(Private Member's Statement, 12 September 2017, Legislative Assembly NSW Parliament) 

The Bays Precinct will undergo massive transformation to bring thousands of new residents, workers and visitors to the region. Tonight I call for a consultative, transparent and coordinated planning process to ensure the redevelopment is environmentally and socially sustainable.

Monday 4 September 2017

A full scale redevelopment of Allianz Stadium could see the SCG creep beyond its boundary and use the parklands as a construction site. There is a long history of successive governments giving the SCG what it wants at the expense of community open space needs and both the government and opposition opposed my bill in Parliament to remove exemptions that allow the SCG to build without a development application. A refurb of the stadium would address concerns raised about ageing and out-of-date facilities.   

Monday 4 September 2017

Just two weeks after consultation ended, the government has released the EIS on the Westconnex M4-M5 link, an eight lane, 7.5km tunnel that will bring more cars onto inner city roads, increase greenhouse emissions and increase air pollution. The government admits these plans are only ‘indicative’ with major changes likely during detailed design, so public feedback cannot be specific. Local communities will get years of construction noise, dust and traffic. The $1.8 billion cost is on top of the already mammoth Westconnex budget, which does not include flow-on changes to local roads such as those that will shave off more parts of Moore Park!

Billions of dollars allocated to motorways should be used for public transport instead. Westconnex will change Sydney in all the wrong ways and entrench car dependence for people in outer suburbs. Comment due 16 October, HERE.

Monday 21 August 2017

Sydney Water will soon start work on its ‘Refresh Woolloomooloo’ project to separate stormwater and sewerage drains in Darlinghurst and Woolloomooloo and prevent flooding and sewage overflows in Woolloomooloo. The project will cause disruption in local roads including Sir John Young Crescent, Francis Lane, Darlinghurst Road, Womerah Avenue and Brougham Lane plus Crown, Riley, Liverpool, Burton, Forbes streets.

Tuesday 15 August 2017 

Infrastructure NSW has confirmed that the long term plan for Glebe Island will include existing port and bulk concrete operations within the proposed White Bay Power Station innovation district. The Port Authority will make a commercial deal for an integrated port facility on Glebe Island. White Bay will continue to host cruise vessels, maritime contractors and vessel repair and events like fireworks. UrbanGrowth NSW plans a draft strategic framework and transport update for The Bays Precinct in late 2017. Information HERE.

(Opposition to Bill, Wednesday 9 August 2017, Legislative Assembly, NSW Parliament)

I oppose the Environmental Planning and Assessment and Electoral Legislation Amendment (Planning Panels and Enforcement) Bill 2017 because it is an assault on local democracy and prevents communities being represented in approvals for development in their neighbourhood. This bill will radically change the way development decisions are made. I am appalled that it is being rushed through the House, preventing members from conducting meaningful consultation with their local councils and communities. This Government has a disturbing practice of ramming important and controversial bills through Parliament, thereby showing an abysmal lack of respect for basic democratic principles. What is the rush when the bill will not take effect until March next year?

Tuesday 8 August 2017

The Powerhouse has successfully operated from Ultimo since 1893 and in its current adapted reuse building since 1988. Ultimo is the city’s creative and innovation hub, a leader in digital start-ups and close to cultural institutions, Darling Harbour and higher education, which all link with the museum’s core science, technology and design purpose. Much of the extensive collection is not on display and the Powerhouse could have been extended into Western Sydney while retaining the Ultimo museum, and exhibitions and displays could complement each other.

Tuesday 8 August 2017

I’m very concerned about the fish market redevelopment to be funded by massive apartment development on the current site. The facility is supposed to link with Wentworth Park across four lanes of busy Bridge Road and through the fig trees. A master plan process is now underway and I urge concerned residents to have your say via online survey and workshops on 10 & 12 August: www.thebayssydney.nsw.gov.au.  

I strongly oppose overdevelopment and will call for better transport connections, community and recreation facilities and protection of open space and public access.

Monday 31 July 2017

After the government promised to transform harbour land on Bank Street into a park with heritage boat workshop and museum, the site is now earmarked for charter boat mooring with supplies and rubbish storage. There would be stacked shipping containers up to the harbour, a demountable building, large bins, gas bottles and a sewage pump out facility, making this prime waterfront site an eyesore. Ships will come and go frequently until 1am every day and it is unclear how passive boating activities will be affected.

The marina facility would replace the Sydney Heritage Fleet plan. The proposal is for 10 years while a new fish market is built at the head of Blackwattle Bay but there is no guarantee that it would not be continued past that time.

This proposal betrays past work by numerous community and stakeholder studies supporting public recreation and access, and my submission asked the government to reject the proposal, HERE.

Monday 31 July 2017

Capital grants for non-profit community groups close 5pm 9 August, so any group applying must complete the online application process before then. The funds can pay to upgrade buildings or buy capital equipment worth at least $2,500. Details: www.communitybuildingpartnership.nsw.gov.au