"I encourage all the residents to take interest and make comments and suggestions." Liberal Councillor Jess Diaz said.  He described it as a good, safe and "easy as it goes".  However, it does not contain any new major initiatives to respond to the global economic crisis, particularly the rising unemployment at a national level of 6% and probably over 10% in the local level.

"While Blacktown Council prides itself of being in the black, its financial stability is secure. debt-free, there are many infrastructure projects waiting for something to happen and by omission allowed to deteriorate.  The Works Improvement Program has a huge disparity in the amount budgeted and the needs of the City.  Some of these needs have been waiting for over five years.

"What I would like to see is a restudy or re-examination of how the budget is restructured, some of the works improvement waiting for several years become more costly and not commensurate with the interest the Council earns from its investments.  This is an area that I suggest needs a new direction and initiative," Councillor Diaz added.

Liberal Councillor George Bilic attacked the absence of contingency plans for diminishing revenues and the capping of contributions in the areas for development.

Independent Councillor Russ Dickens called for more efficient operation of council and cut expenses to meet the increasing costs in the work program.

"There are misplaced priorities when we spend $20m for an AFL stadium and allowed our CBDs to deteriorate.  The $300,000 allocated for embellishment of Blacktown CBD is far too small to make an impact on its development.

"The modern trend in city living is 'Walkable Urbanism'.  People want to live in a safe environment , walking distance to transport, where they can work and enjoy the theatres , the arts and the food.  In its present state, this is not Blacktown CBD or even Mt. Druitt.  Our City needs new local initiatives and new set of priorities,"  Councillor Diaz concluded.

Enquiries:  Jess Diaz 9831 5278

After heated debates during the Blacktown Council's 18 March ordinary meeting, the development application for a huge hotel/pub in the middle of a residential area at Ropes Crossing was passed.  Labor councillors joined by Independent Councillor Allan Green voted to approve the development amidst strong protest of the residents.

Independent Councillor Russ Dickens' motion to defer Council's decision to examine in detail its social impact was lost on party lines.  Councillor Dickens attacked Labor councillors bedding with developers with scant consideration of how a pub could affect the quiet life in a residential neighbourhood.

Liberal Councillor Jess Diaz supported the move for deferral to have more time to study the report, particularly the social impact statement made by someone at the behest and paid for by the developer.  "It is clear how alcohol and gambling in the middle of a residential area, close to proposed primary and secondary schools will affect the community.  Everyday news bring us the horror of alcohol and gambling addictions.  The low image of Blacktown areas bordering Ropes Crossing will suffer more," Councillor Diaz said.

In a public forum portion of the meeting, local residents represented by Mr. J Janski outlined their objections and raised their concerns about the social impact statement carried out when there were only six residents at Ropes Crossing.  Mr. Janski pointed out its flaws and inconsistencies which any development conditions including the plan of management would not forestall antisocial behaviour including excessive alcohol consumption and gambling.

Council completely ignored how gambling can affect people by simply noting that it has nothing to do with gaming licenses other than approving the premises.

"This is a decision that this Council voting now will be haunted in the years to come.  When the concerns of residents about crimes, gambling and alcohol are in the news shaming Blacktown, this Council will have a lot to answer for ignoring the public interest," Councillor Diaz concluded.

Enquiries:  Brightly@diazlawyers.com  Mobile 0403060492

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Fiery debates characterized Blacktown City Council's meeting on 4th February 2009.  Nearly every councillor spoke against the State Labor government's plan to reduce the levies on new development by $64,000.00.  This would cap infrastructure contributions payable to Council to $20,000.00 per lot.

Labor Councillors denounced the making of "future slums". Without the funds to develop new areas' open space, roads and amenities including neighbourhood centres and sports fields, it is easy to imagine how these new housing estates will look like slums.

Independent Councillor Russ Dickens led the charge in denouncing the proposal and rebuked Labor councillors for not standing up to their State Labor mates.  "We have discussed this a number of times in this Council, we have recommended deputations after deputations to the Premier and MPs representing our area, but nothing has happened, they have done absolutely nothing", declared Councillor Dickens.

Liberal Councillor Jess Diaz strongly supported Councillor Dickens, and said, Labor Councillors had to stop the rhetoric and accept that State Labor government has totally ignored the Council, a Labor-dominated Council, in the many issues including this proposition that will bankrupt the Council.  He said, "they are all your Labor mates who brought miseries to the whole State and completely ignored the interests of the people of Blacktown and caved in to the interest of the developer in the guise of housing affordability.  The reduction will only end up in the pockets of the developers.  We have the whole community on our side in this."

In discussing the creation of CBD Advisory Committee, again nearly every Councillor denounced the state of deterioration of Blacktown CBD.  The unsavory looks, the upkeep of shops, and what has come to be a loitering place that many residents avoid going to the CBD.

Councillors Diaz and Dickens were most critical of the state of disrepair and lack of development over the last 20 years.  While Labor Councillor Tony Bleasdale described the current situation as grim and would be so because of financial crisis and former mayor, Councillor Allan Pendleton talked about a number of initiatives that did not materialize, including 24 and 25 storeys approved development, Councillor Diaz maintained that there has been a total neglect and that Blacktown CBD has been by-passed by economic boom and no amount of rationalizing can escape Council's responsibility for what has happened in Blacktown CBD.

Enquiries:  Brightly@diazfoundation.org.  Mobile 0403060492

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Council will seek an urgent deputation with NSW Premier Nathan Rees regarding the Eastern Creek Motorsport Precinct.

The passage in the NSW Parliament of the Motor Racing Act 2008 and the support of the Premier for Homebush Bay to host the grand finale of V8 Supercar Championship for the next five years and contributing $30.m to stage the race will affect the future viability of the Eastern Creek Motorsport Precinct.

Liberal Councillor Jess Diaz spoke of the great urgency for the new Mayor to meet the Premier to express the disappointment of the people of Blacktown on this development.  He said that former Mayor Leo Kelly called the Premier's action a "slap on the face of Blacktown".  Councillor Diaz said, "it is difficult to understand how Homebush Bay was preferred against Eastern Creek in spite of strong oppositions from many stakeholders including motorsport bodies, environmentalists and residents, and even the former Planning Minister Frank Sartor.

This was carried out in the Labor heartland, with Labor local council and including the Premier all Labor MPs representing the City of Blacktown."

Independent Councillor Russ Dickens, responding to Councillor Alan Pendleton that there is nothing that can be done now as it has been fait accompli, said, "we should not take a defeatist attitude but should pursue this with greater vigor."

Enquiries:  Brightly@diazfoundation.org. Mobile 0403060492

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