Attended Council meeting 12 June, where councillors agreed to update the Local Environmental Plan (the key local document for planning matters) to give Council more control in dealing with new state government rules, of which the latest is their low rise medium density policy. Chaired Council’s environment advisory committee meeting on 28 June. The Committee […]
Report for June 2018 (short version) Read More »
As of the 1st July, bus services in the Inner West have been privatised. On that day I went to the rally at the Leichhardt bus depot against the privatisation, and in support of support of drivers who are now losing pay and conditions. The privatisation breaks an express promise by the NSW Coalition that
Bus services in the Inner West have been privatised Read More »
Most people reading this page will be dealing with some kind of development application that they support or don’t support. Hopefully this page will help you. Objections First of all, don’t send your objection to a councillor thinking they will be able to listen and get the application rejected at a council meeting. That’s because
Dealing with development approvals Read More »
Today is World Water Day. I went to a workshop held in Rhodes with the Parramatta River Catchment Group. The workshop gathered broad input on the work and plans focusing on different aspects of the health of the Parramatta River. Their motto: make the Parramatta River Swimmable again! But more broadly, dealing with a wide
Parramatta River Catchment Group workshop on World Water Day Read More »
On 26 January, I went to Canada Bay Council’s citizenship ceremony in Rhodes. Then I went to the Invasion Day rally and march. I think Australia Day could represent a great way to celebrate all the good things Australians have to offer and enjoy. Of course, the current date doesn’t work for Indigenous Australians, so we
Invasion Day rally and march – Australia Day is on the wrong day Read More »
In mid February I attended a public meeting in Homebush run by the Eastern City Planning Panel, held to get community input into a rezoning proposal for 11-17 Columbia Lane Homebush. This property is within Strathfield Council area, but very close to Canada Bay area. The proposal, with apparent NSW Government support, is to increase
Rezoning proposal in Homebush wants to double heights of buildings Read More »
As of 1 March, the NSW state government has stopped councillors in Canada Bay from determining the outcomes of any development approvals (DAs). The excuse is to stop corruption. The “solution” is to remove the democratic influence of councils on development across Canada Bay, with the NSW government grabbing control and planning laws made even
NSW state government stops councillors determining development approvals Read More »
I attended the Switch 2017 conference for the NSW Public Libraries Association at Penrith. We had some great speakers and a lot of enthusiasm. The key focus is seeing the library as “community glue” and an enabler of community learning. Community libraries do a lot, but need more state government funding. Having once worked for the
Switch 2017 conference for the NSW Public Libraries Association Read More »
On 17 October last year, I introduced a motion to Council supporting marriage equality. Council passed the motion but amended point 3. The full text of my notice of motion was as follows: THAT Council: Supports the entitlement of people in the City of Canada Bay and elsewhere to exercise the civil right to marry
Marriage equality motion supported by council Read More »
On 26 January, I attended the Canada Bay Council ceremony recognising outstanding citizens and swearing in new citizens. And by the way, there was a fantastic local choir there – the Aurora Australia Chorus, based in Concord. [From a previous Facebook post in January.]
Recognising new citizens and outstanding citizens Read More »
