For community need, not developer greed: 2017 NSW council election campaigns

2017 NSW Local Government elections

Policy platform

Community need, not developer greed

People are sick of being trampled underfoot by greedy governments and corporations.

They worry that the forced amalgamation of the inner west three councils will mean a less representative and less accountable local government.

The NSW government forced through council amalgamations to weaken comunity resistance to developer greed and to pave the way for the multi-billion-dollar private tollway scam that is WestConnex.

We say:

End the cosy relationship with greedy developers
Direct action for housing, amenities and sustainability
More open and green spaces
Fund disability access improvements
Public transport, not tollways

Scrap WestConnex - public transport now

We totally oppose WestConnex.

Money should be spent on expanding and improving public transport not building more motorways.

We think WestConnex should be halted immediately and the communities already wrecked by this disastrous project rehabilitated.

We also oppose the privatisation of Sydney Buses.

We say:

Stop the mulit-billion-dollar tollway scam that is WestConnex
Rehabilitate devestated communities
Expand and improve public transport
Monitor the Sydney Motorway Corporation to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and standards
Continue the WestConnx Community Liaison Forum
Council should campaign against the privatisation of Sydney Buses
Create and promote safe cycling and pedestrian pathways

Open, democratic, accountable council

People want local government to work for our communities and to be more responsive.

There is a rich history of democratic and inclusive council practice that was pioneered in the former Leichhardt Council and we should build on that tradition.

Councillors should be accountable to local ward and precinct meetings and act as facilitators of direct community action.

We say:

Regular ward and precinct meetings with residents
Accountability: no secret council meetings and briefings
Reverse the forced council amalgamation

Council action on housing

Housing stress is a major issue in the Inner West.

Many students and workers are finding it very hard to make ends meet. There are also many people who simply have no place to go. Council must come up with solutions that can ease that stress and this will be a key focus.

Council should help provide afforadable, quality and sustainable public housing, support rent regukation and mandate really affordable housing as a significant part of all major housing developments.

We say:

Sustainable, quality public housing is council business
Work with other tiers of government to solve homelessness and rental stress
Support rent caps for low income housing
Mandate at 30% low income housing as part of all major residential developments

For council help with cost of living

We say:

No rise in rates or fees for council services above inflation
Stop the cost-shifting: full state and federal funding of council community services
Reject the privatisation and outsourcing of council services