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The Glebe Society invited the five candidates for election as Mayor of the Council of City of Sydney to a meeting at Glebe primary School on Wednesday 3 September.  As there will not be a Glebe Society Bulletin before we vote on Saturday 13 September, here is a report on the meeting.

The candidates are:

• Meredith Burgmann (Labor)

• Chris Harris (The Greens)

• Shayne Mallard (Liberal)

• Ormond McDermott (Independent)

• Clover Moore (Clover Moore Independent Team)

We thank the four candidates were able to attend and address an audience of about 60 interested voters, including many who are not members of the Glebe Society.  The Independent candidate, Ormond McDermott, did not attend.  The President of the Glebe Society, Jan Macindoe, was in the Chair.

Format of the Meeting:

Candidates’ speeches - in the first part of the evening, each candidate was allowed 10 minutes to speak, including giving answers to four questions which had been sent to them in advance.

The questions were:

1. What strategies would you adopt to ensure high levels of protection for heritage buildings, in Glebe and elsewhere in the City of Sydney, in light of the decreased protection resulting from recent State Government changes to Planning and Heritage legislation? (Heritage)

2. The City has a major commitment to sustainability through its “Sustainable Sydney 2030” strategy. What action would you take to involve residents in sustainability issues? (Sustainability)

3. What do you see as the challenges in implementing the social and affordable housing project the City is undertaking jointly with Housing NSW, and what approach will you adopt to meeting those challenges? (Affordable housing)

4. What position would you take towards an application by Harold Park Trotting Club to have the Paceway site re-zoned prior to sale? (The current zoning, Open Space, allows for educational purposes, and thus would favour the University of Sydney as a purchaser of the site.) (Harold Park)

Questions from the floor - members of the audience were asked to provide questions to the candidates in writing.  After a short break, Jan Macindoe asked candidates as many as possible of these questions.

Notes of the meeting were taken by Bob Armstrong, Bobbie Bourke, Susie Cleary, Edwina Doe and Neil Macindoe.

The Candidates’ Opinions

Answers to Glebe Society questions:

Heritage: The new planning laws have not changed protection of heritage.  Council still have control over procedures to protect heritage.

Sustainability: Current document is about how Council will reduce carbon footprint.  Council’s document doesn’t say what citizens can do to reduce carbon footprint.  There is need for suggestions for residents.

Affordable Housing: Supports affordable (key worker) housing.

Harold Park: Not suitable for high rise. Need for community consultation, but needs community services such as aged and childcare.

General:

Moved to Glebe in 1968 while a student.  In 1970 the North West Distributor threatened to split Glebe.  Was living in Darghan Street and became involved in anti-freeway and save Lyndhurst campaigns.  Wrote PhD on Green Bans, and recently a book on Green Bans.  Residents were fed up with pro-development Askin and hot money from the USA – pulled down old buildings and wanted to build sports complex in Centennial Park.  My three favourite buildings include Record Reign Hall.  In 1975 I moved to Campbell Street, a private house on the Glebe Estate.

This Council has left lots of people behind. There is a need for aged and childcare, because more young couples are staying in city.  Need for services for youth, especially after dark, including North Sullivan's photography project. Glebe Point Road upgrade is going on far too long.  Only two members of our Labor team are from Glebe.  Given the likely result of the election, I will be the only Councillor from Glebe when Councillor Kemmis retires.
 

Answers to questions from the floor:

Wards: In favour – 160 000 residents and 22 suburbs. Needs representation from each area.  Now costs $200,000 to run by-election.  Too hard to have democratic election, because too expensive for genuine independents – only parties can contest.

Donations/consultation: Will not accept donations from pressure groups. Limit of $200. Happy to accept donations from unions, but none offered.

Disappointed by Council consultations – too much time was dedicated to Council Officers talking about issues that were not important to residents.  Not enough time for questions. Questions about safety in Oxford Street not answered.

Recycling e-waste: Council should make it easier for residents. Rang Council 20 times to get new wheelie bin (about two years ago)

Answers to Glebe Society questions:
 

Heritage:  The Glebe area has a Heritage Study with detailed mapping, and what is in the LEP is legally protected, although the State Government laws have been strengthened. Council is very positive towards heritage. City has large heritage team. Amazingly detailed work done. Nothing to worry about in Glebe. City in strong position to protect heritage.

Sustainability: environment was not just a factor, it is the only factor. Some projects in the 2030 strategy are a waste of money, but, as the Greens Party, any environmental issues will be supported.  Don’t support everything in Plan. Would have 100 community gardens in LGA if he was Mayor. I would encourage farmers to come to neighbourhoods and sell produce. Currently 71% waste to land fill.  It is a disgrace. Would have zero waste policy by 2020.Would like second hand Saturdays every second Saturday. Would establish a sustainable house to show residents how to make their houses sustainable.  Would have plastic bag strategy.

Affordable housing: I endorse affordable housing.  ‘Affordable housing’ is not a jail, it is housing for workers, like us.  People will be rehoused and some reallocated. Some land may be sold – who will benefit?  Don’t agree with sale of some land to private interests with current strategy.  Would have all for affordable housing not just 129 units.

Harold Park - should stay as open space. Doesn’t necessarily support University there.  Need to see controls first before approving purchase by the University of Sydney.

Other comments:

I would introduce many initiatives, including:

• reinvigorate the ‘butt’ programme

• replacing street lighting with LED lighting

• introducing a cycling hire scheme

• introducing a 40km speed limit

• increasing compliance regarding responsible service of alcohol

• increasing facilities for young people, including three skate plazas, and a BMX push bike park

Answers to questions from the floor:

I am in favour of Wards being introduced

I support the plan for a City Square opposite the Town Hall.

Candidates should not be permitted to accept donations, and the Greens do not accept donations from organisations of any kind.

Answers to Glebe Society questions

Heritage - .Supports Council’s position on Heritage protection

Sustainability – in support

Affordable housing:  I don’t support Council’s MOU regarding affordable housing.  It is not the responsibility of Council to provide sustainable housing.  It should build on the policy of the previous South Sydney Council of a levy on developers to provide sustainable housing which is transferred to Independent Authority eg Green Square.  Council should have a greater say on developments without digging into ratepayers’ pockets.

Harold Park – I prefer it to stay zoned open space.  Healthy for it to be a strong education zone,  rather than housing

General:

• We have a team of nine people from business to arts.  We need more balance in Council.  Other three tickets, they are all to the left.
  

• I have always been concerned about the fiscal methods of the Lord Mayor, drawing on the savings of Council.  Council must live within its means.
  

• I still get phone calls about community safety, eg street violence, break and enter.  The City should provide more Rangers to back up the Police in Glebe Point Road.
  

• Parking meters should be turned off on Sundays.
  

• We would give a $500 cash back if you give up your car for five years, walking or using public transport or car pooling instead.  This would be a legally binding contract.
  

• I am concerned about the balance and accountability of Council.

Questions from the floor:

Unfortunately Shayne had a prior commitment and was not able to stay to answer questions from the floor.

Answers to Glebe Society questions:

Heritage - is important. Adopted new Heritage Control Plan. New Heritage grants. Completed Heritage Study for Glebe. One Conservation area replaced by 7 conservation areas and GPR is now a Heritage Streetscape.

Sustainability – Sustainable Sydney 2030 is the Independent Team’s vision for the future.

Affordable housing – We have a full time public housing officer. (Further information in answer to questions from the floor).

Harold Park – don’t support rezoning of Harold Park site. Will take community advice concerning affordable housing.

General

• Corrected two matters:
  (i) Shayne’s comments re fiscal responsibility. Council is financially sound.  Reserves have grown to over $400m. This year there is a $90m operating surplus.
  (ii) Meredith’s comments re child care centres. Council identified need for 900 places. 550 in planning and the rest are in place. There has been an increase in number of child care places provided by Council including those that will be provided in new Surry Hills Child Care Centre.
  

• Listed matters relevant to Glebe.  Glebe is one of the most active areas in the LGA .
  

• Local Action Plans.  Committed to 900 actions overall. More than 350 complete. Some relevant to Glebe.
  

• Glebe Foreshore Walk.  Completed four stages.  Will complete to Fish Markets.
  

• Will work with community to find low-impact use for Bellevue.
  

• Have spent money on Wentworth Park.  Will work with the Trust to upgrade Wattle Street perimeter walls and open up the viaducts.
  

• Upgraded Franklyn Street playground.
  

• Working on Foley Park with the Wireless House to be a public art project.
  

• In Forest Lodge Orphan School Creek park and playground are underway.
  

• Funds are committed for upgrade of Minogue Reserve and Peter Forsythe Auditorium.
  

• 5000 street trees planted across LGA and removed 3000 poles and signs.
  

• Glebe Point Road - one in a century upgrade of civil works.  Undergrounding electricity poles.  Working on upgrade to ensure success of Glebe Street Fair.
  

• Provided extra parking to compensate for loss of some parking spots  during the upgrade.
  

• Grants and Sponsorship Program- 4.5m for 500 grants.
  

•  Approved $150,000 for Glebe Youth Service.  Through Lord Mayoral Salary Trust donated more than $570,000 to community organisations and recently provided $10,000 to Glebe Youth Service. 

Questions from the floor:

I am not in favour of wards. Independent team is not directed from Head office.  Independents can vote independently and not be beholden to anyone. All councilors should be committed to all areas of the LGA.

Affordable housing is important. There is a six month feasibility study into Affordable housing the results of which   can be used in other Local Government areas. Affordable Housing could be run by for example by City-West.

The vision for a Town Hall Civic Square is progressing with the council buying up property in proposed area when it comes on the market.

Consultation has been a major initiative. There have been 280 public meetings and 24 news letters. I see consultation as being very important.

Elections are supported by community donations.

E-waste. It is very important and major work is needed in this area. It is a challenge for all. The State refuses to do anything on retainer deposits.