Wednesday 3 August 2016

Moore Park Plan, Sirius Heritage, NAS Threat, Council Elections, Homelessness Week and Loud Fence 

Moore Park Plan

The much awaited Moore Park Master Plan is on exhibition and I encourage you to make a submission before 25 September. The draft plan would achieve some important benefits including dispersing event car parking away from grasslands, and improving pedestrian and cycling links to Fox Studios and the Entertainment Quarter. I am concerned that passive recreation remains second to organised use of the space.

The plan must protect Moore Park into the future – it provides vital green open space to adjacent growing communities who have little or no private outdoor space, yet it’s continually been subject to encroachment. I will assess the documents closely and make a submission.

Master Plan information: www.moorepark.sydney and link up with the community campaign: www.savingmoorepark.com/

Sirius Heritage

Despite a unanimous recommendation from the NSW Heritage Council and calls from the National Trust NSW and Australian Institute of Architects NSW, the NSW Government will not list the Sirius building on the State Heritage Register. The Sirius building was purpose built for social housing in 1975 and is a rare and representative example of Brutalist architecture. My action HERE.

I am concerned about tenants being turned out of their homes and about a heritage system that allows the minister to override expert advice in order to sell off assets for a higher price.

The community’s Save Our Sirius campaign continues, information HERE. 

NAS Threat

While the amalgamation of the Sydney College of the Arts and University of NSW Art and Design school will not go ahead at this stage, I understand talks are continuing on absorbing the National Art School into the university system. The National Art School provides a unique education that cannot be lost, teaching under the atelier style and accepting students based on portfolio and interview. The school should be modelled on NIDA and AFTRS, with independence, national recognition and federal funding.

In Parliament I called on the state government to ensure the school's independence, occupation of the old Darlinghurst Gaol site and funding until there is federal funding. My speech is HERE.  

Join the campaign at http://gotothisurlrightnow.com and sign the petition HERE. 

Council Elections

The City of Sydney local government election is on 10 September. If you cannot vote on the day, you may be able to vote early at Sydney Town Hall from 31 August or apply for a postal vote HERE or telephone 1300 136 736.

There is no election this year for Woollahra Council, which remains opposed to the government’s forced amalgamation with Waverley and Randwick councils. Woollahra Council is appealing the Land and Environment Court dismissal of their case against the government’s plan and process. More information HERE. 

Homelessness Week

‘Homelessness Counts’ is the theme for this year’s Homelessness Week 1-7 August. Information HERE. The 2011 Census counted 105,237 people homeless across Australia. We identified 486 people sleeping rough and another 404 in crisis hostels during the February 2016 City of Sydney Street Count, which is being repeated again this week.

Download and sign my petition for expanded homelessness services HERE, and you can donate skills, time, goods or money HERE. 

Loud Fence

This week I hosted the ‘Loud Fence’ at NSW Parliament in support of those who suffered abuse in institutional care as children. Loud Fence allows supporters to tie brightly coloured ribbons to the fence to send a visually ‘loud’, peaceful message to victims and survivors. Information HERE.