Wollongong City Council zeroes in on corruption
BY LAUREL-LEE RODERICK
25 Nov, 2009 Illawarra Mercury

Detailed anti-corruption policies being adopted within Wollongong City Council will not be released to the public as they could be viewed as a “how to guide” on corruption.

Council administrators last night adopted a new Prevention of Fraud and Corrupt Conduct Policy.

…

Mr McGregor said several recommendations by the Independent Commission Against Corruption had been adopted.

full story:
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/wollongong-city-council-zeroes-in-on-corruption/1687211.aspx

From UOW Website:

High-profile speakers to address issues of public concern

Some well-known Australian identities will take part in a summer session program at the University of Wollongong over December and January – a program which has never been offered before at any of the country’s universities.

UOW’s Faculty of Arts today announced a new summer session subject of “Politics, the Community and the Common Good”.

Among the impressive line up of speakers participating are:

• • Winner of a 2009 national award for excellence in teaching from UOW’s School of History and Politics, Dr Glenn Mitchell

  • Honorary Professorial Fellow of the University, Emeritus Professor Stephen Hill, who is former Regional Director and Ambassador of the UN organisation, UNESCO. He promoted community empowerment in UN initiatives in Asia and the Pacific during the 1990s and 2000s.

• Former High Court Justice Michael Kirby who is a respected international jurist and advocate for human rights

• Businessman, philanthropist and adventurer, Dick Smith, who is founder of Dick Smith Electronics, Dick Smith Foods, Australian Geographic and is credited as the first man to fly solo around the world via the Poles and to the North Pole by helicopter. He was Australian of the Year (1986)

• Former Independent Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly, Jaycees Australia’s Outstanding Young Man of the Year (1970), Australia’s ‘National Living Treasure’ (1998), legendary anti-corruption fighter and a Fellow of the University – John Hatton

• CEO of St Vincent’s de Paul, John Falzon

• Former Chairperson of the NSW Corrective Services Commission and famed promoter of equity, Professor Tony Vinson

“The program will encourage people who are not university students to enrol and become part of a vibrant and vigorous series of lectures and debates,” according to subject co-ordinator, Dr Glenn Mitchell, who introduced the initiative.

Dr Mitchell said the program would reinforce the University’s credentials and civic mission as an agency for positive community engagement.

“It will certainly get the public involved in thinking about, and debating, issues of public concern keeping in mind of course the sacking of two local councils,” he said.

Details for those wishing to take part in the program: The course is available to UOW students for academic credit. It is also available to the wider community. There are limited places available and anyone interested in enrolling should contact the Arts Central Office on 4221 5328 before Monday 30 November, and an enrolment package will be sent.

——–

(UoW confirm course is free to Australian Citizens, and they confirm also to Permanent Residents. Enrollments require proof for both. Bruce)

Department of Climate Change report

“Climate Change Risks to Australia’s Coasts”

http://www.climatechange.gov.au/en/publications/coastline/climate-change-risks-to-australias-coasts.aspx

Note – there is no audio, just visuals.

If video does not load click on text below:

Headlands Hotel – now you see it, now you …

NEW! See also website http://overdevelopment.isnot.gd/headies/

Alice Cartan, Convenor for NF3, has confirmed that the Headlands Hotel demolition/development is on the agenda for Neighbourhood Forum 3, which meets on Tuesday 17 November at the new Thirroul Community Centre.

Alice has also confirmed that people from the Neighbourhood Forum 2 area are welcome to attend and to vote on the Headlands Hotel matter. There will be other items on the agenda.

7.30pm Tuesday 17^th November

Black Diamond Room

Thirroul Library/Community Centre

It is not clear from the map of Neighbourhood Forum areas exactly where the Headlands Hotel is located – on the edge of the area’s between NF2 and NF3. It is probably just inside the NF3 area, but will impact on people in both areas.

NF3, in conjunction with the acting NF2 Convenor, has opted for a sensible “both-and”  approach for matters which impact on wider areas. This is especially important as NF2 has already had its final forum for the year, and the closing date for the Headland’s Hotel matter is December 4.

Wollongong City Council Community engagement staff have been unable to provide any information about where this boundary is in terms of streets and seem at a complete loss as to such matters. They could, at least, contact their own mapping section seeking clarification about the basis for the boundary map.

The  map appears to be that for the former WCC Neighbourhood Committees, which were defined in terms of Local Urban Units (no more than three WCC NCs per ward, each mutually exclusive).

The question of the boundaries of NF2 will be part of the external review of Council’s community engagement process due in February- March 2010.

NF4 media release

Concerted final submissions from Neighbourhood Forum #4 [NF4] members swayed a majority of an independent planning panel to reject an overdevelopment of a key site in Corrimal. The rejected plan would have overwhelmed the village character and destroyed iconic views of the escarpment from the centre of Corrimal.

NF4 on behalf of the residents of Corrimal and northern suburbs welcomes the decision by the Independent Hearing Advisory Panel [IHAP] to defer the ‘monolithic’ retail development by VALAD in the Corrimal town centre.

The majority report said the site “offers an unexpected opportunity for a ‘state of the art’ retail complex which responds to contemporary design ideals related to sustainability, village character and community aspirations”. The deferral is to allow the developer to “submit amended plans to address these concerns and to respond to the Corrimal Revitalisation Strategy”.

Neighbourhood Forum 4 Convenor, Val Hussain expresses her appreciation to the Corrimal and surrounding suburbs community for their strong and considered support.

She said; “The community recognises the need for modern retail development that is consistent with sustainability and the iconic village green town centre that will see Corrimal uniquely placed as an attraction for shoppers, employment, entertainment, and tourists. We endorse IHAP’s comment on this point in particular.

We are pleased to read that IHAP has requested further traffic modelling. Requests from the community for a traffic master plan have been on the table for a number of years. Serious concerns for pedestrian safety and avoiding traffic gridlock will now be alleviated by this official requirement for traffic modelling.”

NF4 is encouraged that IHAP has identified the need for this VALAD development to be integrated into the Corrimal Town Centre Revitalisation Strategy. The Corrimal community had also made this same request to Council some eighteen months ago, but to no avail.

The Convenor went on to say “this IHAP decision identifies the urgent need for developers and council to engage the community interactively at an early stage of any development. Such participation will ensure profitable, compatible, creative and sustainable outcomes.

We are particularly pleased and excited that IHAP recognised the iconic escarpment views as an integral part of the Corrimal town centre.”

“NF4 calls on Council to form a working group of planners, residents, retailers, developers, and other stakeholders to advance the Town Centre Revitalisation Strategy, oversee a traffic master plan, and see established a successful iconic green village that is attractive and innovative in Wollongong.” Ms. Hussain said.

Headlands Hotel, Yuruga Street, Austinmer 2009/1313

Lots 87-95 DP 9233

Applicant: Weriton Finance Pty Ltd

Proposed Dev: Demolition of hotel and carpark, 8 lot subdivision and associated works

Dev. Departures No

Closing Date 4 December 2009

These proposals, including any accompanying plans and documents, may be inspected during normal office hours on the GROUND FLOOR, COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 41 BURELLI STREET, WOLLONGONG up to 5.00pm on the dates listed.

Lodgement Date 21/10/2009

Application Number DA-2009/1315

Proposal Spa resort comprising serviced apartment and associated facilities, spa therapy rooms, pools, dining room, bar, function room and associated carpark, landscaping and site works

See also 7 separate DA ‘s (DA 2009/316-32) for dwelling houses. at http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/planning/exhibition.asp

Name Details Applicant Weriton Finance Pty Ltd

Property Details Address eadlands Hotel, Yuruga Street, AUSTINMER NSW 2515

Exhibition Period  Start Date 20/10/2009  Closing Date 4/12/2009

Any person may, before the closing date shown above, make a submission either for or against the proposed development. Where a submission is made by way of objection, the grounds of objection are required to be specified in the submission. If you choose to make a submission to Council, your submission, including the personal information you include in your submission, will be made available for public inspection in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993.

email a submission to council@wollongong.nsw.gov.au; krobinson@wollongong.nsw.gov.au

Subject:  Application Number DA-2009/1315, Proposal Spa resort comprising serviced apartment and associated facilities, spa therapy rooms, pools, dining room, bar, function room and associated carpark, landscaping and site works

(Note – this does not cover the seven separate dwellings which may require separate submissions.)

“The Stench In This Parliament”

Written by Ruth Richmond MA, MCA is the authorized biography of former Independent corruption fighter John Hatton.

People in the community can use the book as a rallying call to move the locus of power back to the community. The book can be used to empower communities and inspire change, and to examine’

To Buy the Book

Mrs Ruth Richmond

14 McGrath Street

Mulwala NSW 2647

Telephone: 0448064446

Email: rbooks@fastrac.net.au

http://stenchinthisparliament.blogspot.com/

From the Greens:

“The NSW Greens have called for reform of the electoral system that they claim led to the sacking of both Wollongong and Shellharbour Councils.

In the past year and a half both Wollongong and Shellharbour Councils have been sacked by the NSW Government after inquires into their performance. Wollongong was found to be subject to systemic corruption, while a Department of Local Government Inquiry found Shellharbour to be dysfunctional.

‘We are calling for an end to the notorious two member Ward system which, via a peculiarity of the Local Government Act, has the effect of ensuring single party representation in wards. Most other local government areas enjoy the more democratic proportional representation system,’ said Sylvia Hale Greens spokesperson for Local Government.

“Our State Delegates Council held in Wollongong last weekend was strongly of the view that the two person electoral system was a significant contributor to the corruption of Wollongong City Council, and The Greens believe that only a more democratic system will allow the community’s voice to be heard.

“The Commissioner for the Shellharbour inquiry has said that ‘the current ward structure (6×2) is an impediment to good governance’, said Ms Hale.

The Commissioner has recommended that Shellharbour be restructured to 3 wards of 3 Councillors, and the State Government endorsed the recommendation.

“We are now waiting for this change to be implemented in time for the next Council elections.’

The Illawarra Greens have developed a proposal for Wollongong Council, which divides the city into 4 wards of 3 councillors. ‘We are also repeating our urgent call for this change to Wollongong’s structure to be put into place before the next Council elections’, said Ms Hale.” “It’s time that the NSW Government treated the Illawarra equally to the rest of NSW and brings about the democratic restructure of the two Illawarra local government areas.

“People of the Illawarra deserve a say in their local Council and it is only through democratic reform that allows broader representation of the community in Council that people of the Illawarra be able to eliminate the corrupting influences in their local communities”, said Ms Hale. “