State funding for Newcastle for bus stops

Letter to the Herald, Published 8 August 2008, in response to MCKAY CALLS FOR BUS STOP FUNDING (H,21/7) and PARK DECISION SHORT-SIGHTED (H,26/7)

Jodi McKay (H, 21/7) found it "extraordinary" that Newcastle City Council has to fund the relocation of bus stops because of timetable changes. I agree that it’s "completely unreasonable", but hardly extraordinary, given the State Government’s unilateral decision in 1997 to cost shift the provision of bus shelters onto councils.
To quote from a recent letter from Transport Minister John Watkins to Council: "bus operators ,both State Transit and private operators, are expected to operate commercially and have no ability to fund roadside infrastructure other than their bus stops and timetable displays".
The responsibility for providing bus infrastructure was shifted onto ratepayers to increase public and private bus company profits.
Ms McKay claimed that "If I have to go to the Premier, I will". Given that all councils servicing bus routes bear the responsibility for providing shelters, why would the Premier single out Newcastle for favoured treatment? It would make more sense to ask the Premier to fund construction of and maintain bus shelters,as happened until 1997.
16 months ago, McKay pledged (Newcastle Star, 11/4/07) that "a priority over the next few months would be to work with Newcastle Council to make bus stops cleaner and in better repair". Has she managed to twist the Premier’s arm to provide funding to Council for this?
On another matter, McKay (H, 26/7) criticised Council for providing $200,000 to fund a new playground, shelters and landscaping at Dixon Park Beachfront Reserve. She said she was "flabbergasted" at the "short sighted, piecemeal works".
It’s a modest start, due to funding constraints, to honour a long term commitment. It will fit within any future landscape plans for Dixon Park and her Government’s recent initiative for a Plan of Management for the Stockton to Merewether coastal strip.
I suggest she be positive and ask the Premier for extra funds for more ambitious rehabilitation works at Dixon Park.
Cr Keith Parsons.
1/161 Scott Street, Newcastle, 2300.
0408446022.

Standing for Ward 3 in Newcastle

I am currently a Greens councillor for Ward 3 and hope to represent you again for the 2008-2012 term.

My interests over the past term included stategic heritage,arts and cultural, public art, disability access, Gurakai (Aboriginal), Internal Audit, Coastal and Estuaries Management, Tourism and community forums.

I am extremely concerned about the impact of Ministor Sartor's planning reforms on the rights of citizens and the loss of public accountability and transparency and would advocate to have these laws repealed. I have consistently opposed inappropriate over-development and the loss of traditional suburban character. I will continue to oppose medium-density in flood-prone areas affected by the 2007 storms.

I have been a member of Save Our Rail since the 1980's and will continue to keep the heavy line railway link to Newcastle. I will also campaign for improved bus services and an integrated Lower Hunter transport strategy.

A major priority is the completion of a flood-management plan and Council needs to work with Hunter Water and the state government to urgently improve infrastructure, particularly in the light of irrefutable impacts of climate change.

My Greens colleagues and I will continue to press for the realisation of a Watagan's to Stockton Bight Green Corridor.

We will also campaign to end state government cost-shifting onto local government and to achieve a larger share of Federal tax receipts for local government.

I regard myself as a full-time community representative, and being retired, can continue to devote my 40-plus hours per week commitment to my constituents.

I will also fight to improve the often inadequate heritage management of our city's heritage.