Tuesday 2 May

Alex's Update Issue 215: Minister for Roads, High School Design, Plastics Pollution, Martin Place Proposal, Quieter Barangaroo, Head On To Paddington, Art of Music and Family Equality Day

MINISTER FOR ROADS

I’ve asked to meet with the Minister for Roads, Freight and Maritime to personally follow up concerns about the Elizabeth Bay Marina proposal and action to reduce traffic impacts in Oxford Street. The marina proposal is too large with unacceptable impacts, and Oxford Street traffic calming could help make the street more attractive for visitors and high street shoppers.

HIGH SCHOOL DESIGN

The Minister for Education has announced Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT) will design the new inner city high school, with a proposal on exhibition in May and the school to open in 2020. The community has run a strong and effective campaign to secure this much needed education facility and the next stage is to work to get the design right. Details HERE.     

PLASTICS POLLUTION 

In Parliament I asked the environment minister to reduce plastic pollution from plastic bags, packaging, microbeads and microfibres. The minister said that the government has asked the CSIRO to research biodegradable plastic bags to inform future legislation. Light weight plastic bags are being banned across the world and I don’t believe further research is needed to take this step. Similarly mibrobeads are being banned across the world yet Australia only has a voluntary phase-out by 2020 before a ban will be considered. My question is HERE. 

The Total Environment Centre waste campaign has useful resources and strategies for reducing your plastics waste: www.tec.org.au/waste_not. There is increasing reform impetus, with The Project taking up the campaign with an online petition HERE.

MARTIN PLACE PROPOSAL

Macquarie Bank has submitted an ‘Unsolicited Proposal’ to the NSW Government for major redevelopment of buildings linked to the planned Martin Place Metro Station. There are information sessions on Tuesday 9 May 11am-2pm and 4-7pm and Wednesday 10 May 4-7pm at Space, Ground Floor 9-19 Elizabeth Street. Two proposals will be submitted to the Department of Planning. Details: www.metromartinplace.com.

QUIETER BARANGAROO

Following my representations about night work at Barangaroo, I’m pleased that Lendlease has told adjacent residents that 24-hour work will not occur, and that it will instead refine construction procedures.

HEAD ON TO PADDINGTON

The Head On Photo Festival and Awards come to Paddington this year, with exhibitions and events from 5-28 May. I’m excited to be part of the launch at COFA and see the impressive photographic work this year. Details: www.headon.com.au.  

ART OF MUSIC

Art of Music Live at The Sydney Opera House on 4 May is a unique concert curated by Jenny Morris to raise funds for Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy, with Neil Finn, Jon Stevens, Megan Washington, Imogen Clark and Jack Carty. The project uses music to heal, helping people with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, mental health needs, those living with Dementia, Stroke recovery and Down Syndrome. Details: www.artofmusic.com.au.

FAMILY EQUALITY DAY

I’m pleased to join Rainbow Families NSW at their International Family Equality Day Sunday 7 May at the Brick Kilns Sydney Park 11am-2:30pm. The group has prepared a report on LGBTIQ-parented families’ experiences for the NSW Parliamentary LGBTIQ Friendship Group. RSVP: [email protected]; 0426 626 166.