ACT TEAM 1983 WOLLONGONG COUNCIL ELECTION POLICY THEMES

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JOB GENERATION:

The aim of the team is to channel local Government. State and Federal monies into projects that will provide jobs for the future generation of kids not just provide immediate jobs for those unfortunate to be unemployed. Some of these projects would be

• the purchasing by Council of the Thirroul R.S.L. building to develop a Community Centre to include such things a& a reference-fiction library, a C.Y.S.S. Office a gymnasium, meeting rooms, a community referral centre, facilities for youth leisure activities and facilities for Service Clubs.
• the reconstruction of the railway bridge at Thirroul to make it safe for school children to use the footpath.
• the building and staffing of Council owned and operated nursing homes in the Northern Suburbs.
• the development of an integrated public transport system within the City of Wollongong in conjunction with the electrification of the Illawarra line. This would mean the upgrading of the present railway stations, an integrated Council owned bus service to each station and the provision of ample car parking space at each station. Community services, child care centres and entertainment facilities will be part of the route of the proposed Council bus service.
• the construction of Council owned child care centres in the Northern Suburbs.
• the upgrading of Bulli and Coledale camping areas
• the speeding up of the electrification of the rail line to Port Kembla.
• the upgrading of Tallawarra Power Station to retain jobs at the station and in the coal mining industry.

The ACT group believes Council should expand the pressent Community Employment Programme to provide permanent jobs rather than short term band aid projects. Such projects should be undertaken by Council on advice from Neighbourhood Advisory Groups representative of all residents including the unemployed.

DEVELOPMENT:

The team recognises the need for development. Major tourist, retail, industrial and high density housing developments must reflect the wishes of the existing community and its future nEeds. The broad community must be inVolved at each stage in thc decision making process of development applications. e.g. elected representative working parties. New developments both in the city and in Ward 1 must take into account

• environmental impact studies done by independent authorities but funded by the developer.
• impact on existing residents and retailers
• the effect on long term employment in the area.

The Headlands and Mount Panorama Hotel complexes and high rise in Ward 1 will be assessed against these criteria.

The team is in favour of the concept of a mall development in Crown Street. However, we believe that the present plan should be re-evaluated because

• the Burelli Street Rest Park, the Baby Health Centre and the Wollongong City Library will be wiped out.
• the overall effect on the other small businesses has not been fully analysed.
• the resulting traffic and parking chaos needs further investigation.
• the myth that the Kern proposal will stop escape spending from the Central Business District has not been dispelled.

TRAFFIC AND ROADS :

The team will work for the development of a light traffic road between Bulli and Thirroul and the completion of the Northern Distributor to the foot of Bulli pass. We will press for the upgrading of Lawrence Hargrave Drive north of Austinmer to allow safe travel for residents. The team will insist upon Council drawing up a list of priority areas for kerb and guttering in Ward 1. This list to be available for public scrutiny.

RATES AND REVENUE:

The team will oppose residential rate increases, press for the most equitable rating system and especially examine rate payment problems being faced by unemployed rate payers. We will demand a massive injection of funds into local government from Federal and State sources to provide the amenities needed. Increased revenue will be gained by:

• the rating of all Federal and State Government properties e.g. office blocks, Police Stations and residences, schools etc.
• creating a higher differential for rates paid by large commercial and industrial properties particularly large areas of heavy industrial land currently given concessions not available to residential properties.
• working for a far greater percentage return from Federal income tax collection into local government.
• examining the potential for Council embarking on its own commercial enterprises eg. Council bus service, hire of Council's computing and printing facilities to small business, Council owned caravan and camping grounds.

OPEN COUNCIL:

The team will demand the early involvement of all citizens affected by proposed Council works and major developments. Although this has been policy of party and independent groups it has not eventuated. It is necessary to formally establish regular consultative structures in each community within the ward. As a long term aim we will establish Neighbourhood Advisory Groups, representative of all residents within that neighbourhood.

All council meetings must be open to the public at all times with no exception of confidential, personal staffing matters e.g. disciplinary action. The team feels it is essential that the community has access to documentation and procedures on which council decisions are based.

HOUSING:

Local government should be involved in the provision of housing as it is the level of government most in tune with local needs. The team will work for:

• expanded funding for the Community Housing Trust as a permanent source of low cost housing.
• the development of the Youth Accommodation for homeless young people.
• the retention of Fairy Meadow Hostel for low cost housing.
• a housing information service which would include advice on home loan schemes, subsidies, tenant's advice, rental and mortgage assistance and a contact point for emergency accommodation.
• a tenant's rights programme for council properties including security of tenure, maintenance etc.
• funding for halfway houses and other social welfare services
• retirement housing developments.

The Active Community Team recognises that the tourist industry can contribute to creating some employment opportunities in the region.

It is a complete misunderstanding of the situation to assume that tourism will be the answer, to the region's unemployment problems. tourist developments will be fully supported by the ACT group but only where they improve amenities in the region and not if they destroy the standard of life of the citizens of Wollongong.

The development of tourist facilities must complement the area and proceed at a rate and in accordance with the guidelines of the team's development policy. Community endorsement of tourist projects must be an integral part of all tourist projects. examples of the sorts of tourist attractions that we believe to be viable and in the best interests of the ward and city are,

• upgrading of existing camping facilities at Bulli and Coledale.
• construction of a major new holiday park(camping, self contained motel style units) in the East Woonona-Bellambi area.
• construction of a native forest style camping area behind the A.I.R. brickyards at Thirroul's South Beach. This will involve the landscaping of the area with native trees, the provision of unobtrusive amenities and separate camp sites.
• restoration of disused or mines with a short life span for tourist visits
• passive recreational facilities in the escarpment forests.
• medium density accommodation in community endorsed areas
• extending the cycleway from Bellambi to north of Thirroul.
• the location of the new international airport at Wilton provided environmental safeguards are met and flight paths do not impinge on residential areas
• the advertising of the Leisure Coast's facilities in Sydney's Hotels
• Council owned tourist ventures should be managed by community trusts set up for that purpose.

COMMUNITY SERVICES:

The team believes the Community Services Division of Counci1 should be involved in policy development at all levels and all departments. This will allow assessment of needs and proper response to those needs all Council matters. With the establishment of Neighbourhood Advisory Groups the Officers of the division will play an important role in ensuring the development of the community to its full potential. The team will recommend the addition of a Women's Officer to the Community Services Division. This officer will co-ordinate existing services and establish new ones according to local needs.

We will insist on the immediate provision of childcare for all who require it. Services for older people must include Council owned nursing homes in Ward 1 and proper support systems for those who elect to remain in their homes.

We will work to upgrade local sporting' facilities to provide for the activities of all residents particularly girls and women.

The team will call for the immediate re-establishment of the Schools Library Resources Centre as part of the Wollongong City Library. The ACT group will support:

• the continuing financial commitment of Wollongong City Council to the Illawarra Heritage Environment Committee
• the continual development of the Wollongong Botanical Gardens.
• the extension of Wollongong Parks and Gardens
• the Performing Arts Centre. Local community performing arts groups should be consulted on design and use of the proposed centre.

ELECTRICITY CHARGES:

It is not generally known by residents that Wollongong City Council can influence their electricity charges. ACT will work to have this power used to deliver to consumers the cheapest possible electricity tariffs. We will:

• abolish the present standing charge
• provide rate concessions for the installation of solar powered units and home insulation in the year of installation.
• ensure that solar heating units are available on 12 month interest free terms at I.C.C. shops.
• establish an energy audit scheme to advise homeowners on efficient energy use, using and training those currently unemployed to carry out this service.

VOTE 1. DAVE MARTIN

DAVE IS A SCHOOL TEACHER AT AUSTINMER PRIMARY SCHOOL. HE IS MARRIED WITH TWO CHILDREN AGED 3 AND 1. HE LIVES AT WOONONA AND HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. HE IS A HIGHLY REPECTED MEMBER OF THE WOONONA~-BULLI AREA. HE IS A UNIVERSITY GRADUATE IN EDUCATION AND POLITICS AND IS VERY MUCH AWARE OF THE COMMUNITY'S WISHES.

VOTE 2. JELLY OSBORNE

JELLY IS A QUALIFIED NURSING SISTER WORKING AT COLEDALE HOSPITAL. HER NURSING BRINGS HER IN CONTACT WITH THE COMMUNITY DAILY AND SHE IS AWARE OF THE NEEDS OF ORDINARY PEOPLE. SHE HAS ALSO WORKED WITH RETARDED CHIlDREN AT ILLAWARRA CRIPPLED CHILDREN'S HOME. SHE IS MARRIED WITH TWO CHILDREN AGED 11 AND 8. SHE LIVES IN THIRROUL AND IS WILL RESPECTED IN THAT COMMUNITY.

VOTE 3. MALCOLM BAILEY

MALCOLM IS A CIVIL ENGINEER WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AT PORT KEMBLA. HE IS PRESIDENT OF THE AUSTINMER PARENTS AND CITIZENS ASSOCIATION, SECRETARY OF THE ILLAWARRA STATE RECREATION AREA TRUST AND TREASURER OF THE AUSTINMER OTTERS SWIMMING CLUB. HE IS MARRIED WITH 3 CHILDREN AGED 17,14 AND 8. HE IS EXTREMELY ACTIVE IN THE AUSTINMER COMMUNITY AND IS HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM BY THE RESIDENTS THERE.

DONATIONS TO D.METCALF, LOT 92 HIGHLANDS PARADE, BULLI, 2516

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