is disappointing to hear some of the public debate around the cost of climate change measures, as if we face an "either/or" situation. The reality is that we don't have a choice; we must urgently deal with climate change or there won't be an economy.
As New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said at the C40 Large Cities Climate Change Summit in New York last year, action to deal with climate change is "the only pro-growth strategy for the long-term". Just as the industrial revolution transformed the world in the 19th century, a new green revolution is set to transform the 21st century.
Sustainable Sydney 2030, which the City adopted in June, helps position us as a leading green city in the race to address climate change. It was exciting to hear city leaders at Metropolis share their experience with strategies we are starting to implement and to discover that ideas in our vision are providing them with new inspiration.
It is imperative that we begin planning at all levels for the restructuring required so that we don't have to belatedly react in a potentially catastrophic fashion. The foundations have shifted and the businesses and cities that prosper will be those firmly based in the new low carbon economy.
Information:
Read my speeches: www.clovermoore.com/main/?id=18
www.metropoliscongress2008.com
Related information: | City Economy | Environment | eNews |
City Seeks Federal Funding for Transport Alternatives
In order to progress our Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision, the City is seeking funding for three major transport projects from Infrastructure Australia, the new national body established by the Federal Government to develop a strategic blueprint for Australia's future infrastructure needs.
The projects will reinvent the CBD and revitalise its forgotten western edge; link the new southern centre of Green Square to key education and entertainment precincts; and develop a network of green corridors linking Inner Sydney villages and hubs.
The three projects, which contribute to our goal of a usable coordinated walking, cycling and public transport network, are:
City Light Rail Loop, to link the CBD to the major renewal site Barangaroo and industry clusters in the south and west of the city, with George Street becoming a pedestrian, cycle and light rail corridor to reduce the current levels of congestion on this historic street;
Green Square Light Rail Loop, to support the development of Australia's largest urban renewal project Green Square, by linking Green Square to the key transport interchanges of Redfern and Central as well as the Broadway education precinct and Surry Hills activity hub. The Loop will offer high quality, convenient mobility for residents and workers which could be progressively expanded to feed other cross-regional transport services.
Inner Sydney Cycle Network, which is safe enough for children to use; gives priority to separated cycle ways; and is a viable alternative to driving. Working with 15 inner city Councils and the NSW Department of the Environment and Climate Change, the City identified a network of 245 kilometres of additional bike lanes within existing road corridors, including 160km of separated cycleways and 70 km of upgrade shared paths.
Improved public transport, an inviting pedestrian environment and better provision for cyclists are significant steps in reducing our reliance on private motorised transport and moving towards for goal of a Sustainable Sydney in 2030.
Information
Infrastructure Australia: www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au
Related information: | Light Rail | Transport | eNews |
New Initiative for Safe and Healthy Communities
A new initiative with councils across Australia to deliver drug and alcohol harm minimisation programs was endorsed this week by Council's Community and Cultural Services Committee.
The "Cities for Safe and Healthy Communities Program" will bring together local government expertise and knowledge on drug and alcohol, helping achieve national strategies and supporting individual councils to in coordinated community-based responses.
Following adoption by Council, the City will become a founding member of the Program which has been established by the Council of Capital Cities Lord Mayors through its new National Local Government Drug and Alcohol Advisory Committee.
As a founding member, the City will be able to access information from other councils and provide them with support on drug and alcohol policy and program delivery. We are already a leader in this area through our community safety work and innovative planning controls for late night premises.
Information
Committee report: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Council/documents/meet...
National Alcohol Strategy: www.alcohol.gov.au/internet/alcohol/publishing.nsf/Content/nas-06-09
Related information: | Community Services | eNews |
State Cooperation on Cycling Projects
I recently wrote to the new Premier and Minister for Roads urging action to overcome delays in Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) approvals for a number of our key cycling projects. Over the next four years, I want to achieve a cycling network that is safe enough for children, giving priority to separated cycleways as a viable alternate to private cars.
The Minister indicated in Parliament this week that he will look into our concerns and agreed to work with the City to improve cycling facilities.
This is an important step, as one of the delayed approvals involves the road alignment for a north-south cycle route through the CBD. Considered by many cyclists and transport planners as the most important "missing link" in CBD cycling infrastructure, the north-south route would connect the Harbour Bridge to the east-west cycleway on King, Park and William Streets.
As a cyclist himself, the Premier has told me that he is keen to see cycling become a viable transport alternative for Sydneysiders. During development of our Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision, City research showed that 75 per cent of non-regular cyclists said that having dedicated bicycle lanes and off-road routes would make them cycle more regularly.
Information:
City of Sydney Cycle Strategy and Action Plan 2007: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/AboutSydney/ParkingAnd...
Parliamentary transcript: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/web/common.nsf/V3HH...
Related information: | eNews |
City Supports 7 Bridges Walk
The City is supporting the annual 7 Bridges Walk this Sunday through sponsorship of $10,000 in keeping with our keeping with our Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision of encourage walking as a mode of sustainable transport.
The 7 Bridges Walk is not a race, but a celebration of walking and our magnificent City and Harbour. The walk is a community fundraising event that shows off Sydney from a different angle, following a 25km loop course across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Pyrmont Bridge, Anzac Bridge, Iron Cover Bridge, Gladesville Bridge, Tarban Creek Bridge and Fig Tree Bridge.
You can support the four Walk charities-Heart Foundation, Cancer Council, Beyondblue and Diabetes Australia-by donating online or during the day, and by getting friends and family to sponsor your walk.
The course and facilities are open 8am to 5pm Sunday 26 October. All seven bridges need not be completed, and there are free buses to return people to their starting point if they do not finish the walk. People planning to walk all Seven Bridges should start the walk before noon.
Information
8am-5pm Sunday 26 October 2008. Register on line at www.7bridgeswalk.com.au
Related information: | Community Services | eNews |
Housing Affordability
Australia is facing a housing affordability crisis and I have called on the NSW Government in Parliament to provide planning measures, practical help and financial incentives help lower income people afford a home.
About 1.1 million households spend more than 30 per cent of their income on housing. Sydney's average home prices are reported to be the highest in the world and "key workers" such as teachers, police, fire fighters, ambulance officers, nurses and childcare workers cannot afford the median house price in most areas. NSW rents rose 10.7 per cent last year and renters report constant moving and rental auctions further increasing rents.
Tackling affordability needs a comprehensive whole-of-government effort by all levels of government, and I particularly welcome recent Commonwealth Government commitment following neglect during the Howard years.
The NSW Government has promised funds to house older people and to community providers to develop new housing. While it has given Housing NSW properties to community housing, this does not increase stock. The NSW Government must match Commonwealth commitments and take a leading role in COAG for a National Affordable Housing Agreement. It could provide practical support for shared equity schemes, co-housing projects, cooperatives and provide homes for low-income earners.
Although this is primarily a state and federal responsibility, many local councils are also taking action. The City hopes to increase our current one per cent of affordable rental housing up to 7.5 per cent by 2030 and is looking at successful models nationally and internationally. We are working with the State Government on a feasibility study for a new approach that could provide 700 homes for public housing, key workers and private renters in Glebe on State and City-owned land.
My speech in Parliament is available at:
www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.ns...
Related information: | eNews |
Event Alert
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: The Legislative Assembly sits again 28 October 2008. For sitting days, see www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/web/common.nsf/key/HHBSitDay2008
CITY OF SYDNEY: Committees and Council meet Monday evenings and the Central Sydney Planning Committee meets Thursdays, generally every three weeks, in the Council Chamber, Sydney Town Hall. The next Council meeting is 5.00pm Monday 3 November.
SEVEN BRIDGES WALK: 8am-5pm Sunday 26 October 2008. The Walk is a community experience which celebrates walking. To find out more information or to register for this free community event visit, www.7bridgeswalk.com.au.
ART & ABOUT: 4-26 October. Experience the fabulous array of art, music and performance to our streets and public spaces, with activities extending for the first time throughout Oxford Street. Information: www.artandabout.com.au.
DANKS STREET FESTIVAL: 11am to 4pm Sunday 26 October 2008 at Danks and Young Streets, Waterloo. Information: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/WhatsOn/html/custom/22....
RECLAIM THE NIGHT: Friday 31 October 6.00pm at Town Hall Square. March against violence against women. Speakers include Millie Ingram, Wirringa Baiya and the NSW Rape Crisis Centre Information: www.reclaimthenight-sydney.com or 9660 5222.
SYDNEY FOOD & WINE FAIR 2008: 12pm to 5pm Saturday 1 November at Hyde Park North. One of Australia's oldest and most successful food and wine fairs will showcase Sydney's dining experience, with live performances, DJs and special guests. Proceeds go to support of those living with HIV/AIDS. Information: www.aidstrust.com.au/foodandwinefair.html
CRUELTY FREE FESTIVAL: Sunday 2 November 10am to 5pm at Belmore Park, Haymarket. Over 60 stalls of food, wine and cruelty-free products, cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, presentations on ethical investment and vegan nutrition, bands and performances. Information: http://crueltyfreefestival.org.au.
NEWTOWN FESTIVAL: 9.30am to 6pm Sunday 9 November. Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Newtown. Celebrating its 30th Birthday, the Newtown Festival is an annual community event and fundraiser for the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre. Information: www.newtowncentre.org/festival.
ANKALI TRAINING: 8 & 9 and 16 & 17 November. The Ankali Project trains volunteers to provide emotional and social support to people living with HIV/AIDS. They seek warm, friendly, understanding & accepting people who can spare up to six hours a week, and can commit for six months. Information: phone 9332 9742 or email ankali@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au
WALK FOR AIDS: 11am to 2pm Sunday 23 November at the Royal Botanic Gardens jointly organised by the three leading HIV organisations in NSW: ACON (AIDS Council of NSW), Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF) and Positive Life NSW. Information: phone 1800 651 011 or web: www.bgf.org.au.
LUNCHTIME CONVERSATIONS: Free short lunchtime discussion sessions each Wednesday at the Sydney Mechanics School of Arts at 12.30-1.30pm. Information: phone 9262 7300 or web: www.sydneymsa.com.au.
GLOBAL AFFAIRS DIALOGUES: First Monday evening of each month at the Sydney Mechanics School of Arts at 7pm. Topics include climate change, war and social strife. Information: phone 0431 605 374 or email dialogue_quest@hotmail.com
WATERSHED SUSTAINABILITY WORKSHOPS: Worm Farming, Composting, Natural Cleaning, and Eco Choices Workshops are held at the Watershed Sustainability Resource Centre, 218 King Street, Newtown, or at Rosebery Community Centre, 78 Harcourt Parade Rosebery. Information: phone 9519 6366, email watershed@marrickville.nsw.gov.au or web www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Environment/TheWatersh...
BIKESYDNEY TWILIGHT RIDES: Every second Tuesday of the month from the GPO steps Martin Place, between George and Pitt Streets, meet 5.45pm for a 6pm departure. Two hour rides from 10 to 20km. Contact BikeSydney for details: email cityride@bikesydney.org or web http://bikesydney.org/new
POLICING PRECINCT MEETINGS: All Police Commands hold Community Safety Precinct Committee meetings to identify and act on local crime and safety concerns. Clover is represented at Commands that covers the Sydney electorate and Council officers work with Police in all Commands that cover the City of Sydney. Information, contact Roy Bishop, phone 9360 3053 or email sydney@parliament.nsw.gov.au
TOUR PARLIAMENT HOUSE: First Thursday of each month 1-2pm. Visit the NSW Legislative Assembly and Council chambers, historic parts of this public building, and learn about the role of parliament within our system of government. No bookings necessary. Meet in the forecourt of Parliament House from 12.45pm for a 1pm start. Information: Education Section, phone 9230 2047.
COMMUNITY CENTRES & LIBRARIES: City of Sydney community centres and libraries present a range of events and activities for people of all ages and backgrounds. Information is published on the City's website www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au under the Community menu.
EVENTS IN THE CITY: For more events in the City of Sydney area, visit www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/WhatsOn. You can subscribe to email alerts to let you know about events, Development Applications and announcements from the City of Sydney.