Friday 21 April 2017

Short Term Rent Regulation, Potential Powerhouse Win-Win, Global Gag, Heart Week, Euston Road Rally and Strickland House

Short Term Rent Regulation

The government’s response to the ‘Inquiry into the Adequacy of the regulation of short-term holiday letting in NSW’ is positive, with an options paper on regulation to be released for public comment. I’ve called for wide community consultation. There is widespread concern that the inquiry recommendations needed refinement: short term letting platforms have a place but laws have to limit impacts on neighbours and the community and protect residents’ rights to the quiet enjoyment of their homes.

Strata communities should be empowered to make decisions for their buildings. Most people I’ve heard from don’t want an outright ban, but want to manage impacts and prevent their buildings turning into de facto hotels. Different rules may be needed for people who let out a room in their home while they are there, people who let their home out for a period while they are away and investors who let out properties permanently. Inquiry details HERE.

Potential  Powerhouse Win-Win

I welcome the announcement that the Ultimo Powerhouse could be retained along with a new museum in Parramatta. This could be a Powerhouse Museum win-win. The Powerhouse has 400,000 artefacts, 95 per cent of which are in storage. This huge collection could easily be shared across several sites – there is no need to close the Ultimo museum. The two big museums could leverage off each other, with more exhibitions, more on display and more special events.

Supporters of the Ultimo Powerhouse agree that Western Sydney needs its own internationally recognised museum that celebrates Western Sydney and its contribution to modern Australia. This should not come at the expense of a well-supported and established inner city institution that is an important destination for tourists, students, and locals.

With positive leadership last financial year, visitors to the Ultimo Powerhouse increased by 12 per cent and sponsorship increased by 51 per cent. A Parramatta museum adds profile and capacity to the existing sites at Ultimo, Castle Hill and Observatory Hill.

Attempts to turn the government’s consultation process into an inner-city vs western Sydney battle do not serve any of us well. Information HERE.

Global Gag

I support the campaign to keep funding family planning and health programs within the Australian overseas aid program. Complications arising from pregnancy, childbirth and unsafe abortions kill about 830 women and girls in developing countries each day. The last time the Global Gag rule was applied, abortion rates doubled where funds were cut.

Join the campaign HERE and donate to She Decides HERE. My letter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs is HERE. 

Heart Week

Heart Week 30 April to 6 May is focussed on testing and treating high blood pressure or hypertension, a major factor in heart disease. Identifying and taking action can prevent serious heart problems. Details HERE. 

Euston Road Rally

Euston Road will suffer major traffic impacts as a result of Westconnex. Rally with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Clr Jess Scully, Mehreen Faruqi MLC, WestConnex Action Group Rhea Liebmann and resident Paul Davies 12pm Saturday 22 April, corner Euston and Sydney Park Roads, Alexandria. Information HERE.

In Parliament, I’ve asked the roads minister about all the projects deferred to allow Westconnex, the new road projects needed to deal with Westconnex traffic and the cost of these projects, which were not included in the Westconnex case. My question is HERE.

Strickland House

The Woollahra History and Heritage Society will give tours and talks on the history of Strickland House at 52 Vaucluse Road on Sunday 30 April at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm as part of the Heritage Festival. Carrara, the house itself, is closed for renovations. Information: phone 9371 8373 or [email protected]. Heritage Festival details HERE.