Tribute to Anne Slattery - Botany Historical Trust

Ron Hoenig MP addressing the Trust meeting

I was delighted to attended the recent General Meeting of the Botany Historical Trust held at The George Hanna Memorial Museum at Mascot and pay tribute to a very special person.

I would like to thank Botany Bay City Council for the invitation to attend, as the Trust is something that I hold as great significance to me and I believe a true legacy gift for the community. I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak about the history of Botany and the creation of the Trust and the George Hanna Museum.

I would like to congratulate the Trust on what they have accomplished thus far and I would like to encourage all members to engage with the community and welcome in new members as I feel that we as a community can contribute to the Trust by getting together more often and discuss and explore the wonderful history and heritage of our great city.

As discussed at the meeting last night there are upcoming workshops, future excursions to iconic historical sites such as La Perouse and Shoalhaven and opportunities to establish sub committees. Volunteering at the museum is another way of contributing to the Trust, you would be helping grow and build on the history by researching and exploring new areas.

Anne Slattery with Ron Hoenig MP

I also had the opportunity to recognise Anne Slattery, President of the Botany Historical Trust for her tireless service to our community along with her love and passion for history. On 19 June 2013 I paid tribute to Anne at NSW Parliament House which is recorded in the Parliamentary Hansard records and last night I presented Anne with a Parliamentary certificate which briefly states Anne’s achievements and why the community recognises her for her distinction and compassion.

I would like to thank the Trusts Committee, members, Botany Bay Deputy Mayor George Glinatsis, Botany Bay City Council staff and everyone else who came along. It’s truly wonderful to see so much enthusiasm and passion on the history of our city.

If you would like to get involved with the Trust please visit the Central Library at Westfield Shoppingtown, Ground floor Banks Avenue Eastgardens or phone them on 9366 3888.

Ron Hoenig's Heffron Gazette - June 2013

Heffron residents should have received the June 2013 edition of my newsletter called the "Ron Hoenig Heffron Gazette". It is available for download here. 

Redfern Public Housing Forum

Thank you to those many Redfern public housing residents that attended my Public Housing Forum at ‘Our Place’ Community Room Poets Corner, in Redfern this week.

The forum was held to give public housing tenants an opportunity to meet and speak with me, Housing NSW staff and Police about Housing NSW issues and initiatives along with Policing and Crime Prevention. 

I was delighted to see that so many residents attended and that each of them had the chance to speak and ask questions of which included the following topics; anti- social behaviour, building security, the implementation of new alcohol free zones, maintenance and the effects of the clean energy supplement gouge and the new bedroom tax for under occupancy. 

I would like to thank Constable Maria Flood from Redfern Police and Michael Modder & Cheyne Hart from Housing NSW for coming along and being of great assistance to me.

I also wish to thank the radio media for covering the plight of public housing tenants and their real concern about the government's gouging of the clean energy supplement.

What I like most about meeting people face to face, is that I know people are getting the chance to have their say and have their questions or concerns answered. I want the community to know that I am here to listen and enjoy speaking with you all; for I think it’s the best part about my job.

Premier O'Farrell needs to reverse dangerous cuts to offenders supervision program in this years budget

The O’Farrell Liberal Government needs to reverse its dangerous decision to cut $5.7 million and 73 jobs from the program designed to supervise serious sex and violent offenders in the community.

This cut is has been highlighted following a woman being attacked at a bus stop last week, allegedly by a man released on parole only months earlier after being jailed for the murder of a 17 year old woman in 1990.

This year’s budget papers* (budget paper 3, 2-15) reveal:

·       $5.7 million is being cut this year from the Supervision of Offenders in the Community Service Group; and

·       At least 73 full time jobs are being slashed from the offender supervision program.

Following the horrific attack in Hunters Hill only a few days ago, it defies belief the O’Farrell Government would reduce supervision for violent offenders. Our supervision system has failed, so why on earth would the Government seek to further reduce the monitoring of offenders in our community?

These budget and staff cuts mean there will be even less supervision of violent offenders in our community. Cost cutting from offender supervision programs that are designed to protect the community is incredibly dangerous. It neither protect the community or reduces recidivism of offenders.

People across the Eastern Suburbs and Inner Southern region have a right to feel safe regardless of whether they are in their own home, waiting at a bus stop or walking alone down the street. If the O’Farrell Government is serious about protecting the community, they would reverse these dangerous funding cuts to offender supervision programs today.

Mobile Offices – Eastlakes, Alexandria & Erskineville

What a wet weekend it was! But it wasn’t wet enough to deter the locals of Eastlakes, Alexandria and Erskineville as they came along to say hi at our mobile offices that were held on Saturday 22 June across the Heffron Electorate.

Despite the wet weather, the mobile offices were a success with many locals out and about coming along to speak with me. What I like most about mobile offices is that it gives me an opportunity to get out into the community and talk and meet with my constituents; it’s a great way to connect with you and gives you "after hours" access to myself and my staff in addition to the services available at my Heffron Electorate Office.

I was also very appreciative that Peter Garrett, Federal Member for Kingsford-Smith and Councillors, Mark Castle and Stan Kondilios from Botany City Council and attended the Eastlakes mobile office and Councillor Linda Scott from City of Sydney Council attended the Alexandria and Erskineville mobile offices to answer any local government related matters.

Thank you to everyone that came along, I was delighted to meet you and help you with any enquiries and please keep an eye out for my next mobile office near you.

Izabella Shrayer meeting Ron Hoenig MP and Peter Garrett MP at Eastlakes

Ron Hoenig MP,  Judith Rainsbury-Taylor, Deborah Taylor & Cr Linda Scott  at Erskinville

Ron Hoenig MP talking to residents at Eastlakes Shopping Centre

Vince Carnevale of Rosebery with Ron Hoenig MP and Steve Sotiras at Eastlakes Shopping Centre

Kensington West Kingsford Precinct Committee

It was terrific so many people, including Randwick City Councillor Greg Moore, braved a chilly winter’s evening to attend the bimonthly meeting of Kensington West Kingsford Precinct Committee. 

Joy Hruby with Ron Hoenig MP 

I was pleased to accept an invitation by the Committee’s Secretary, Rosemary Mackenzie, to address the meeting and to share my thoughts and views on a range of current issues and discuss their likely impact on the neighbourhoods of Kensington and Kingsford. 

For over an hour we discussed:

• council amalgamations and the creation of “super” councils 
• light rail for Anzac Parade 
• the Planning White Paper 
• the Urban Activation Precincts - and sites chosen for Randwick, Anzac Parade Kingsford and from Maroubra to Phillip Bay and 
• the Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney to 2031.   

Gerard Lore with Ron Hoenig MP

 I commend the Committee’s efforts in providing a regular forum where concerned residents can discuss and respond to planning issues, policies and proposed projects that directly impact their neighbourhood. 

  

Community sees red over State Government rezoning proposal in Randwick City

Randwick Mayor Tony Bowen says the State Government has left the community in the dark about its plans for the two Urban Activation Precincts proposed for Randwick and from Maroubra to La Perouse. 

“Many people are concerned about these proposals. Given the little detail we have seen has included mass rezoning plans for Anzac Parade that could see tens of thousands of new homes built in towers potentially up to 18 storeys, it is no wonder residents are alarmed,” Mayor Bowen said.

“Ever since the Planning Minister’s now infamous ‘blurry maps’ were sent to us in December 2012, we have been asking for more information. The State Government needs to tell us what it is up to.”

“But there’s no information coming and the community is now rightfully demanding answers. The southern urban activation precinct will be the most significant changes in generations to hit the suburbs of Maroubra, Matraville, Malabar, Chifley, Little Bay and Phillip Bay.

“In good faith we have attended some ‘steering groups’ set up by the State Government but when we asked for concrete information we have been stonewalled and even accused of scaremongering. I am concerned these meetings are a “Claytons” approach to consultation, designed to leverage Council’s good reputation and give the community the false impression the project is a joint initiative with Council when in fact the community’s voice has been silenced.

“I’ve sought a meeting with the Minister to discuss my concerns with the process initiated by his department and the lack of information available to us. I am yet to receive a satisfactory response despite filling out a range of meeting request paperwork and red tape that is apparently required to speak with a State Government minister.

“I’m very concerned this Urban Activation process seems to be ploughing ahead without any proper consultation or meaningful information available to residents, especially given this government promised to return planning powers to local government, and has also advocated the community having a greater say in the planning process,” Mayor Bowen said.