Tuesday 29 March 2016

Forced Biofuels, South Head at Risk, More Bus Changes, Stroke Support and Liquor Review Closes

FORCED BIOFUELS 

The environmental benefits of biofuels are modest and declining with vehicle efficiency improvements and ethanol production is linked to food price hikes, deforestation, soil erosion and polluted waterways. Yet the government is forcing more retailers to sell biofuels. NSW has one ethanol producer which has made massive political donations.

 In Parliament I argued that public transport and cycling investment are better ways to reduce fossil fuel reliance. My speech: www.alexgreenwich.com/biofuels_amendment_bill_2016

SOUTH HEAD AT RISK

The South Head National Park is an inner city haven of ocean cliffs, lookouts, secluded beaches and biodiversity. But a proposal to upgrade six heritage buildings into function centres, restaurants and visitor accommodation threaten this sensitive ecosystem through noise, traffic and pollution. In Parliament I spoke in support of the over 12,000 signed petition, arguing that national parks should be managed for nature and heritage and not commercialised.

My speech: www.alexgreenwich.com/sydney_harbour_national_park_development_proposals

MORE BUS CHANGES

Transport for NSW proposes further changes to bus stops and parking on the 389 bus route, with bus stops removed or amalgamated in Yurong and Stanley streets East Sydney and Hargrave and Brown streets Paddington, along with others in Old South Head Road.

You can view and comment on the proposals by 4 May: www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/key-build-program/bus-priority-program.html.

STROKE SUPPORT

Stroke affects one in six people, with 30 per cent of them under 65. Two thirds of stroke patients don’t get stroke unit care, nearly half leave hospital without a care plan and one third without prevention medication.

I’ve asked the Minister for Health about advocating for a national stroke strategy, funding the StrokeConnect program, promoting the Face, Arms, Speech, Time (FAST) campaign for community awareness of early stroke signs and a help line for survivors and carers. My question: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/la/qala.nsf/c1e52c2011c46013ca2574a20081ab75/e6e77e9fe8098091ca257f7e008132d8 and you can learn about the Stroke Foundation at https://strokefoundation.com.au/

LIQUOR REVIEW CLOSES

The Independent Liquor Review is taking submissions on 1.30am lockout, 3am cease alcohol sales, 10pm take-away liquor and periodic liquor licence fee laws until 4 April, so you still have time to time to give your views and suggestions: www.justice.nsw.gov.au/liquorlawreview.