The general message to Council from the Kings Cross community last night was: 'If Fitzroy Gardens ain't broke, don't fix it' and: 'no more grey paving'.
But residents attending the first public consultation on the proposed upgrade of the park around the iconic El Alamein Fountain were told a $6 million budget had already been allocated and we were introduced to consultants who had already been appointed to run the design process.
Yet we were repeatedly told that 'we were driving this'.
If that was true, the consultation would have occurred much earlier to ascertain whether Kings Cross even needed another upgrade. We might, for instance, have preferred that our defunded arts festival was resurrected and who knows what else community members might think up.
This goes to the heart of the problem with this council: THEY drive the agenda and always will until a more democratic structure is put in place – for instance precinct committees with the power to set agendas and even control some budget. It happens in other world cities and it is the only way that Clover Moore's slogan of 'city of villages' will ever mean anything, and the only way Sydney will ever become truly diverse and interesting.
Council had decided on the 'post-it note' process whereby people write on sticky notes and post them on the wall. Quickly the section for 'what we liked' about Fitzroy Gardens overflowed. The 'dislike' section was much less full but included some pretty funny notes such one complaining about the noise from the El Alamein Fountain and asking that it be turned off at night. (This would only make other noise seem louder once the 'white noise' masking from the fountain stopped but hey, such is democracy!)
This type of consultation also suppresses speakers from the public who might sway the meeting by speaking to the whole room or even, god forbid, put a motion from the floor.
Yes, better public toilets are needed and the paving could be better maintained. Some want the carpark under nearby Lawrence Hargeaves Reserve to be upgraded (just as oil starts running out!). Still, $6 million could do so much spent otherwise.
But gee, Council's Upgrade Dept needs constant feeding or they'd all be out of a job. Next on the hit list is Forbes St Woolloomooloo, another place guilty of being paved with the heretical terracotta. God it's boring fighting this relentless top-down control.
9 comments:
I feel an election coming on.
Oh well we do have the village idiot for Lord Mayor.
'Village' maybe but 'idiot' she ain't. Yes, Clover has retained Frank Sartor's uber-control method of governing but she is starting to bring the NSW mafia -- oops I mean Labor Government – to heel in the larger political sphere. So many photos recently of Clover with a Labor politician... who would have thought.
Is it true that Clover is planning a huge statue of herself at Queens Square ?
I have to agree with the earlier comment about her being an idiot. As a resident since the late 1970's. I have witnessed the areas decline. In particular since the 1986 when Clover was elected as the member.
It was a bustling fun area suitable for singles and families alike. In spite of many representations to her for her to do something she did nothing.
Unfortunately this is reflected in Redfern as well. Ask the locals. The spin she puts out shows her up for what she is. A real lightweight who manages to con the public all the time.
Just read Hansard ( her speeches ) to see where she stand on most issues. A real shame .
Fortunately one day when she retires someone will represent us and the electorate will discover how hopeless she really was.
"So many photos recently of Clover with a Labor politician... who would have thought."
Yep an idiot.
Yeahbut... if the Libs were in power she would be playing the same game with them. Unfortunately the state controls roads & public transport etc so for the city to make progress they have to work together. Clover is using the might of the city's budget and PR capability to embarrass the government into changing direction, if ever so slightly.
It's clever use of the position.
When Clover ran for Lord Mayor the first time she put in her application as candidate that she once held the balance of power in the NSW Parliament.
In that document in her own hand she stated that because of her, NSW had a triple A credit rating. It further shows delusion as well.
Maybe a large bronze statue outside Town Hall as well.
When Clover ran for Lord Mayor the first time she put in her application as candidate that she once held the balance of power in the NSW Parliament.
In that document in her own hand she stated that because of her, NSW had a triple A credit rating. It also shows delusion. .
Maybe a large bronze statue outside Town Hall as well.
Of course it has been well publicised that she employs 24 media staff. Up from 3 from the previous incumbent.
Yeah , yeah the city is so much bigger. She needs all that publicity ?
Received a council brochure. Had 11 photos of Clover inside.
So much for her fake posturing about saving a tree.
Post a Comment