Electorate Update #6: WestConnex in Parliament, Eveleigh Community Meeting, Save Marrickville Council

Government caves to Community Pressure and releases WestConnex Business Case

Yesterday around one hundred residents directly affected by WestConnex joined me in Parliament, as we debated the 'Stop WestConnex' petition. More than 10,000 people from across Sydney and NSW signed the petition, which called on Premier Mike Baird to halt work on WestConnex until the full business case has been released and a parliamentary inquiry has been conducted.

Today the much-delayed updated business case was finally released - thanks to the strong pressure from the community campaign.

Read more and watch my Parliamentary speech here.

Community meeting: ATP, Alex Hotel and North Eveleigh

Greedy developers are circling our neighbourhoods around these key sites. There are huge development pressures on this iconic area.

• The NSW Government’s Urban Growth plans include 20 storey apartment buildings at the North Eveleigh site (near Carriageworks and Darlington). 
• The Government has sold off Australian Technology Park to a Mirvac Commonwealth Bank consortium, and there are huge development pressures on this iconic area. 
• The Alexandria Hotel is saved - for now!

Where: Alexandria Hotel

When: 11am Saturday 28th November

What: Hear from representatives of REDwatch, Friends of Erskineville and Alexandria Residents Action Group and get active to save our neighbourhoods

RSVP

Residents fighting to save the Alex Hotel

Marrickville Council and forced amalgamations

Despite community opposition, the NSW Government continues to push ahead with its plan for forced Council amalgamations. Marrickville Council is one of the councils targeted for amalgamation, but our Greens Councillors are standing strong against merger proposals.
The recent IPART report into local councils involved a flawed process that gave a rigged outcome. It recommended that of the 152 state wide councils, 103 councils merge, even though the vast majority were assessed as being financially 'fit'. Many were given an overall ‘unfit’ ruling simply because of their size, showing a clear preference for mega-councils that will inevitably mean fewer localised services and less local advocacy.

Add your voice to our petition to Save Marrickville Council here.

Government Strata Laws could force people from their homes

The Baird Government has pushed through changes to strata laws that will allow a strata scheme to be sold with support from just 75% of owners.

More and more people are living in strata properties. So it’s extremely concerning that these laws will allow a majority block of owners to vote to sell a building against the wishes of their neighbours. By 2040 half of Sydney's residents will live in strata - that will mean half of Sydney will be living without security - with the threat of being kicked out of their home hanging over them.

You can watch my parliamentary speech opposing the laws here.

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance, when we remember members of our trans communities who have been victims of transphobic violence or discrimination. Too many trans people have faced violence, abuse or mental health problems brought about by stigma, discrimination, isolation and exclusion.

As the NSW Greens spokesperson on LGBTIQ issues, I’ll continue to work with the trans community to bring much needed law reform and attitudinal changes that will have a real impact on people’s lives. You can read my contribution to a recent debate on LGBTI law reform here.

I’ll be marking Transgender Day of Remembrance at the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre event this evening, hosted by the Gender Centre. I hope to see some of you there.

Try to stay cool and have a great weekend,

• City Hub look at how the new strata laws could push people out of their home.
• The Inner West Courier Government changes to public school enrolment forms that make it harder for parents put their kids in ethics classes instead of religious education.
• News.com.au investigate why Inner West train users are bearing the brunt of weekend station closure.
• Local residents have expressed outrage over a proposed redevelopment of North Eveleigh that includes a 20 storey building.

• A number of sites that are part of WestConnex are riddled with asbestos contamination. I raised residents’ concerns with the Premier and asked him to investigate.
• We have a crisis in housing affordability that is putting immense pressure on people throughout the community. I spoke in Parliament on the need to recognise housing as a social an economic right that requires public investment.
• People buying off the plan will be better protected from unscrupulous developers taking advantage of ‘sunset clauses’, which allow them to rescind on contracts. I welcomed the changes, which will have a positive affect throughout NSW.  

• Are you a renter? Then take our Renters Survey and help us prepare a response to the Government’s review of the Residential Tenancies Act.
• Connect with us online via Facebook and Twitter.
• Forward this email to people you know in the local community.