07 December 2004

Redfern Waterloo Bill 2004

It currently looks like the Bill will be debated in the Upper House tonight after 8pm tonight.

Word around the corridors is that the Government is expected to introduce at least three amendments themselves to address some of the concerns raised form the community. Amendments are expected to insert Objects for the Bill, provide for community participation and regarding heritage. There may be other amendments also introduced by the Government. So far the amendments have not been sighted so we do not know how close they come to what has been requested. In spite of the Oppositions comments yesterday there is still the possibility of amendments being moved by them we hear as well as by Fred Nile and the Greens.

There has been a lot of work put in to lobbying and it looks like those working on the ALP may have convinced the Government to meet some of the community’s concerns even thought the Liberals yesterday were saying they would not push for amendments.

Within the last day NCOSS, a number of peak agencies and community organizations wrote to the Premier, Opposition Leader and Minister Sartor asking for the bill to be referred to committee or failing that for the NCOSS, REDWatch and RLS amendments to be accepted by Government. The details can be found in the NCOSS press statement - 7/12/04 Media Release: entitled “Closer Look Needed at Redfern-Waterloo Authority Bill”.

Last night Clover Moore tabled a Lord Mayoral Minute on the Redfern/Waterloo Authority Bill 2004 which you can view here (22Kb)  

By late tonight Redfern Waterloo should know what we will have to work with for the next ten years and what if anything all the lobbying has produced.

It would be good to have people in the gallery tonight for the discussion to let the Parliamentarians know we care about what happens. If you can not make it to parliament it is possible to listen (or watch if you have broadband) to the Legislative Council debate on your computer from the parliamentary web site http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/web/common.nsf/V3HHBDayLC?open&key=20041207 (warning however - if you get charged for downloads then this will count)

Waterloo Rally Yesterday

There was good media coverage with spots all evening, TV news as well as lots of radio. Thanks to all those who put the word out and turned up. A lot of people put in a lot of work to produce a real community event that put out the word that Redfern Waterloo must be consulted in whatever happens in our area. Well done to everyone.

RWPP Website has now posted the Redfern Waterloo Plan #2

This fact sheet was distributed around Redfern Waterloo over the weekend. If you have not seen it you can now Download Fact Sheet (1.1Mb PDF). The Human Services Factsheet which was up last weekend has disappeared.

A Smile on How Consultation and the Plan Works

Thanks to Ross Smith for the spoof explanation on how the Plan gets worked on between the community and the Premier to become policy. Hopefully it will bring a smile to your face as it did mine!.

In the beginning was the Plan.

And then came the assumptions,

And the assumptions were without form,

And the plan was completely without substance,

And the darkness was upon the faces of the residents;

And they spoke unto each other, saying: "This plan is a crock of sh*t and it stinks."

 And the residents went to their Coffee Shop gurus and said unto them :

"It is a pail of dung and none may abide the odour thereof."

 And the Coffee Shop gurus went unto the Local Pundits and said unto them:

“It is a container of excrement and it is very strong such that none here may abide it."

 And the Local Pundits went unto their Party Branches and said unto them:
"It is a Vessel of Fertilizer and none may abide its strength."

 And the Party Branches went unto their State Directorate and said:

“It contains that which aids plant growth and is very strong."

 And the State Directorate went to the Minister and said unto him:

“It promotes growth and is very powerful."

 And the Minister went unto the Premier and said unto him:

“This powerful new Plan will actively promote the efficiency of our organisation and ensure improved Treasury yield in particular."

 And the Premier looked upon the Plan and saw that it was good.

 And lo, the Plan became Policy.