Post by Flash on Sept 29, 2007 3:36:38 GMT -5
THIS WEEK: at
* WWW.CLOVERMOORE.COM
* Small Bars Bill Introduced
* Learning from Berlin
* Live Laneways for Art & About
* Human Rights Protection for NSW
* Join in National Walk to Work Day
* Extended Daylight Saving
* Event Alert, web links & eNews subscription
======================================================================
SMALL BARS BILL INTRODUCED
My Liquor Amendment (Small Bars and Restaurants) Bill, which I
introduced in Parliament yesterday, aims to provide greater diversity
and choice in our night economy and culture, with less impact on
neighbourhood amenity.
I was able to introduce my bill because opposition members agreed to
postpone their speeches in support of their private members bills.
This unprecedented and historic move was in response to the very
strong community support for my bill.
This support has included letters and emails from across Sydney and
NSW, letters published in Sydney newspapers, comments logged on
newspaper websites, and calls for liquor reform from the Sydney
Chamber of Commerce, the Property Council, leading restaurateurs and
the former Prime Minister Paul Keating. Two web-based Facebook groups,
Sydney Hole in the Wall (Bar) Appreciation Society and We Want Funky
Little Pubs have combined to set up Raise the Bar to campaign for
change, and has already attracted over 20,000 members.
My Bill removes key obstacles to more flexible liquor licensing by
creating a new "small bar" licence; and abolishing the requirement for
restaurants to pay $5,000 to $15,000 for a "dine-or-drink"
authority to serve alcohol without meals.
At present, entrepreneurs wanting to open small bars must apply for
an hotelier's licence. In addition to the $2,000 licence fee,
applicants must lodge a social impact assessment together with a fee
of up to $6,600. Preparing the social impact assessment may cost
$50,000 or more in legal fees. This complex and costly process results
in rights and benefits, such as large premises, gaming machines, and
the right to sell take away liquor, which are not needed or wanted in
small bars.
"Small Bar" licences will be limited to premises catering for 120
patrons or less and will permit the sale of alcohol for consumption on
the premises. While serving alcohol must be predominant activity,
small bars may also serve food and/or provide entertainment such as
jazz or cabaret. They will not be permitted to have gaming machines or
sell take away liquor.
Standard trading hours for small bars will be 7.00am to 11.00pm for
Mondays to Thursdays; from 7.00am to 1.00am the next day for Fridays
and Saturdays and 10am to 11pm. Trading will be restricted to noon to
10.00pm on Christmas Day and Good Friday, and on New Years Eve they
may continue trading until 2.00am the next day. Small bars may apply
to the Licensing Court for an extension of trading hours, but the
Court must be satisfied that this would not result in the frequent
undue disturbance of the neighbourhood.
The licence fee will be $500, identical to licence fees
for restaurants, theatres, and public halls and the licence approval
process will be the similar to the process for a restaurant licence.
Social impact assessments will not be required, just as they are not
required for nightclubs or low impact premises such as restaurants and
theatre bars. Small bars will require development approval from the
local council. This will ensure a more open, accountable, independent
and comprehensive process for ensuring that residents' concerns are
heard and amenity impacts are fully addressed. Within the City of
Sydney local government area DAs for small bars would be assessed in
the context of our Late Night Trading Premises Development Control
Plan, which aims to manage the impacts of late night premises on
neighbourhood amenity, while encouraging vibrancy and diversity.
The abolition of the dine-or-drink authority will remove a major
barrier to restaurants serving alcohol without meals. Only restaurants
with a dine-or-drink authority (which can cost from $5,000 to $15,000)
may serve alcohol without meals, and this is limited to a maximum of
30% of patrons.
My bill will enable all restaurants to serve alcohol without meals to
all patrons, provided its predominant activity is the preparation and
serving of meals for consumption on the premises, and tables and
chairs are available for at least 70% of patrons at all times.
My bill is only a first step in achieving the major reforms needed in
this highly complex area. Applicants for many types of licences have
told me that the process of applying for a licence is expensive and
inhibitive. There are also concerns that this process does not
adequately deal with alcohol abuse or the impacts of licensed premises
on residential amenity. The Police argue that existing legislation
does not give them the powers they need to enforce conditions of
licences to reduce impacts from venues. Current fines of $5,000 or
$10,000 do not deter large venues who can cause serious problems for
police and distress for neighbouring residents.
If the Government doesn't introduce long awaited changes, I am
considering a second stage of reform involving a different liquor
licensing process in line with other states.
The community believes that current liquor licensing laws fail to
allow the diversity in late night trading that consumers demand and
they want Parliament to pass my bill.
Information
* My speech in Parliament: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/
parlment/hansart.nsf/V3HHBSpeaker?open&vwCat=Moore,+Ms+Clover
* Liquor Amendment (Small Bars and Restaurants) Bill:
www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/nswbills.nsf/0/
581DFCE6BC307976CA2573610020BC93
* Raise the Bar: www.raisethebar.org.au
======================================================================
LEARNING FROM BERLIN
Next Thursday evening's City Talk at the City Recital Hall, Angel
Place has the theme “Liquid Cities: Berlin and Sydney in
Conversation”
and will focus on the role of culture in transforming cities.
Adrienne Goehler, Berlin's former Senator for Arts and Science, will
speak about Berlin's transformation into the cultural hub of central
Europe since the unification of Germany in 1990 and explore why Berlin
now attracts creative minds and talents.
After serving as a Deputy in the Hamburg Parliament, Ms Goehler
headed the academy of fine arts in Hamburg for 12 years and is
currently curator of the Berlin Cultural Fund. She has recently
published Liquifications: Paths and Detours to a Cultural Economy.
Following her speech, Robert Whitehead, Director of Marketing and
Newspaper Sales for the Sydney Morning Herald and former
Goethe-Institut Scholarship Student and Amrita Cheema, SBS presenter
and journalist and former Berlin resident, will respond.
I look forward to learning about Berlin's transformation and the
lessons it may have for Sydney.
Information
* CityTalks: Liquid Cities - Berlin and Sydney in Conversation,
Thursday 4 October, 6:30pm to 8.00pm City Recital Hall, Angel Place.
* Bookings: While this is a free event booking is essential. To book
phone 8256 2222 or visit the website www.cityrecitalhall.com
======================================================================
LIVE LANEWAYS FOR ART & ABOUT
Three of the City's laneways will be transformed for this year's Art
& About visual arts festival which I will launch at Customs House
Square next Friday, 5 October.
Albion Lane, between George and Kent Streets, will become an open air
art gallery, accessible 24 hours a day, with works by 33 emerging and
established local artists. An outdoor lounge bar with free live bands
will be created in Bulletin Place near Circular Quay for five nights
between 6 and 13 October. Temperance Lane, off George Street between
Market and King Streets, will be reinvigorated with a lighting system
to create a multi-coloured kaleidoscope.
The transformation of the three lanes will launch the City's Live
Laneways project, by demonstrating what can be done to bring our
laneways to life through public art, events and new businesses such as
cafes and bars. The City has audited 47 lanes within the CBD for
possible revitalization and priority lanes have been included in the
pedestrian study being conducted by Gehl Architects. We are committed
to revitalising our laneways in partnership with the business and art
communities as part of our Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision.
Art & About, with its aim of bringing art outdoors to stimulate,
engage and entertain, is an ideal opportunity to showcase these
possibilities.
The Festival runs for three weeks with exhibitions and events on the
streets, in public spaces and galleries across the City. Highlights
include:
* Art & About @ Circular Quay: An eclectic range of projections and
playful installations, exhibitions and events;
* Child's Eye 2030: Between 5 and 21 October, illustrations and
poetry depicting children's visions of life in 2030 will be projected
in giant form onto the wall of the AMP Building at Circular Quay from
6pm to midnight
* Open Gallery: Artworks by contemporary Australian and international
artists displayed throughout the city on banner poles; and
* Sydney Life Photography Exhibition: Twenty-six large scale images
depicting the people, landscapes and quirks of Sydney life displayed
along the central walkway of Hyde Park North.
I invite you to join me at 6pm in Customs House Square, Circular Quay
for the launch of Art & About and the first showing of Child's Eye
2030 and encourage you to enjoy the many events and exhibitions during
the festival.
Information
* www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/artandabout
======================================================================
HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION FOR NSW
Australia is the only democratic nation in the world without a legal
human rights instrument. Although human rights atrocities are not
common, there is a growing feeling that civil rights are being eroded,
particularly in response to anti-terrorism laws and the APEC summit.
In Parliament I promoted the NSW Charter Group's call for public
consultation like Victoria and the ACT did before developing Human
Rights Charters, to determine what we consider are our basic human
rights.
A Charter could provide Parliament with a tool to review the impact
of proposed legislation on human rights, ensuring informed decisions.
Unlike an American Bill of Rights, which is entrenched in the
constitution, Parliament could amend the Charter as community values
change.
As the representative of a socially and culturally diverse inner city
electorate, I have long worked to protect human rights, including the
rights of Indigenous and gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual
citizens. The City is examining the development of a Charter of Human
Rights to complement our City's Social Policy. Such a Charter would be
developed through community consultation and could include recognition
of Indigenous Australians, valuing all people, consultation and
participation, diversity, social development, equitable access for
everyone, and fair and integrated decisions.
The threat of terrorism has resulted in the abandonment of a number
of fundamental principles in the name of protecting our safety.
Without a human rights legal instrument there is no guarantee that
other rights will not be traded in the name of security. I called on
the NSW Government to grasp the opportunity to assess community
support for a Charter of Human Rights.3
======================================================================
JOIN IN NATIONAL WALK TO WORK DAY
I encourage you to take part in National Walk to Work Day next
Friday, 5 October.
National Walk to Work Day aims to promote regular walking as a
healthy activity, reduce reliance on private motor vehicles, improve
air quality by reducing unnecessary vehicle emissions and promote and
improve the use of public transport.
Registration costs $20. By registering you will be supporting the
Heart Foundation, Cancer Council of Australia, Diabetes Australia and
the Australian Conservation Foundation, four charities which promote
regular walking as a great way to Better Health and Cleaner Air.
The City is committed to making Sydney pedestrian friendly and we
have engaged Gehl Architects to conduct a “Public Spaces and Public
Life” survey in Sydney as part of our Sustainable Sydney 2030
project.
Headed by Danish expert Professor Jan Gehl, the Gehl Architects team
have been critically analysing our inner city streets and public
spaces, to identify their problems and potential. They are surveying
pedestrian activity and profiling how we use spaces in both summer and
winter to prepare recommendations for improvement.
At a recent booked out City Talk, Professor Gehl shared his
observations on ways we can make Sydney a pedestrian city and discuss
how his research on has been applied successfully in cities across
Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Australia. His report
will be completed at the end of the year.
Information
* National Walk to Work Day registration: www.walk.com.au
* Podcast of Professor Gehl's City Talk: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/
podcasts/default.asp
======================================================================
EXTENDED DAYLIGHT SAVING
Daylight saving will start three weeks earlier and end one week later
under a Bill that passed the Legislative Assembly this week. When
Parliament extended daylight saving for the Commonwealth Games in 2005
I moved to make the changes permanent. They were opposed because
agreement was needed with other States. I am pleased that this has now
occurred.
I supported the Standard Time Amendment (Daylight Saving) Bill.
Extended daylight saving increases time for families and friends,
encourages people to stay outdoors and be active, and saves energy by
reducing the need for artificial lighting. It reduces the fear of
crime by giving people time to travel home in daylight. It is good for
business, increasing trade for shops, bars and outdoor cafés.
If the Legislative Council passes the Bill, daylight saving will
start on the first week of October and end on first week of April,
beginning in 2008.
My speech is available at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/
PARLMENT/hansArt.nsf/V3Key/LA20070926046
======================================================================
EVENT ALERT!
* LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: The Legislative Assembly resumes 16
October. For Parliament sitting days, see www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/
prod/web/common.nsf/key/HHBSitDay2007
* CITY OF SYDNEY: Committees and Council meet Monday evenings and the
Central Sydney Planning Committee meets Thursdays, generally every
three weeks, in the Council Chamber, Sydney Town Hall. Committees next
meet on Monday 16 October and the next Council meeting is 5pm Monday
30 October.
* WOOLLAHRA COUNCIL: Council and Committee Meetings for the year are
listed on Council's website at www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au (go to
"Council" and then "Council and Committee Meetings"), or phone 9391
7000.
* INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NON-VIOLENCE: Tuesday 2 October 5:00pm-7:30pm
at Wynyard Park. Celebration of Ghandi's Satyagraha (Force of Truth
and Love), with Drum Café, the Indian Consul, Stuart Rees, Kamahl and
other singers. Information: phone 9267 0953 or email
president@bhavanaustralia.org.
* CITYTALKS: LIQUID CITIES - BERLIN AND SYDNEY IN CONVERSATION:
Thursday 4 October, 6:30pm to 8.00pm City Recital Hall, Angel Place.
Bookings phone 8256 2222 or visit www.cityrecitalhall.com
* ART & ABOUT LAUNCH: Customs House Square, Friday, 5 October,
beginning at 6.00pm.
* WALK TO WORK DAY: Friday 5 October. National event organised by the
Pedestrian Council of Australia to promote walking and support the
Heart Foundation, Cancer Council, Diabetes Australia and Australian
Conservation Foundation. Register at www.walk.com.au,
or phone 9968 4555.
* MENTAL HEALTH DAY AT NORTHCOTT: Thursday 11 October, 10.00am
-3.00pm. Part of Mental Health Week, this is a full day of
activities, including a panel of experts and consumers in the field of
mental health, tai chi, art class, an art exhibition and stalls from
service providers. Free BBQ lunch. Organised by St Vincents Mental
Health, Surry Hills Public Tenants Association, Personal Helpers and
Mentors, Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre, City of Sydney and the
Department of Housing.
* CITY OF SYDNEY SPRING CYCLE: 21 October from St Leonards Park North
Sydney across the Harbour Bridge to Sydney Olympic Park, from 5km up
to 50km with thousands of other cyclists. Book online at
www.springcycle.com.au.
* WATERSHED SUSTAINABILITY WORKSHOPS: Workshops on Worm Farming,
Composting, Natural Cleaning, Eco Choices and are held at the
Watershed Sustainability Resource Centre, 218 King Street, Newtown, or
at Rosebery Community Centre, 78 Harcourt Parade Rosebery.
Information: phone 9519 6366, email watershed@marrickville.nsw.gov.au.
The program is at www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Environment/
TheWatershedSustainabilityResourceCentre.asp
* BIKESYDNEY TWILIGHT RIDES: Every second Tuesday of the month from
Martin Place, between Castlereagh and Elizabeth Streets, meet 5.45pm
for a 6pm departure. Two hour rides from 10 to 20km. Contact
BikeSydney for details: email cityride@bikesydney.org or web
bikesydney.org/new/.
* PACT MEETINGS: All Police Commands appoint a Police Accountability
Community Team to improve communication and accountability of local
police. Reports are listed on the NSW Police website at
www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/pact/central_metro. Clover is
represented at each Sydney Command and can take up crime, policing,
and safety concerns there. For information, contact Roy Bishop,
telephone 9360 3053 or email sydney@parliament.nsw.gov.au.
* COMMUNITY CENTRES & LIBRARIES: City community centres and libraries
present a range of events and activities for people of all ages and
backgrounds. Information is published on the City's website
www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au under the Community menu.
* EVENTS IN THE CITY: For more events in the City of Sydney area,
visit www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/WhatsOn. You can subscribe to email
alerts to let you know about events, Development Applications and
announcements from the City of Sydney.
* WWW.CLOVERMOORE.COM
* Looking for something specific? www.clovermoore.com/search
* This eNews will be added to www.clovermoore.com/enews, with links
to any more information.
============
* WWW.CLOVERMOORE.COM
* Small Bars Bill Introduced
* Learning from Berlin
* Live Laneways for Art & About
* Human Rights Protection for NSW
* Join in National Walk to Work Day
* Extended Daylight Saving
* Event Alert, web links & eNews subscription
======================================================================
SMALL BARS BILL INTRODUCED
My Liquor Amendment (Small Bars and Restaurants) Bill, which I
introduced in Parliament yesterday, aims to provide greater diversity
and choice in our night economy and culture, with less impact on
neighbourhood amenity.
I was able to introduce my bill because opposition members agreed to
postpone their speeches in support of their private members bills.
This unprecedented and historic move was in response to the very
strong community support for my bill.
This support has included letters and emails from across Sydney and
NSW, letters published in Sydney newspapers, comments logged on
newspaper websites, and calls for liquor reform from the Sydney
Chamber of Commerce, the Property Council, leading restaurateurs and
the former Prime Minister Paul Keating. Two web-based Facebook groups,
Sydney Hole in the Wall (Bar) Appreciation Society and We Want Funky
Little Pubs have combined to set up Raise the Bar to campaign for
change, and has already attracted over 20,000 members.
My Bill removes key obstacles to more flexible liquor licensing by
creating a new "small bar" licence; and abolishing the requirement for
restaurants to pay $5,000 to $15,000 for a "dine-or-drink"
authority to serve alcohol without meals.
At present, entrepreneurs wanting to open small bars must apply for
an hotelier's licence. In addition to the $2,000 licence fee,
applicants must lodge a social impact assessment together with a fee
of up to $6,600. Preparing the social impact assessment may cost
$50,000 or more in legal fees. This complex and costly process results
in rights and benefits, such as large premises, gaming machines, and
the right to sell take away liquor, which are not needed or wanted in
small bars.
"Small Bar" licences will be limited to premises catering for 120
patrons or less and will permit the sale of alcohol for consumption on
the premises. While serving alcohol must be predominant activity,
small bars may also serve food and/or provide entertainment such as
jazz or cabaret. They will not be permitted to have gaming machines or
sell take away liquor.
Standard trading hours for small bars will be 7.00am to 11.00pm for
Mondays to Thursdays; from 7.00am to 1.00am the next day for Fridays
and Saturdays and 10am to 11pm. Trading will be restricted to noon to
10.00pm on Christmas Day and Good Friday, and on New Years Eve they
may continue trading until 2.00am the next day. Small bars may apply
to the Licensing Court for an extension of trading hours, but the
Court must be satisfied that this would not result in the frequent
undue disturbance of the neighbourhood.
The licence fee will be $500, identical to licence fees
for restaurants, theatres, and public halls and the licence approval
process will be the similar to the process for a restaurant licence.
Social impact assessments will not be required, just as they are not
required for nightclubs or low impact premises such as restaurants and
theatre bars. Small bars will require development approval from the
local council. This will ensure a more open, accountable, independent
and comprehensive process for ensuring that residents' concerns are
heard and amenity impacts are fully addressed. Within the City of
Sydney local government area DAs for small bars would be assessed in
the context of our Late Night Trading Premises Development Control
Plan, which aims to manage the impacts of late night premises on
neighbourhood amenity, while encouraging vibrancy and diversity.
The abolition of the dine-or-drink authority will remove a major
barrier to restaurants serving alcohol without meals. Only restaurants
with a dine-or-drink authority (which can cost from $5,000 to $15,000)
may serve alcohol without meals, and this is limited to a maximum of
30% of patrons.
My bill will enable all restaurants to serve alcohol without meals to
all patrons, provided its predominant activity is the preparation and
serving of meals for consumption on the premises, and tables and
chairs are available for at least 70% of patrons at all times.
My bill is only a first step in achieving the major reforms needed in
this highly complex area. Applicants for many types of licences have
told me that the process of applying for a licence is expensive and
inhibitive. There are also concerns that this process does not
adequately deal with alcohol abuse or the impacts of licensed premises
on residential amenity. The Police argue that existing legislation
does not give them the powers they need to enforce conditions of
licences to reduce impacts from venues. Current fines of $5,000 or
$10,000 do not deter large venues who can cause serious problems for
police and distress for neighbouring residents.
If the Government doesn't introduce long awaited changes, I am
considering a second stage of reform involving a different liquor
licensing process in line with other states.
The community believes that current liquor licensing laws fail to
allow the diversity in late night trading that consumers demand and
they want Parliament to pass my bill.
Information
* My speech in Parliament: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/
parlment/hansart.nsf/V3HHBSpeaker?open&vwCat=Moore,+Ms+Clover
* Liquor Amendment (Small Bars and Restaurants) Bill:
www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/nswbills.nsf/0/
581DFCE6BC307976CA2573610020BC93
* Raise the Bar: www.raisethebar.org.au
======================================================================
LEARNING FROM BERLIN
Next Thursday evening's City Talk at the City Recital Hall, Angel
Place has the theme “Liquid Cities: Berlin and Sydney in
Conversation”
and will focus on the role of culture in transforming cities.
Adrienne Goehler, Berlin's former Senator for Arts and Science, will
speak about Berlin's transformation into the cultural hub of central
Europe since the unification of Germany in 1990 and explore why Berlin
now attracts creative minds and talents.
After serving as a Deputy in the Hamburg Parliament, Ms Goehler
headed the academy of fine arts in Hamburg for 12 years and is
currently curator of the Berlin Cultural Fund. She has recently
published Liquifications: Paths and Detours to a Cultural Economy.
Following her speech, Robert Whitehead, Director of Marketing and
Newspaper Sales for the Sydney Morning Herald and former
Goethe-Institut Scholarship Student and Amrita Cheema, SBS presenter
and journalist and former Berlin resident, will respond.
I look forward to learning about Berlin's transformation and the
lessons it may have for Sydney.
Information
* CityTalks: Liquid Cities - Berlin and Sydney in Conversation,
Thursday 4 October, 6:30pm to 8.00pm City Recital Hall, Angel Place.
* Bookings: While this is a free event booking is essential. To book
phone 8256 2222 or visit the website www.cityrecitalhall.com
======================================================================
LIVE LANEWAYS FOR ART & ABOUT
Three of the City's laneways will be transformed for this year's Art
& About visual arts festival which I will launch at Customs House
Square next Friday, 5 October.
Albion Lane, between George and Kent Streets, will become an open air
art gallery, accessible 24 hours a day, with works by 33 emerging and
established local artists. An outdoor lounge bar with free live bands
will be created in Bulletin Place near Circular Quay for five nights
between 6 and 13 October. Temperance Lane, off George Street between
Market and King Streets, will be reinvigorated with a lighting system
to create a multi-coloured kaleidoscope.
The transformation of the three lanes will launch the City's Live
Laneways project, by demonstrating what can be done to bring our
laneways to life through public art, events and new businesses such as
cafes and bars. The City has audited 47 lanes within the CBD for
possible revitalization and priority lanes have been included in the
pedestrian study being conducted by Gehl Architects. We are committed
to revitalising our laneways in partnership with the business and art
communities as part of our Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision.
Art & About, with its aim of bringing art outdoors to stimulate,
engage and entertain, is an ideal opportunity to showcase these
possibilities.
The Festival runs for three weeks with exhibitions and events on the
streets, in public spaces and galleries across the City. Highlights
include:
* Art & About @ Circular Quay: An eclectic range of projections and
playful installations, exhibitions and events;
* Child's Eye 2030: Between 5 and 21 October, illustrations and
poetry depicting children's visions of life in 2030 will be projected
in giant form onto the wall of the AMP Building at Circular Quay from
6pm to midnight
* Open Gallery: Artworks by contemporary Australian and international
artists displayed throughout the city on banner poles; and
* Sydney Life Photography Exhibition: Twenty-six large scale images
depicting the people, landscapes and quirks of Sydney life displayed
along the central walkway of Hyde Park North.
I invite you to join me at 6pm in Customs House Square, Circular Quay
for the launch of Art & About and the first showing of Child's Eye
2030 and encourage you to enjoy the many events and exhibitions during
the festival.
Information
* www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/artandabout
======================================================================
HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION FOR NSW
Australia is the only democratic nation in the world without a legal
human rights instrument. Although human rights atrocities are not
common, there is a growing feeling that civil rights are being eroded,
particularly in response to anti-terrorism laws and the APEC summit.
In Parliament I promoted the NSW Charter Group's call for public
consultation like Victoria and the ACT did before developing Human
Rights Charters, to determine what we consider are our basic human
rights.
A Charter could provide Parliament with a tool to review the impact
of proposed legislation on human rights, ensuring informed decisions.
Unlike an American Bill of Rights, which is entrenched in the
constitution, Parliament could amend the Charter as community values
change.
As the representative of a socially and culturally diverse inner city
electorate, I have long worked to protect human rights, including the
rights of Indigenous and gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual
citizens. The City is examining the development of a Charter of Human
Rights to complement our City's Social Policy. Such a Charter would be
developed through community consultation and could include recognition
of Indigenous Australians, valuing all people, consultation and
participation, diversity, social development, equitable access for
everyone, and fair and integrated decisions.
The threat of terrorism has resulted in the abandonment of a number
of fundamental principles in the name of protecting our safety.
Without a human rights legal instrument there is no guarantee that
other rights will not be traded in the name of security. I called on
the NSW Government to grasp the opportunity to assess community
support for a Charter of Human Rights.3
======================================================================
JOIN IN NATIONAL WALK TO WORK DAY
I encourage you to take part in National Walk to Work Day next
Friday, 5 October.
National Walk to Work Day aims to promote regular walking as a
healthy activity, reduce reliance on private motor vehicles, improve
air quality by reducing unnecessary vehicle emissions and promote and
improve the use of public transport.
Registration costs $20. By registering you will be supporting the
Heart Foundation, Cancer Council of Australia, Diabetes Australia and
the Australian Conservation Foundation, four charities which promote
regular walking as a great way to Better Health and Cleaner Air.
The City is committed to making Sydney pedestrian friendly and we
have engaged Gehl Architects to conduct a “Public Spaces and Public
Life” survey in Sydney as part of our Sustainable Sydney 2030
project.
Headed by Danish expert Professor Jan Gehl, the Gehl Architects team
have been critically analysing our inner city streets and public
spaces, to identify their problems and potential. They are surveying
pedestrian activity and profiling how we use spaces in both summer and
winter to prepare recommendations for improvement.
At a recent booked out City Talk, Professor Gehl shared his
observations on ways we can make Sydney a pedestrian city and discuss
how his research on has been applied successfully in cities across
Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Australia. His report
will be completed at the end of the year.
Information
* National Walk to Work Day registration: www.walk.com.au
* Podcast of Professor Gehl's City Talk: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/
podcasts/default.asp
======================================================================
EXTENDED DAYLIGHT SAVING
Daylight saving will start three weeks earlier and end one week later
under a Bill that passed the Legislative Assembly this week. When
Parliament extended daylight saving for the Commonwealth Games in 2005
I moved to make the changes permanent. They were opposed because
agreement was needed with other States. I am pleased that this has now
occurred.
I supported the Standard Time Amendment (Daylight Saving) Bill.
Extended daylight saving increases time for families and friends,
encourages people to stay outdoors and be active, and saves energy by
reducing the need for artificial lighting. It reduces the fear of
crime by giving people time to travel home in daylight. It is good for
business, increasing trade for shops, bars and outdoor cafés.
If the Legislative Council passes the Bill, daylight saving will
start on the first week of October and end on first week of April,
beginning in 2008.
My speech is available at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/
PARLMENT/hansArt.nsf/V3Key/LA20070926046
======================================================================
EVENT ALERT!
* LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: The Legislative Assembly resumes 16
October. For Parliament sitting days, see www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/
prod/web/common.nsf/key/HHBSitDay2007
* CITY OF SYDNEY: Committees and Council meet Monday evenings and the
Central Sydney Planning Committee meets Thursdays, generally every
three weeks, in the Council Chamber, Sydney Town Hall. Committees next
meet on Monday 16 October and the next Council meeting is 5pm Monday
30 October.
* WOOLLAHRA COUNCIL: Council and Committee Meetings for the year are
listed on Council's website at www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au (go to
"Council" and then "Council and Committee Meetings"), or phone 9391
7000.
* INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NON-VIOLENCE: Tuesday 2 October 5:00pm-7:30pm
at Wynyard Park. Celebration of Ghandi's Satyagraha (Force of Truth
and Love), with Drum Café, the Indian Consul, Stuart Rees, Kamahl and
other singers. Information: phone 9267 0953 or email
president@bhavanaustralia.org.
* CITYTALKS: LIQUID CITIES - BERLIN AND SYDNEY IN CONVERSATION:
Thursday 4 October, 6:30pm to 8.00pm City Recital Hall, Angel Place.
Bookings phone 8256 2222 or visit www.cityrecitalhall.com
* ART & ABOUT LAUNCH: Customs House Square, Friday, 5 October,
beginning at 6.00pm.
* WALK TO WORK DAY: Friday 5 October. National event organised by the
Pedestrian Council of Australia to promote walking and support the
Heart Foundation, Cancer Council, Diabetes Australia and Australian
Conservation Foundation. Register at www.walk.com.au,
or phone 9968 4555.
* MENTAL HEALTH DAY AT NORTHCOTT: Thursday 11 October, 10.00am
-3.00pm. Part of Mental Health Week, this is a full day of
activities, including a panel of experts and consumers in the field of
mental health, tai chi, art class, an art exhibition and stalls from
service providers. Free BBQ lunch. Organised by St Vincents Mental
Health, Surry Hills Public Tenants Association, Personal Helpers and
Mentors, Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre, City of Sydney and the
Department of Housing.
* CITY OF SYDNEY SPRING CYCLE: 21 October from St Leonards Park North
Sydney across the Harbour Bridge to Sydney Olympic Park, from 5km up
to 50km with thousands of other cyclists. Book online at
www.springcycle.com.au.
* WATERSHED SUSTAINABILITY WORKSHOPS: Workshops on Worm Farming,
Composting, Natural Cleaning, Eco Choices and are held at the
Watershed Sustainability Resource Centre, 218 King Street, Newtown, or
at Rosebery Community Centre, 78 Harcourt Parade Rosebery.
Information: phone 9519 6366, email watershed@marrickville.nsw.gov.au.
The program is at www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Environment/
TheWatershedSustainabilityResourceCentre.asp
* BIKESYDNEY TWILIGHT RIDES: Every second Tuesday of the month from
Martin Place, between Castlereagh and Elizabeth Streets, meet 5.45pm
for a 6pm departure. Two hour rides from 10 to 20km. Contact
BikeSydney for details: email cityride@bikesydney.org or web
bikesydney.org/new/.
* PACT MEETINGS: All Police Commands appoint a Police Accountability
Community Team to improve communication and accountability of local
police. Reports are listed on the NSW Police website at
www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/pact/central_metro. Clover is
represented at each Sydney Command and can take up crime, policing,
and safety concerns there. For information, contact Roy Bishop,
telephone 9360 3053 or email sydney@parliament.nsw.gov.au.
* COMMUNITY CENTRES & LIBRARIES: City community centres and libraries
present a range of events and activities for people of all ages and
backgrounds. Information is published on the City's website
www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au under the Community menu.
* EVENTS IN THE CITY: For more events in the City of Sydney area,
visit www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/WhatsOn. You can subscribe to email
alerts to let you know about events, Development Applications and
announcements from the City of Sydney.
* WWW.CLOVERMOORE.COM
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