Wednesday 13 September 2017

Dangerous Cladding, PCYC Hits 80, IWORCS, Bike Share, RU OK & Say Yes

Dangerous Cladding

The terrible tragedy in Grenfell revealed serious fire safety problems for some high rise buildings and the ABC 4Corners program on highly combustible polyethylene cladding shows dodgy practices and failed regulation in Australia over perhaps 30 years, story HERE.

While it is too late for some, the Senate Economics References Committee interim report recommends a national ban on importation and sale of flammable cladding, a national licensing scheme for building trades, increased enforcement and accountability in the industry and a consumer protection scheme, information HERE. 

The NSW Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation claims that the NSW fire safety system provides better protection but Fair Trading identified 1,041 residential buildings that could have similar dangerous cladding and has asked building owners to pay a fire expert to check fire systems and declare that their building meets regulations. The big question is who is responsible for repair/replacement for unsafe cladding and I’ve asked the minister who will be responsible for rectification and who has to pay, HERE. 

Say Yes

Join me Thursday and Friday mornings to hand out ‘Yes’ flyers in the Sydney CBD 7.30-9am – respond to this message to let me know. You can also join me for a special fundraiser at NSW Parliament for the ‘Yes’ campaign 6-9.30pm Tuesday 19 September. Speakers include former Governor Marie Bashir, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and myself. Buy your ticket HERE.

IWORCS

Night time noise and construction impacts is an increasing concern with numerous road works, infrastructure and development projects around the CBD and inner city, especially as RMS will not allow excavation of roads during the day. It is difficult to find who is responsible and get help when the problem is occurring, when you want to sleep. I’ve asked the Minister for Innovation & Better Regulation to support the www.streetsopening.com.au/iworcs.

I’m hopeful that the government will make it easier for everyone to get information and get quick action to stop intrusive late night noise and continue to push for acoustic protections, noisier work to be done earlier in the evening and respite breaks in work. In response to my representations supporting the Streets Opening Coordinating Council’s online IWORCS platform to coordinate RMS, water, gas, electricity, telecommunications and council projects, the Minister for Finance, Services and Property says that the department will work with on a public interface HERE.

PCYC Hits 80

Last Saturday I joined Federal Member for Sydney Tanya Plibersek, Police Commissioner Mick Fuller, Clr Robert Kok, PCYC CEO Dominic Teakle, manager Adam Thompson and local police and team to celebrate 80 years of PCYC clubs. The first club in 1937 was at Woolloomooloo and there are now 60 across NSW. PCYCs, police and volunteers work with young people through constructive activities and new skills, HERE.

Bike Share

Two dockless bike share operators are operating in Sydney with about 1,000 bikes you use via a smartphone app. There is no docking station – you can pick them up and leave them anywhere, locking the bike through the app. This will make it easier to get about the city centre but could lead to congestion or blocked access. Contact the company if you see problems: www.reddygo.com.au for red bikes or for yellow bikes: www.o.bike. In response to my questions about the new industry model and potential new, the minister says the government will monitor what is happening, HERE.

RU OK

Check out the RU OK event at Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre 11.30am-2pm Thursday 14 September, a two course lunch with talk show about living with a mental illness and how we can all help. Bookings essential: phone Victoria 9356 4977 or [email protected].