Proposal to open up Moore Park Golf Course as a public park
There is only a short time left to have your say on plans by the City of Sydney to open up part of the Moore Park Golf Course as a public park. This plan will significantly improve liveability in our neighbourhood, but will only happen with the strong support of our community.
Have your say on cycleways in Erskineville and Alexandria
There is only a short time left to have your say on plans by the City of Sydney to build new safe, separated cycleways, in Erskineville and Alexandria. To make your submission on the new cycleways click here(closes 18 December)
Community rejects public housing redevelopment and sell off in Eveleigh
Local residents and community members in Eveleigh unanimously rejected the NSW Government's plan to redevelop the Explorer Street public housing estate at a community online meeting led by Jenny Leong MP, Member for Newtown and Greens NSW spokesperson on Housing. The meeting opposed the plan to use this site to create a large number of high density private dwellings with a small increase in public housing and affordable dwellings. The following resolution was passed on Dec 8, 2020: This meeting of residents expresses its opposition to the proposed demolition and rebuilding of the social housing units at Explorer Street in Eveleigh. We believe public land should be used exclusively for social and affordable housing. These projects won’t address the social housing shortage in the inner city, they are out of keeping with the low-rise character of Eveleigh and they will displace residents for years. We call on the NSW Government to: Abandon their proposal to knock-down and rebuild this estate. Develop a comprehensive plan to fund a significant increase in social housing construction in NSW and significant maintenance works to ensure every home is in good, liveable condition.
Jenny Leong MP blasts the Government for their failure to support vital ICAC funding
Greens Member for Newtown, Jenny Leong MP has blasted the Liberal/National government for failing to provide ICAC with vital funding.
Greens move successful amendment to ensure consultation with Aboriginal communities on energy projects
Greens Member for Newtown, Jenny Leong MP has praised the Greens amendment to ensure that Aboriginal communities are consulted and included in the development of renewable energy infrastructure in NSW.
South Eveleigh Public Housing Redevelopment
Jenny Leong MP gave a Notice of Motion raising questions about the redevelopment of public housing in Eveleigh and calling for improved and increased public, social and affordable housing on public land.
Greens Wholeheartedly Oppose Mandatory Disease Testing Bill
In late 2020 the NSW Liberal/National Police Minister, with the support of NSW Labor introduced the deeply flawed Mandatory Disease Testing Bill 2020. The Greens strongly oppose the bill on the basis that it does not come close to achieving its stated aim of protecting frontline workers from contracting blood-borne diseases and created unacceptable risks for certain communities - further vilifying and isolating certain people in our community.
"Disgraceful" Drug Supply Prohibition Order Pilot Scheme Bill
The Greens absolutely oppose the "disgraceful" Drug Supply Prohibition Order Pilot Scheme Bill 2020. This bill creates a pilot scheme for drug prohibition orders which will apply in the Bankstown Police Area Command and the Coffs‑Clarence, Hunter Valley and Orana Mid-Western police districts for two years. Under the scheme police will be able to seek an order for a person who has been convicted of a serious drug offence. If the order is made police can stop, search and detain people without a warrant. It is clear that this is a bad bill.
Crucial Domestic Violence Legislative Amendments Welcome
Crucial amendments have been made by the Legislative Council to the Stronger Communities Legislation Amendment (Domestic Violence) Bill 2020. These amendments will go a long way to improve the outcomes for victim survivors of domestic and family violence in the State.
iCare Bill in the Legislative Assembly
Although The Greens acknowledge that both a review and an inquiry into iCare are underway, more needs to be done immediately to stop the rorts from continuing. Although The Greens' Public Works and Procurement Amendment (Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer) Bill 2020 passed the Legislative Council, the Legislative Assembly voted against a second reading of the bill.
Small Bar Amendments Welcomed
Legislative Council amendments to the Liquor Amendment (24-hour Economy) Bill 2020, in particular, the amendments relating to small bars, will have a significant positive impact on the Electorate of Newtown and in protecting and rebuilding our vibrant night-time culture.
Calling on the Government to Save Our Stages
Last week, the Save Our Stages petition, that has so far gathered over 27 000 signatures, was presented to Parliament by the Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich MP. Jenny Leong MP spoke in support of the petition and called for a genuine commitment from Ministers to deliver a stimulus package for the live music industry that will ensure the survival of its venues.
Community Recognition: The Social Outfit
Jenny Leong MP, Member for Newtown recognised the wonderful traineeship program run by The Social Outfit.
Community Recognition: Raise Foundation
Jenny Leong MP, Member for Newtown, recognised the Raise Youth Frontiers program at Fort Street High School.
Budget fails to deliver real outcomes in housing
This year’s budget was an opportunity for the NSW government to deliver major investment in social and affordable housing to address the urgent need for homes that people can afford especially at this time as we face the social and economic impacts of Covid in the coming year. Unfortunately the Treasurer has not delivered any significant funds, plans or strategies to deal with the growing crisis in housing in NSW. This is in stark contrast to the $5.2b that the Victorian government committed to spend on the development of some 12,000 public housing dwellings in the next 4 years. There is $110m this year to provide upgrades and maintenance to social housing properties, including properties managed by Community Housing Providers and this figure includes funds to provide jobs for this work. This is important funding as it’s vital to address the chronic neglect of maintenance in the government’s social housing stock. However this funding does not address the urgent need to build and develop many more dwellings that people can afford to live in during 2020-2021. The allocation of $182.9 million for the construction and acceleration of new social housing properties across NSW by the Land and Housing Corporation and the claim that this will result in an addition 1300 new social housing dwellings, is not adequate. This will not produce homes for the more than 100,000 people on the social housing waiting list now or the many more who will need social housing as the economic situation worsens in the next 12 months as a result of Covid. Just $17.3m has been allocated to funding Aboriginal housing for only 53 new homes in regional and metro locations. Included in this allocation is support for Aboriginal employment in the construction and trade industry. The lack of social and affordable Aboriginal housing is severe and will not be solved by this small funding package. $14.4 million has been allocated to support the Aboriginal Community Housing (ACHP) sector to undertake maintenance, roof restoration/replacements, air conditioning and solar power installation, and construct granny flats and extensions to improve living conditions for Aboriginal people in NSW. Compared to the $100m allocation for sports infrastructure in NSW, these budget allocations are shamefully inadequate in addressing the urgent housing needs of Aboriginal people in NSW. The support for homelessness services in this budget is welcome. The $291.8 million to deliver a range of specialist homelessness services across New South Wales is crucially important given the predicted rise in those experiencing homelessness as a result of the impacts of the pandemic and is testament to the positive work done by peak homelessness and housing bodies throughout the pandemic. For those hoping to buy a home, the Treasurer’s statements on a potential transition away from the current transfer duty and land tax system should mean that purchasing a home is more affordable for first home buyers into the future.
