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Well, I didn’t think I’d be agreeing with a public statement made recently by disgraced former city council CEO Rod Oxley, but another year is nearly over and once again Wollongong has remained ‘waffle city’ with talk the key factor and action again finishing way behind the eight ball.
Our so called civic leaders have again let the side down as they waffle on and pat themselves on the back when in reality the city goes nowhere, which is further evidenced lately with the crash of companies related to the construction industry.
Take the long and boring debate about the future of the city mall as just one example, add to that the failure of our city administrators and council ‘lords’ to come up with a solution for the properly planned future for West Dapto, just take a stroll down the main street of Port Kembla and see how it has declined. and on and on you can go.
Oh, of course, I cannot forget to mention the Blue Mile! What a waste of ratepayers’ money, particularly when you consider that those of us who live south or north are probably never going to walk along it.
And if you live at Austinmer, Thirroul or Towradgi why would you want to because the beachfronts in these places leave City Beach for dead, and if you live down Dapto way the sights are better at Port Kembla, which has been recently judged one of the best beaches in NSW.
Then there’s the ongoing problem of finding parking in our city and the much- trumpeted revamp of Crown Central has failed to live up to all the hype. I keep hearing people complain about how dark it is in there.
But when you consider the shocking state of government and lack of progress in NSW, why should we be any different?
One can only hope that 2010 brings some progress, but on this year’s leadership efforts one will want to keep his fingers strongly crossed.
Strange admission
But back to Oxley and a statement in which he admits the rules were often bent to promote development, which is something we all know because the subsequent ICAC hearing also agreed and, as an outcome, Rod and the council of the day were suspended.
I really don’t think the Oxley book is going to tell us anything that most of us didn’t suspect or know about at the time anyway.
Housing plan on the nose
The State Government’s Department of Housing proposal for a massive senior citizens development in Market St has raised the ire of many residents, and quite rightly so when you take a good look behind the scenes at the way they’re going about it.
Council’s Neighbourhood Forum 5 is a key objector, mainly because of the failure of the proposal to meet adequate planning standards.
They are saying what is proposed is not responsible or sustainable, fails to conform to council’s standards, not to mention State Planning standards, discriminates against the vulnerable people it purports to serve and blights adjoining property to an outrageous degree.
And a copy of a paper put together by former city councillor Harold Hanson and the council’s senior planner over many years David Winterbottom is a most damning document.
David’s detailed analysis clearly indicates the government has shown a blatant disregard for virtually every single one of what we expect in normal planning guidelines.
In short the government proposal is to build two eight-storey residential slabs containing some 58 units, and the Forum’s paper is quick to point out that in the majority of cases the government plan manifestly fails the accepted design quality of residential flat development.
Interesting times ahead.
We miss the tourism bus
The NSW tourism awards were announced recently and Wollongong very nearly missed the boat.
Tourism Wollongong won a silver medal for Tourism Marketing, The Lagoon made the finals for restaurants and catering and The Ibis also was considered for an award for Standard Accommodation, while Sky Dive the Beach (Sydney) – or did they really mean Wollongong? – was also a placegetter in the section for Adventure Tourism.
Otherwise we missed out badly.
But when one sees that hideous ANZ Stadium at Homebush get a nomination as a major tourist attraction did the awards really mean anything anyway?
Was Jennie pressured?
The rumours grew stronger once it was suggested the Member for Throsby Jennie George might step down and now it’s a fact, but was she pressured?
When one studies the past history of the Labor factions in this area one cannot help but think the worst, and then when you receive in your mail box Christmas and New Year best wishes from her which says in part, “if I can help you please don’t hesitate to contact my office” and which goes on to advise that she is going to be there early in the new year, it makes me think more about her being ‘pushed out’.
A senior Public Sector Union member, Stephen Jones, is tipped to take her place as the ALP nomination and it seems some party people have been working in the background to get him the nod.
Jennie will be missed for she was an excellent local member and it was my pleasure to consult with her on a couple of matters and despite our obvious political differences she was only to pleased to offer help.
I’m also a bit surprised that budding politician South Coast Labour Council Secretary Arthur Rorris hasn’t put his hand up, but maybe he is sitting in the wings waiting for State Member Noreen Hay to make another slip up?
Libs make changes
On the other side of the political fence, but where the Federal seat of Cunningham is concerned, the local Libs have brought the Corrimal and Illawarra branches somewhat into unison but, from what I saw and heard at a recent meeting to approve this, there was deep concern for the party on the local scene.
Sure, local bred and born Senator Connie Fierranti–Wells will contest the next election and will probably do well, but when it comes to finding candidates for state seats and the like the cupboard seems bare.
Corrimal branch stalwart Marlene Scott was elected chair of the new Federal Electorate of Cunningham group.
A good one
On the subject of the Libs, I heard a good one the other day that now Tony Abbott holds the reins in Canberra the party has been taken over by the church.
It was suggested it is now run by an ‘abbott’ and a ‘bishop’. Perhaps better than an ‘abottt’ and ‘Costello’!
Will he never go away?
Wendell Sailor might have announced his retirement from the NRL but it doesn’t seem to stop his face and body turning up in the newspapers, particularly our local daily, which seems fascinated by him.
What a pity, however, he was hardly noticeable when the Dragons lost that all important final game.
Give us a break and start to highlight others who will still be around next season.
All the best
This is it for 2009 and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a promising New Year.
I won’t say prosperous because the signs are there we are going to be paying more for gas, water, electricity, using the phone and probably our rates and food requirements. | 
Thanks John again a very clear (if disturbing!) overview of 09. Yes Rodney simply reinforces what everyone knew or thought - what was his point! CHEERS FOR THE SEASON ALL.
by IAN DOUGLAS
08 Dec 09 15:35