from “Maribyrnong Leader”
by Sasga Shtargot and Brad Ryan
November 3, 2009

OPPONENTS of the planned West Footscray Road Tunnel are stepping up their fight with a rally next month.

The Tunnel to Nowhere public meeting will be held by No Freeway 4 West Footscray and the Brimbank Transport Action Group in the Footscray Mall on November 21 at noon.

The State Government is planning the “Westlink” tunnel to run beneath Footscray and the Maribyrnong River to connect the Port of Melbourne Dynon Rd precinct to West Footscray and the Western Ring Rd.

Opponents fear increased traffic, noise and pollution, damage to suburban amenity and forced property acquisitions.

No Freeway 4 West Footscray spokeswoman Claire O’Sullivan said residents were growing increasingly frustrated at a lack of promised consultation.

“We’re highlighting that the State Government have not consulted with us to an adequate extent,” she said.

“Finalising the details about the tunnel and the freeway and then consulting with us is not consultation.”

Linking Melbourne Authority spokeswoman Jo Weeks said the authority would work with local communities and, while the route of the tunnel has yet to be decided, it would not run through residential areas.

“This project is about taking the growing number of cars and trucks off local roads and putting them on to the freeway network as part of the broader package of initiatives in the Victorian Transport Plan,” she said.

“WestLink has the potential to deliver good things for the West like easier access, less congestion and more jobs.”

http://maribyrnong-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/road-tunnel-foes-footscray-rally/

from “The Star”
By Belinda Nolan
3rd November 2009

HANDS off Sunvale was the message Sunshine residents hurled at the State Government on Sunday.

Around 50 people attended a public rally at the former school site in Sunshine to protest Brimbank Council’s push to install social housing at the site.

While their parents demonstrated outside the gates, a handful of children played among the derelict school buildings.

Residents hope they will one day be able to legitimately claim the site as their own.

They are lobbying for the site to be turned into a park, in a bid to combat Brimbank’s chronic shortage of open space.

Sunshine resident Christine Oosthuizen said local children had to make do with residential areas to play because there was no where else to go.

“I grew up in Sunshine and we never had anywhere to play back then,” she said.

“Now I’ve got two kids and nothing has changed.

“There’s still no where for them to go.

“As a family we go for walks to the shops because there’s just no where else.”

Although not opposed to social housing, residents say Brimbank already has a disproportionate amount, a view echoed by youth worker Les Twentyman.

Speaking at the rally Mr Twentyman said putting more public housing in Brimbank would be a social disaster.

“I’d be the first to say we need more social housing but to set (Sunshine) up as a ghetto is just going to rip the guts out of this community,” Mr Twentyman said.

Sunshine resident Speroulla Christodoulou said she was furious over the council plan.

“Are we getting more social housing because we need it or are we attracting (the disadvantaged) here,” she asked.

“We are not a dumping ground.”

Respect the West member Sean Spencer said the State Government was still deciding what to do with the site and would offer it to its own departments before selling it to the council.

“We need to send a message to them loud and clear that we don’t want any government offices here,” Mr Spencer said.

“They can put their offices somewhere else and keep their hands off Sunvale.”

The residents are writing to the state government to urge it to donate the land for community use.

Anyone wishing to have their say on Sunvale or any other Sunshine issue is urged to attend a council consultation this Thursday.

The Sunshine Community Conversation will be held at the Glengala Community Centre in Glengala Road in Sunshine.

For more information call 9249 4383.

http://starnewsgroup.com.au/story/81914

From ”The Advocate”
Janae Houghton
27 October 2009

Gym lightens heavy lifting

Macho man: Melvin Becket, Angelo Muorwel, Les Twentyman, Hindoloh K Sesay and Adil Suliman. Picture: Michael Copp

SEVEN teenagers from the western suburbs started lifting weights and using treadmills last week as part of an initiative to give disadvantaged kids easy access to fitness programs and sport.

As part of the 20th Man Fund program, youth worker Les Twentyman and the owners of World Gym in Sunshine asked teenagers to apply to win a free six-month membership.

They contacted schools in Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Moonee Valley and Hobsons Bay, urging them to nominate students who would most benefit from the opportunity.

Melvin Becket, Hindoloh Sesay and Egzon Qorri from Maribyrnong College, Adil Suliman from Debney Park Secondary College, and Angelo Muorwel, Amsalu Mengistu and Sorie Thoronka from Sunshine College were chosen.

World Gym manager Andrew Meade said he hoped to continue the program.

“We were pretty happy with the number of applicants we got and we would like to make it an annual thing.”

Mr Twentyman said it was a great way to make sport more accessible.

“This is just another way to help get kids into sport, which can be financially challenging for parents of teenagers so we have to try and give the kids the best chance we can.”

He cited one of the recipients as an example. Adil Suliman was getting into some trouble before someone recommended that he take up soccer.

Since then, Adil has represented Victoria in the under-15s and been recruited to the Australian Institute of Sport.

Adil said the gym membership would “help keep me fit for soccer”.

The students have full access to the whole gym and will also learn about issues such as hydration and weight training.

While no girls were selected for this year’s program, Mr Meade said they were encouraged to apply in future years.

http://www.the-advocate.com.au/news/local/news/general/gym-lightens-heavy-lifting/1659438.aspx

http://www.20thMan.com.au

As previously reported, Tran Siu is getting away with (allegedly) breaching electoral laws. Local Government Minister Richard Wynne is letting him. Do-Nothing Dick has learned nothing from ignoring dozens of letters about corruption at Brimbank Council.

Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association (SunRRA) recorded all registered how to vote cards in 2008 so they could later analyse the use of dummy candidates/rorting of the preferential voting system used to ensure maintenance of an ALP dominated Brimbank Council.

The Brimbank Council election in November 2008 was conducted by attendance voting.

One candidate, Mr Tran Siu – ALP aligned – registered 3 how to vote cards, and (allegedly) used a 4th on polling day which is a breach of electoral laws and can result in him being disqualified from running as a candidate for a period of 7 years.

A complaint was lodged with the Victorian Electoral Commission, and witnesses named and evidence provided. The VEC referred the complaint to Local Government Victoria – a department under Local Government Minister “do-nothing” Richard Wynne. After 11 months, there is no outcome. A witness named in the complaint, have never been interviewed by LGV investigators. LGV investigators are ALP staffers and members.

Letters to the minister (just like the dozens previously written about Brimbank corruption), go nowhere. The letters are referred to LGV and they answer that they do not  disclose the detail of their investigations. Tran Siu was later sacked along with the  other councillors, but this is still a serious (alleged) breach of the electoral laws.

Minister Wynne should have ensured  an outcome to an investigation that should have taken 11 weeks, not 11 months, his Ministerial Apathy Continues.

contact@respectthewest.net

A Must-win for the Community

A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

The Last Chance for the Brimbank CEO

SunRRA October Podcast – It’s a must listen

SunRRA October Podcast – It’s a must listen

SunRRA October Podcast – It’s a must listen

SunRRA Executive
From Left to Right: Deb Howell, Brian Carroll, John Hedditch, John Girardi, Gwen Goedecke, Sean Spencer, Garry Collins, Darlen Reilly.

Opinion

as written for “The Star”
22/09/2009

Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association (SunRRA) was born out of the grass roots community campaign to replace outdoor swimming pools that had been left empty and cracked for well over a decade.

SunRRA quickly identified the link between disadvantaged communities across Brimbank, and the factional power plays that had dominated Brimbank Council for many years.

Powerbrokers external to Brimbank Council did not want a pool for Sunshine and their puppets on council followed orders. In the end the community won the fight and delivered not only an outdoor pool for the children and youth of surrounding areas but also a community movement focused on delivering better services, facilities and outcomes for the future.

Brimbank residents have been caught in the middle of warring between two sides of the same ALP faction both of whom wanted control of the Council. Both sides have succeeded in getting their wish.

The outcome has been political patronage for a few and neglect for the majority.

The obvious conclusion is that while candidates loyal to factional warlords remain on Council the community comes a distant second. Party-aligned candidates who had the community’s interests at heart have been few and far between. Councillors must not view Local Government as a stepping stone to State and Federal Politics but rather as genuine community service.

For Brimbank residents, missing out due to Local and State Government collusion has manifested as the worst health status, highest rate of diabetes, higher than average unemployment, poor access to open space, sub-par public transport, the highest gaming machine losses in the state and rising street violence due to under-resourcing of police.

The State Government should have sacked this inept Council long ago and saved the ratepayers a lot of money and heartache.

We can only hope the Commissioners will right the wrongs of the last 15 years, invest in our parks and gardens; playgrounds; create environments for healthier living; and improve our sporting facilities and run down community buildings. More importantly, we hope this is delivered fairly and equitably for all in our community.

SunRRA is advocating for a Community Reference Group to be formed to work and provide feedback to the Commissioners.  A list of community issues that need revisiting will now be compiled. Now is the time for our community to heal, rebuild and redress all the wrongs that have been inflicted across our municipality.

Congratulations to the residents of Brimbank. Community groups and voices have been communicating the same message – that we deserve better; we refuse to be neglected any longer; and, we demand a better standard of Local Government. Finally, that collective voice has been heard.

We need to learn from communities such as Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat that have regularly turned over local MP’s; kept their electorates marginal, and obtained better outcomes as a result.

When it comes to the 2010 State and Federal Government elections think carefully about what John Brumby and your local MP’s have given you in return for decades of loyalty and vote accordingly.

Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Inc

Sacked Mayor Troy Anatasovski and Sacked Deputy Mayor Tran Siu are at the head of the queue of former Brimbank Councillors intent on making fools of themselves.

Anatasovski, under Local Government Victoria Investigation for alleged breaches of the Local Government Act, claims there was no problem at Brimbank (clearly he didn’t read the report outlining the reasons for his sacking) and claimed residents of Brimbank would cry for their sacked council. The only tears amongst residents were tears of joy.

Also under Local Government Victoria Investigation for alleged breaches of electoral laws – Tran Siu, who at the last council meeting demonstrated a fundamental inability to understand the seperation of business from council matters, has called for the community to stand up for him and his fellow sacked councillors. While he was giving his comments to media calling for council to be reinstated, champagne corks could be heard popping all over the municipality as residents rejoiced in their overdue demise.

Stupid is as stupid does.

contact@respectthewest.net

Breaking News – Brimbank Council Sacked

Municipal Inspector Mr Bill Scales, appointed after the damning Ombudsman’s Report on Brimbank Council, has done what the community expected of him and has recommended Brimbank Council be sacked.

Brumby, who has no choice after giving the council “one more chance,” will Sack Brimbank Council and appoint a Commissioner to take control of the “most rotten borough in Victoria.” Scales found no change in culture, continued ALP Branch interference, breaches of Council code of conduct and a community left to rot.

From “The Age”

Brimbank Council ‘to be sacked’

News that serial international polluter the Huntsman Group are closing down their stench-producing Brooklyn plant at the end of the year, has been met with mixed feelings. Around 300 jobs will be lost in a major blow to unemployment in the west, an area where unemployment is already well above the national average. Concern on jobs is balanced by the positives that a major polluter and ageing infrastucture and associated risk of catasrophe will disappear.

Yarraville’s “On the Nose” group have also reported a small but imortant victory, as reported in “The Star”

Former Tasman Group Services director Pierre Gilbert Cabral has pleaded guilty to leaving waste water containing animal effluent in the company’s stormwater drains, where it could have drained into, and polluted, Stony Creek in November 2006.

No conviction was recorded.

In a hearing earlier this year, the Tasman Group was ordered to pay $200,000 for environmental projects, plus $30,000 in costs to the EPA for similar charges. The EPA took court action after the company failed to comply with a notice.

“EPA can and will prosecute such individuals if its investigations find that an offence has occurred, and this case shows that they may face a substantial financial cost as a result,” EPA spokesman Bruce Dawson said.

Swift Australia bought out the Tasman Group in March 2008.

The fine comes shortly after residents kicked up a stink because a fire at meat processing company Australian Tallow caused an outbreak of foul smells in Brooklyn and Altona North.

Yarraville’s On the Nose Group has previously said fines against offending Brooklyn companies were few and far between.

But at a Brooklyn Community Reference Group meeting earlier this year, the group agreed that the EPA should stop focusing on fines and take an “enforceable undertakings” approach, where offending companies would have a time-line to fix a problem area.

Months on from the decision, On the Nose spokesperson Bruce Light is concerned the new resolution is not making any headway.

“We want to know what enforceable undertakings have been issued,” he said. “The piles of dust have just grown higher, the companies are stinking more and more. We’re fed up. We’ve had a gutful of it.”

The Brooklyn reference group will meet on 16 September to discuss dust issues in the area, and will have a full meeting on 18 November.

When it came to polling day during the 2008 Local Government Elections, aspiring Brimbank Councillor Tran Siu (allegedly) broke the Local Government Act by distributing unregistered how-to-vote cards.

The Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association recorded all registered  how to vote cards for the Brimbank elections, hoping to analyse the use of so-called “dummy” candidates and the flow of their preferences.

Tran Siu, who was subsequently  elected as one of three Harvester ward councillors,  registered three how to vote cards with the Victorian Electoral Commission, a fourth card was (allegedly) used on polling day. Volunteers handing out for Greens candidate Geraldine Brooks (also subsequently elected) noticed that instead of that candidate being placed down the bottom of prospective candidates (as indicated in registered HTV cards), they were strangely listed around the middle of the preferences.  One volunteer witnessed the HTV card in question being distributed from 8 am – 1.10pm.

The complaints alleging distribution of an unregistered how-to-vote card were (along with complaints against Sam David for distributing unauthorised elction material) lodged with the Victorian Electoral Commission who referred the Tran Siu complaint to Local Government Victoria. LGV interviewed one witness, collected copies fo the how-to-vote card from complainants and the commercial printer used by Tran Siu. After some months and several enquiries as to why the investigation was taking so long, two other witnesses were interviewed. After 10 months, the witness who observed the HTV cards being distributed over a period of more than 5 hours, has never been contacted by Local Government Victoria.

So as a year approaches, and no outcome has been reached. Local Government Victoria, a department of the State Labor Government Victoria sees no problem with investigating Labor aligned candidates and refuses to comment on why they are taking so long, or why after 10 months a witness has never been contacted.

Respect the West alleges that this is an open and shut case of the Local Government Act being breached. An outcome could easily have been achieved after 4 weeks. Instead after more than 45 weeks nothing has happened. Cr Tran Siu, part of the ruling bloc of Brimbank Council is to take over the Mayoralty in a few months (having been part of a faction being formed prior to the first council meeting of 2009, and an agreed order of Mayors being created for the 4 year term)

Complaints to the Local Government Minister are referred to, and answered by, the very department against whom the complaint is alleged!

Labor investigating Labor = no accountability.

contact@respectthewest.net

The St Albans community, backed by individuals and community groups across the West and further afield, have united to save Errington Reserve from Brimbank CEO Nick Foa’s attempted land grab.

Brimbank Council, true to form, attempted to split the community by bringing sporting groups “inside the tent” with promises it couldn’t keep – and kept others in the dark.

The community laid bare the ridiculous notion of stealing a comunity park to build municipal offices – a park donatedby the Errington Family  for community recreation.

While the St Albans crew, led by former mayor Jack Sheridan were fighting to save the reserve, the Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association began unravelling the flimsy case for a new “Civic Centre” (read municipal offices). Groups across Brimbank are now calling for the badly managed process to be shelved. More on this to come.

———————————————————————————————–

Civic centre saga: People power saves reserve

From “The Advocate”
by Janae Houghton
1/9/09

PEOPLE power has forced Brimbank Council to abandon plans to redevelop Errington Reserve in St Albans for a proposed new civic centre.

The reserve, which was council chief executive Nick Foa’s preferred location, has been wiped off the list of potential sites after

consultants presented the results of their research into the project at last Tuesday’s council meeting.

The research, which involved extensive consultation with community members at a series of public meetings, showed the community giving a resounding “no” to building on the heritage-sensitive reserve site.

Cr Stuart Miller moved that the council remove Errington Reserve in St Albans from the list of potential sites for a new council headquarters and remove it from the business case so it wouldn’t even be considered.

Cr Margaret Giudice threw her weight behind the motion, supporting Cr Miller’s idea that the reserve be kept for public use for all time, as per the wishes of Alice Errington.

All councillors, except Geraldine Brooks, voted in favour. (Note from RTW, Cr Brooks voted against an ammedment tacked on to this motion, not against dropping Errington Reserve from possible sites).

“The findings are clear,” Cr Miller told the chamber.

“The community don’t want us to consider building on Errington Reserve. We need to listen to the community, so when we do do a business case we are only looking at the sites available.”

The announcement that the reserve was the chief executive’s preferred location was met with a huge public outcry from the St Albans community.

Former Keilor mayor Jack Sheridan was behind a campaign to keep the reserve as it was.

“They [the council] would have been mentally disturbed if they didn’t take it off the list,” Mr Sheridan said.

“It was very badly handled from the start. The first question should have been, do we want a civic centre? Not, we are building a new civic centre; where do you want it?

“I have been so very pleased with this campaign. St Albans people have stuck together and supported our heritage and kept a sporting ground for our children and grandchildren to play on.”

contact@respectthewest.net

Serious cracks are emerging in the post-ombudsman administration of Brimbank Council.

Firstly, 3 Councillors including Mayor Anatasovsxki remain under investigation for alleged breaches of the Local Government Act with no sign if, or when,  their respective investigations will come to a conclusion.

Secondly, Brimbank Council has been caught-out attempting to deceive the community by advertising a “postcard and petition” campaign to “Save Sunvale” as open space for the future. What council neglected to tell the community was that it had actually written to the Government putting the site forward primarily for a social housing development. Residents who signed the petition and mailed the postcards under false pretenses are now up in arms and demanding an explanation.

The whole Sunvale saga reeks of external influence. The letter was written by Brimbank CEO Mick Foa without any evidence that social housing was an appropriate use for the site. No council vote had been taken.  No discussion was had with the commubnity.

After sending the letter, Nick Foa got the newly elected council to “re-affirm” its position on Sunvale. It never had a position to reaffirm! So the questions on Sunvale are:

1. Whose idea was it to build social housing, and did the idea come from the State Government?
2. What evidence is there to suggest this is an appropriate use of land that 50 years ago was community open space?
3. Whose idea was it for Brimbank Council to run a dishonest and deceptive “Save Sunvale” campaign when the community had been running a campaign under the exact same banner for more than 2 years?

Thirdly, and most importantly is the debacle around a proposed Civic Centre for Brimbank. A project apparently designed to solve problems the community wasn’t aware of. A project where alternatives have not been explored. A project where CEO Nick Foa’s team placed a St Albans sports oval on top of the list of preferred sites. A project that was decided without any consultation with the community, despite it footing the bill for at least $30 million and probably $60 million. A project never identified in the long awaited Brimbank Community Plan. A projected where $2 million of residents rates was allocated to a “feasibility study.”

This project has been totally ill-conceived and mismanaged from the word go, and residents are now screaming for someone to be held accountable. We ask;

1. Whose idea was this “Civic Centre and did it come from outside council?”
2. Why wasn’t the community asked?
3. Why haven’t alternatives been explored?
4. Why was the project given priority over other Brimbank Plans that are unfunded?
5. Who is going to take responsibility for this complete disaster and waste of resdents’ money?

Respect the West is compiling a detailed submission to the Ombudsman, calling for further investigation of inept governance and unanswered questions.

It’s time to end the reign of this now notoriously sick and sorry excuse for local government.

contact@respectthewest.net

Much to the dismay of Brimbank Ratepayers – their council is up to its old tricks, spreading misinformation and using ratepayers’ money to run a propaganda campaign.

Respect the West started the SaveSunvale campaign two years ago and registered SaveSunvale.com to keep the community posted on the campaign.

The idea is simple:

• Sunvale Primary School is closing at the end of 2009
• Sunvale was built 50 years ago on Community Open Space
• The Community wants the space back to give Sunshine and surrounding areas a badly needed community park. Even Brimbank Council have decided that Sunshine needs more open space.
• This is a once in a lifetime chance to get a suitable community park

Unfortunately, Brimbank CEO Nick Foa decided that the site should be used for “social housing.” he decided it without council support and without any evidence that this a proper use for the Sunvale site. While the 2008 council election campaigns were underway, Foa wrote the to the State Government and committed to another social housing project for Sunshine.

Brimbank Coucil – led by Foa and Mayor Atanasovski – are now using ratepayers’ money to run a deceptive and dishonest campaign designed to sink the community campaign to save Sunvale. A Media Release claims that Brimbank has been campaigning to “save Sunvale” since November 2008 (when Foa wrote to Government and actually proposed the site be developed for housing) and urges the the community to get behind them by sending postage-paid postcards to the State Government. The truth is that they are attempting to hand the site to developers. How low can you get?

The community has lodged a complaint with the Victorian Ombudsman and is exploring legal action over the latest Brimbank shenanigans. It seems that even with Brimbank Municipal Inspector, Bill Scales watching over their operations, that Brimbank Council just can’t be trusted to do the right thing.

contact@respectthewest.net

Media Release
Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association, Inc

Brimbank City Council is heading down a path that will undoubtedly waste millions of ratepayer dollars. If a new Municipal Office/Civic Centre is the answer, then what exactly was the question?

Brimbank Council’s attempt to pass off spending more than $30 million on new Municipal Offices as a new civic centre for the community only contributes to the distrust ratepayers have of this notorious Council.

Various reasons for a new Municipal Office have been circulated, including maintenance costs of existing building stock, distance travelled between municipal offices by council employees, and a desire to locate council offices in a central area – yet there has been no investigation into these issues nor has a range of options been put forward by council.

“Where is the statistical data, evaluation report or any report at all, what other solutions have been canvassed beside spending millions on a new castle for the royal house of Brimbank?” Darlene Reilly, President of SunRRA asked.

Without any community consultation at all Brimbank CEO Nick Foa has arbitrarily decided that the answer to the question nobody asked, is a $30 million new Municipal Office. And it doesn’t stop there! While the estimate of $30 million has been put forward by Brimbank Council, it is impossible to know the cost because nobody has decided what the building or buildings will comprise of and a site hasn’t been identified. The actual cost of the project, depending on what is included and where it is built, could be $60 or $90 million – or more!! Remember the Sunshine indoor pool development ended up costing twice as much as originally thought.

“Brimbank Council have plucked the figure of $30 million out of thin air there is no basis for this sum, they haven’t designed the building, they haven’t factored in site acquisition costs and as all ratepayers know cost blowouts are a given.” Darlene Reilly said.

“At a time when many council plans and strategies remain unfunded and community groups all across the municipality are calling for important priorities to be addressed why, in this year’s budget, is the council wasting $2 million of ratepayer’s money on such an ill-conceived, incompetently managed project? Why is Brimbank Council refusing to ask us the ratepayers whether we want $30, $60 or $90 million spent on an office tower when the money could go to fund the services, facilities and infrastructure our community is screaming out for?” Sean Spencer, SunRRA committee member added.

First Things First. Our parks, gardens and sporting facilities are in appalling condition. Bicycle and walking paths are almost non-existent. The state of our community infrastructure is well below par.

First Things First. Brimbank Council needs to deliver the most basic of services and facilities that our community expects, improve the health and well being of our residents and provide adequate support for the neediest in our municipality before plunging the municipality into millions of dollars of debt. Now is not the time.

When the people of this community were writing hundreds of letters to the Brumby Government about conflicts of interest and possible corruption at Brimbank Council, the Government refused to listen – Brimbank Council has never listened. Arrogant. Out of touch. Refusing to listen to the community.

Because Brimbank Council has refused to openly discuss key issues including how ratepayer’s dollars should be spent, SunRRA is inviting residents to an opportunity to have their say. Tuesday July 28th, 7pm outside the Brimbank Council Building in Alexandra Ave, Sunshine SunRRA will hold a ‘Alternative Council’ meeting, one, by the people and for the people. Residents from across Brimbank are invited to join us and have their say – rain, hail or shine

contact@respectthewest.net

Congratulations to SKY High, a Parents Lobby Group advocating for a High School to service the Seddon-Kingsville-Yarraville area, on the publication of a report outlining the need for a secondary college in this important region.

You can download their report or visit their website.

Anton Mayer, LeadWest CEO, has called for the Western Suburbs to take a stand against the growing problem of  racist violence and to attend the upcoming Harmony March.

Racist attacks have also been condemmed by Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association (SunRRA) and Respect the West who held the “Enough is Enough Rally” after a violent attack  on an Indian student in the underpass at Sunshine Train Station, and a Candlelight Vigil for Hiep Thi Nguyen whose homicide has not been solved.

From “The Star”

30 June 2009

LEADWEST CEO Anton Mayer has hit out at recent outbreaks of violence in the western suburbs, condemning attacks against international students as “unacceptable.”

In a letter to Star last week, Mr Mayer urged residents in the West to band together to express outrage over racially motivated crimes by joining in a state-wide Harmony Walk next month.

Mr Mayer said he had been dismayed by the increasing levels of anti-social behaviour in the West, much of which has been directed towards vulnerable international students.

He said LeadWest would be working to support any council or community actions to stamp out the problem.“Cracking down on such unacceptable behaviour, particularly with the racial motivation that appears evident, needs to be addressed,” Mr Mayer said.

Mr Mayer said he feared the recent attacks had tarnished the West’s reputation with the international community. The Harmony Walk will take place on Sunday 12 July, beginning at Melbourne’s Carlton Gardens and ending in Federation Square.

http://www.senews.com.au/story/76521

The community backlash over Brimbank Council plans to build a $30 million Civi Centre is the type of response the Brimbank CEO, Nick Foa, hoped for.

Foa has effectively hijacked any debate over the need for such a centre.

The community doesn’t want it.

The community doesn’t want to go further into debt for it, and

The community certainly doesn’t want to give up a footy/cricket ground for it – yet there has been virtually no discussion on whether the centre is a good idea.

Foa has not engaged in any community consultation despite millions of ratepayer funds being diverted into the project. Again we ask, who does the Brimbank CEO work for?

The Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association (SunRRA) have decided to hold their own community consultation in the guise of an “alternate” Council Meeting.

Respect the West will be watching the fallout with interest.

contact@respectthewest.net

GREEN TRANSPORT

What’s our destination and how do we get there?

Join Janet Rice, former Mayor of Maribyrnong, and Colleen Hartland, MLC, for a presentation and discussion on key directions and challenges for sustainable transport in Melbourne.

Tuesday 7 July,
7.00–9.00 pm
Phoenix Youth Centre
72 Buckley St. Footscray (Mel 42 B5)

· Will new operators for our trains and trams make any difference?

· How can we reduce car and truck traffic?

· What’s needed for a safe climate, safe streets and healthy communities

· How you can contribute to the Parliamentary Inquiry into train failures

Enquiries to Ingrid Purnell,  iepurnell@optusnet.com.au