Recently Ashfield Council, in conjunction with our neighbours Leichhardt Council, ran a very successful Electronic Waste Collection Event. The purpose of the event was to provide a way for people to get rid of hard-to-dispose-of items like broken TVs, video players, household electrical goods etc.
Residents in more than 900 vehicles brought their unwanted goods and 4 forty foot shipping containers were filled with e-waste, that is almost double the amount collected at the previous event held earlier this year. Council is committed to providing a comprehensive waste and recycling service to our residents and the next Electronic Waste Collection Day is being planned for May 2012. If you would like to be informed in good time of this event please send an email to sustainability@ashfield.nsw.gov.au with the subject line ‘E-Waste Notification’.

Greenway Update

This week I’d also like update you on the campaign to Save the GreenWay. You may remember that the building of the shared path component of the project has been deferred by the current State Government after it had been given the green light by the previous Government.

The four participating Councils have been engaged in lobbying for recommitment to constructing the path and this has involved delegations to the Ministers for Environment and Transport. In a recent meeting Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian indicated that the GreenWay will be reviewed as part of the integrated transport strategy for NSW.

It is reassuring that the GreenWay is still on the Government’s agenda but we are continuing to campaign for a greater commitment because this proiect is vital to fixing the missing north/south regional link in the Inner West active transport network.

I urge you to attend a GreenWay festival event this week to learn more about the scheme, please download a full program by visiting  www.greenway.org.au

The campaigning group Friends of the GreenWay have also organised a community rally to show their support. This will be held in Johnson Park, Dulwich Hill on Saturday 29 October from 12pm to 1pm. The website with more information about this event is www.friendsofthegreenway.org.au.

Ashfield Council is committed at all levels to pursuing the completion of the GreenWay in its entirety and we will continue to advocate strongly for this important community asset.

Mayor Lyall Kennedy

25 October 2011

I am very pleased to report that Ashfield Council recently applied for and received grant funding from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to set up an innovative new Settlement Service.

Immigrant and refugee families often live difficult lives as they adjust to new communities and a new culture. Some of these challenges affect the basic health of a family or individual as they attempt to access our health system. However dealing with education issues, employment, housing, emotional isolation, prejudice and basic cultural differences also shape the ability of these new residents to be healthy and happy in Australia.
The aim of the Service is to assist people who have migrated to Australia as humanitarian entrants or as family stream migrants in the last five years.  Those targeted clients are particularly vulnerable because of their low English proficiency. The Settlement Service worker will work towards the outcome of clients becoming self reliant and able to realise their potential in our community.

These results will be achieved through case work, referrals and specific information sessions on topics such as education and training, employment, accommodation, legal matters, health, driver training and road safety awareness, financial management and family relationships.

The project also aims to promote an understanding and interest in volunteering and to link people with mainstream volunteering opportunities. This will be a win-win situation for both parties, with volunteers gaining valuable work and social experience and the organisations benefitting from the skills and hard work of the volunteers.

The telephone enquiry service every Monday and the face to face service on Wednesday, are due to begin later in October.  Clients will be referred but people can also refer themselves. Staff are particularly looking at the moment for Volunteer Organisations that would like to take part in the project – for more information on all aspects of the service please contact Cathy Gao on 02 9716 1800.

The project is funded until the end of June 2012, I very much look forward to reporting to you on its successes.
Mayor Lyall Kennedy

4 October 2011

The large Flour Mills development site at 2-32 Smith Street Summer Hill is currently the subject of a Concept Plan Application which is being considered by the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure. The developers intentions regarding this site are of great interest to both Ashfield and Marrickville Councils because of the enormous impact any development will have on our communities.

The site straddles Ashfield and Marrickville Council areas and is adjacent to another mixed use development proposal in Marrickville Council area known as the Lewisham Towers. The combined sites will result in around 800 new residential units housed in multiple high rise buildings and generate an additional 1,000 cars per hour on the roads during peak hours.

There has been active community concern about the scale of these developments with over 1,200 letters of objection being lodged with the Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
The Planning Minister has decided that the determination for the Lewisham Towers site will be made by the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC). On the 9 August Council resolved that the Summer Hill Mills development and the Lewisham Towers Development be referred jointly to the PAC so that they are considered cumulatively as a whole precinct.
We also resolved, that based on the precedent set by the recent Barangaroo review, at least two of the strategic planners on the PAC should be appointed from outside NSW and that the hearings be held in public. This will ensure that the scale, context and cumulative impacts on the adjoining communities can be fully understood and assessed in a transparent process.
Council had previously requested that the RTA undertake a study on the impact the development proposals will have on local and regional traffic.

The Minister for Roads and Ports, The Hon. Duncan Gay MLC, has responded to our request. He has advised that the RTA has requested more traffic impact reports on Old Canterbury Road. These reports will be subject to an independent audit. When these have been received the RTA will determine improvements needed to maintain existing service levels on Old Canterbury Road.

He also advised that, if the Department of Planning requires the developers to do further traffic impact modelling, the RTA will review and audit those reports on behalf of Council.

Council remains very concerned about the impact of these developments on the surrounding communities.

Mayor Lyall Kennedy

Mayoral Column 27/9/2011

I am extremely disappointed that the State Government has decided against building the GreenWay with the Light Rail extension.

Recently the Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian said while the Inner West Light Rail Extension will go ahead, the associated walking and cycle path, known as the GreenWay, will not. Ms Berejiklian said this was because the ‘real’ cost of the GreenWay was $37m not $30m as estimated by the previous State Government, and a number of “unresolved design issues related to the Greenway” are causing delays to the Light Rail project.

I have joined with my fellow Mayors of Marrickville and Leichardt to condemn this decision. We believe that the GreenWay would provide easy access to Light Rail stops, and enhance Sydney’s regional walking / cycling path network. We are also unaware of any critical “unresolved design issues” associated with the GreenWay.

The current approved GreenWay proposal is extremely well planned and integrated. The GreenWay has ‘priority’ status in the Government’s NSW Bikeplan, and is identified in the Government’s Metropolitan Plan for Sydney 2036, the Sydney Inner West Subregional Strategy, and a number of council plans including the Inner Sydney Regional Bikeplan and the GreenWay Masterplan & Coordination Strategy.

The GreenWay will provide a unique opportunity to bring significant improvements in biodiversity and sustainable forms of transport to the inner west and I know it has wide community support.

I am very surprised that on the same day that the State Government released the NSW 2021 Plan which includes a commitment to construct the Metro Bike Network, the Minister withdrew funding for the GreenWay, which is one of the priority links in the network.

On the positive side, the Environment Minister Robyn Parker, has agreed to Council’s request to provide a briefing to her on the GreenWay. This is scheduled for this Friday.

The Minister for Transport has also agreed to meet a delegation from the four GreenWay Councils on 11 October. I’m hoping that the Minister will accept an invitation to come and visit the GreenWay. I’m sure that if she did, she would appreciate what a unique project it is and how much it is valued by the community.

Mayor Lyall Kennedy

Mayoral Column 20/9/2011

It is with great pleasure and with a great feeling of purpose that I write this first column as the new Mayor of Ashfield.

I have been a Councillor since 2008 and was delighted and honoured to be appointed Ashfield’s first Greens Mayor at the recent Mayoral elections. Congratulations to Councillor Lucille McKenna on her election as our new Deputy Mayor.

I would also like to acknowledge the outgoing Mayor Councillor Cassidy who has worked hard in the role over the past five years and thank Councillor Wangmann who was the Deputy Mayor.
As Mayor I intend to build upon the previous work of Council to ensure our local area continues to thrive and develop. I am looking forward to working hard to serve the local community and working with Council’s General Manager to ensure the highest standards of service are delivered to local residents.
As a Greens Mayor I’m interested in reconciliation and promoting a connected and sustainable community, building on what makes the Ashfield Council Area such a great place to live, work and play – the cultural diversity, heritage, vibrant town centre and thriving villages.
I am committed to involving the community in key decisions and projects, engaging stakeholders in Council initiatives and ensuring that everyone’s views are represented.
Over the next year there will be a number of formal and informal opportunities for you to have your say on Council issues that matter to you. One opportunity will be on Saturday 17 September, when I and fellow Councillors will be at the Ashfield Library between 10am and midday. We will be available for an informal chat. Please come along and say hello. I am looking forward to meeting as many residents as possible.
As Mayor I am keen to work with you to promote and advocate strongly on behalf of our community.

Ashfield Council has a new mayor, Greens councillor Lyall Kennedy,  following an election on Monday 5 September.   Cr Kennedy is the first Greens Mayor for Ashfield, building on seven years of Greens representation on Ashfield Council.

Clr Kennedy said that being Mayor provided a greater opportunity to advocate on behalf of the residents and business community of Ashfield. “I’m interested in promoting a connected and sustainable community, building on what makes Ashfield council area such a great place to live, work and play - the cultural diversity, heritage, vibrant town centre and thriving villages” he said.

Cr Lyall Kennedy said he will work hard at ensuring Ashfield Council delivers on their commitments to the community.  “I am keen to establish a good working relationship with the General Manager and ensure that elected councillors provide the guidance and support the General Manager needs to continue to deliver quality services to our community” he said.

Mr Kennedy thanked his fellow councillors for their support. “I am honoured to take on the position and am looking forward to working with my fellow Councillors to raise Ashfield Council’s profile,” he said. He particularly thanked the outgoing Mayor, Clr Ted Cassidy, for his hard work over the past five years.

The Greens have preselected former Ashfield Councillor and National Tertiary Education  Union Industrial officer Lance Dale as their candidate for the seat of Strathfield at the 2011 state election.

 He is a skilled campaigner and a local resident well versed in the issues affecting the local community. As councillor, Lance Dale was instrumental in progressing many new initiatives on council including community gardens, park upgrades, urban forestry, social and economic development, e-waste disposal, and a host of other initiatives. In addition, Lance is passionate campaigner to stop the M4 East expansion, opponent of the current State Planning Laws and a outspoken advocate against WorkChoices.

 “There is tremendous discontent with Labor’s bungled attempts at selling the public electricity assets for a cheap penny despite community opposition, and the Liberals are silent and seem to be no different to Labor” said Lance Dale. “The Greens are clear on this. We want to see the electricity assets in  public ownership”

 “The Greens offer honest solutions to the problems NSW faces after years of inaction and misguided adventures from coalition and Labor” said Lance Dale. “It is not surprising we are witness to an uninspiring bodgy state election campaign from both the older parties with nothing to offer to the people across NSW.”

 “NSW is ready to change for better on March the 26th, residents can see that Liberals are no different to the flagging Labor Government and are seriously considering voting Greens in large numbers”

 “Residents across our suburbs need an elected member who shares their concerns and can deliver for our community locally. Clearly, they are not looking to elect a number in the factional system of the older parties”

 “It is a honour and a privilege to be the Greens candidate for the seat of Strathfield” said Lance Dale. “I do not underestimate the task ahead”.

 “I have spoken to Clr Christine Donayre earlier, it has been a difficult choice for Clr Donayre, and we are very proud of the work she has done in the community” said Lance Dale.

 Lance Dale lives locally in Ashfield with his partner and two kids. Lance has worked across the community, public, and trade union sectors. For the past eight years he has worked as an Industrial Officer with the National Tertiary Education Industry Union where he has been responsible for high level negotiation, advocacy and campaigning around workplace conditions and disputes for higher education workers. He has previously worked as a Senior Organiser for the Finance Sector Union and has coordinated youth and community development projects in disadvantaged areas of Western Sydney. He has been active in Oxfam and Amnesty International

Greens candidate and Burwood Councillor Christine Donayre today announced her withdrawal as the preselected candidate for the state seat of Strathfield due to ill health.

Clr Donayre said “ I have been sick over the Christmas period and am still recovering. I believe that in order to recover completely I need to take time off. This is not conducive to running a vigorous election campaign for Strathfield”

“This is an important election for Strathfield and NSW as a whole.” said Clr Donayre “It is incredible that the current Labor Government is bent on electricity privatisation and the coalition has revealed none of its plans.”

“Greens are the genuine choice to the two older parties and I am very confident the Greens will be out in the community with vigour ” said Clr Donayre.

“ Christine is a committed Greens campaigner in our local area, and it has been a difficult decision for her” said the local Greens group Convenor Margaret Levin. “We completely support Christine’s decision and wish her a swift recovery”

“We have begun the pre-selection process for the state seat of Strathfield and will be out in the community again  encouraging the electorate to vote Green on March 26 .”

NOTICE OF MOTION OF WHICH DUE NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN BY

COUNCILLORS MARC RERCERETNAM, LYALL KENNEDY AND PATRICK KELSO

THANKING THE NSW ROADS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITY FOR DECISION TO ERECT ROAD DIVIDER ON LIVERPOOL ROAD, ASHFIELD -

RESPONDING TO NM 24/2009 (12 MAY 2009) REQUEST

9 Nov 2010

On the 12 May 2009, Ashfield Council’s 3 Greens councillors tabled a Notice of Motion proposing the construction of a pedestrian divider fence along strategic sections of Liverpool Road Ashfield. The motion was supported by Council and Cr Lyall Kennedy, as chair of the Ashfield Council Traffic Committee, raised the issue with the RTA through the Traffic Committee.

At the October 2010 Traffic Committee, the RTA advised that it had secured funds to construct a median fence along Liverpool Road through the Ashfield shopping centre. They are also proposing to construct a fence on the footpath outside Ashfield Public School.

It is pleasing to see that the RTA has taken heed of Council’s plea for them to do something about pedestrian safety along Liverpool Road. The original Notice of Motion noted how “… it is quite common to find hurried shoppers crossing Liverpool Road in a dangerous fashion – some literally caught in the middle of Liverpool Road mere inches away from vehicles travelling between 40 to 50 km per hour in both directions”.

Whilst we welcome this safety measure, it is important that the RTA undertake appropriate community consultation on the proposal before commencing work.

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All members and supporters are welcome to attend a special discussion group on Thursday evening 7 October, 8pm at the Summer Hill Community Centre.  Retired Greens State MP Sylvia Hale has recently returned from a tour of the West Bank and Gaza. In her illustrated talk, she will discuss everyday life for Palestinians in the occupied territories, Israel-Palestine tensions, and the feasibility of the ‘two-state solution’ currently advocated by the United States.