The Coordination Group have decided that we should skip the April ARAG
Meeting, as it is so close to the Easter break and as we don’t have any
burning issues on the agenda.

We welcome suggestions for the May 13th ARAG meeting, and we ask that
you send them to info@arag.org.au.

We trust you will understand this decision and we wish you all a very
happy and safe Easter break.

Regards, Ben, on behalf of the Coord Group.

Edit note: an earlier version of this post gave the wrong date for next month’s meeting. Apologies. Ben

Please join us for a 7pm start (doors open from 6:45) on Wednesday 11th of March, at Alexandria Town Hall, 73 Garden St, to hear from:

• Ron Hoenig – Member for Heffron (Labor)
• John Koutsoukis – Liberal Candidate &
• Osman Faruqi – Greens Candidate

Heffron Meet the Candidates, 11 March, 7pm, at Alexandria Town Hall

As decided at the February meeting of ARAG, and in consultation with Friends of Erskinevile and REDWatch, candidates have been asked to speak about:

• WestConnex
• The sale of the Australian Technology Park
• Planning and Infrastructure

There will be an opportunity for questions from the floor.

The full text of the questions ARAG has candidates to answer, and background information ARAG has provided to candidates, is as follows.

WestConnex

Context – ARAG and FOE members have real concerns about WestConnex given the lack of transparency, accountability, environmental impact studies, poor community engagement & focus on roads rather than integrated public transport.
Question:

“What is your party‘s position in relation to WestConnex & where does Pubic Transport fit in your party’s policies as it affects the seat of Heffron? ”

Sale of the Australian Technology Park

Context – the ATP sits on the edge of Heffron, but what happens there impacts upon the surrounding area. ATP was founded as a centre for technology and innovation on a valuable heritage site – building on our industrial past, but looking to foster the creation of jobs for the future.
In December 2014, the State Government announced the sale of ATP. The proposed sale means that ATP is likely to be sold to private developers who may not place the appropriate emphasis on technology, innovation and heritage protection.
Question:

“Do you support the sale of the Australian Technology Park? How will you guarantee the protection of its unique heritage, preservation of the existing open space and maintain the vision of fostering innovation and technology? ”

Planning and Infrastructure

Context – The seat of Heffron is feeling extensive pressure from Urban Consolidation with the immediate impact of an increase of 50,000 people from Green Square & the Ashmore Estate alone.
The current State Government promised open consultation, but failed to pass the legislation due in large part to growing resident concerns and the actions of a coalition of over 470 resident groups represented as the Better Planning Network. The resident groups all felt that foundational principles and protections that are the signature of good planning legislation had been excluded and that the legislation if passed would lead to appalling & unacceptable outcomes.
Question:

“What principles do you think are essential to the planning process and will you sign the ‘Community Charter for Better Planning’?”

Edit: John Koutsoukis has had to withdraw owing to work commitments.

WestConnex are having a Q&A tomorrow (Feb 23rd), at 7:00 at Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Road, Newtown.

For more information, see https://www.facebook.com/events/1554561164807291/

We are sorry to announce this, but there will not be an Alexandria Summer Fair this year.

Between responding to WestConnex, Central 2 Eveleigh, and the so called Planning Reforms, all of us volunteers are flat out. We just don’t have the bandwidth to organise the fair as well.

We’re all really disappointed about this, but it was just one thing too many.

We are aiming to hold the fair next year, hope to see you there!

From Stuart Read
Prince Alfred Park, next to Central Station, in 1869 hosted the Agricultural Society of NSW’s first city exhibition in decades. In 1870 it held Australia’s second ‘Inter-Colonial’ Exhibition, a grand affair with a ‘crystal palace’ echoing London’s. This Expo’s bold building and unusually extensive landscaping put Sydney on the international exhibition map. Large crowds arrived by rail, the symbol of the machine age. Continue reading →

On Saturday 22nd November, Alexandria Vet is hosting the annual “Glow in the Park” in Alexandria park. Glow in the Park is a charity event that raises money for Fetching Dogs (a dog re-homing charity).
The aim is for owners to bring their dogs and dress them up in glow / lights. There will be glow items for sale for pets (and kids) professional pet-Santa photos by Fuzzy Beast (a pet photography business in Alexandria), a bbq, prizes for best dressed, a raffle and 80s music. It goes from 6.30pm to 9-9.30 pm. Kids and families without a dog are welcome to come along.

As discussed at our last meeting:

Central to Eveleigh Feedback

The meeting collected comments on Central to Eveleigh redevelopment proposals. These will be submitted to Urban Growth along with feedback from Vanessa Knight and Gary Speechly who attended an information session in June.

Please send any additional comments to info@arag.org.au.

Extra votes for business owners

ARAG has sent a letter to the premier in objection to legislation proposed by Shooters and Fishers Party that seeks to give more votes to people who own businesses than to other people.  (If you wish to send your own objection, we have uploaded a template for a draft objection letter that may be posted or submitted online.)

BPN Planning for People Charter

ARAG is now a signatory to the BPN Planning for People Charter.

See also the explanatory note.

Alexandria Scouts

There will be a public meeting in support of reopening Alexandria Scout Hall at:

3-4pm, Saturday 23 August
Australian Technology Park, Bay 8, Room 6b.