The Greens NSW
Media Release
27th February, 2007
‘Ask yourself,’ says Sue Wynn, Greens candidate for Swansea. ‘Would this development happen in Sydney where the Government power brokers live?’
The NSW Government is in the process of allowing development on the Wallarah Peninsula at Catherine Hill Bay, Gwandalan, Nords Wharf and Crangan Bay, because it has ignored its own Department of Planning’s advice on how to bring it into public ownership.
The value of the Wallarah Peninsula as an inter-regional buffer zone is essential as a wildlife corridor and for habitat protection. It has been known by the NSW Government since 1969. Its preservation has been government policy since 1980.
Greens candidate for Swansea, Susan Wynn, said today:
“This is a long-standing regional policy yet the Government isn’t prepared to spend even one cent on it. The Department of Planning told Cabinet how land on the Wallarah Peninsula should be bought, but Cabinet chose to allow development instead.
The Department of Planning advised Cabinet that the RioTinto (Coal and Allied) land should be purchased outright without the need for a development/dedication compromise. The Department even detailed the method to be used to fund the acquisition.
Catherine Hill Bay was listed as the second least favourable location for development in NSW by Planning Department from a list of 91 sites.
However, the Government, through the Panning Minister, using part 3A of the Environment, Planning and Assessment Act 1979, has a memorandum of understanding with RioTinto to allow 700 houses facing Crangan Bay at Gwandalan and 90 at Nords Wharf.
The memorandum also include 600 dwellings for Rosecorp at an average price of $750 000 at the heritage village of Catherine Hill Bay and at Moonee Beach delivering Rosecorp half a billion dollars. On top of that Rosecorp’s plans include over 300 houses at Gwandalan in Stage 1 with no plan for Stage 2. Gwandalan is over 17 kilometres away from Catherine Hill Bay but has been placed under the same development simply because both areas are owned by the same developer, Rosecorp.
“If elected I, as The Greens member, will introduce a Private Members Bill to scrap the contentious Part 3A that removes the rights of individuals, communities, heritage, councils, endangered species and the Land and Environment court in the planning process, without any recourse to appeal,” said Sue Wynn.
“We are not just talking about development, we are talking about areas of refuge from our urbanised environment that are valued universally by all across the entire electorate and beyond. We do not want a homogenous coastline replicating Bondi. These are our last open spaces we cannot afford to lose this fight.”
The Panning Minister has ‘called in’ 360 development projects using Part 3A in the past 12 months and approved 316 of them. The majority of these developments have been rejected by the community, local councils, heritage and the Land and Environment Court, all of the due processes that protect our democracy. Mr Sartor has absolute power and can even overrule on endangered species. Once the concept plan is approved its all over. There is no course for appeal.
The NSW branch of the ALP has received $7.4 million and the Liberal party $4.7 million from property developers over 1999 to 2005. Both major parties voted to approve the Part 3A amendment in the lower house. The Greens are working for a ban on developer donations to political parties, and, continuous disclosure for all donations over $200.
Sue Wynn can be contacted on 4359 1481 or mobile 0431 637 643
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Submitted for Sun Herald article by Paul Sott 25/02/07
If I am elected to the seat of Swansea, I will commit to work towards:
ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE
· Setting mandatory targets of 50% renewable energy and water recycling by 2020
· Creating jobs through high end research and development in renewable energy and other industries
· No new coal mines
· Substantially increasing tank rebates, on-site grey water recycling
· Opposing desalination plants
DEVELOPMENT
· Banning developer donations to political parties
· Saving coast and towns from over-development by introducing a Private Members Bill to scrap the contentious and undemocratic Part 3A which removes the rights of individuals, communities, heritage, councils, endangered species and the Land and Environment court in the planning process, with no course for appeal
REBUILDING QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
· Reducing Police response times
· Assisting communities by providing meaningful youth programmes
· Dental health care access for all
· Providing more beds at Belmont Hospital
· Funding 2 years of free pre-school for all children
· Providing a new crossing over Swansea channel
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
· Improving and expanding public transport
· Completing the Fernleigh Track and building more cycle ways
· Introducing express bus lanes to Swansea and express service to Newcastle airport
ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE
· Setting mandatory targets of 50% renewable energy and water recycling by 2020
· Creating jobs through high end research and development in renewable energy and other industries
· No new coal mines
· Substantially increasing tank rebates, on-site grey water recycling
· Opposing desalination plants
DEVELOPMENT
· Banning developer donations to political parties
· Saving coast and towns from over-development by introducing a Private Members Bill to scrap the contentious and undemocratic Part 3A which removes the rights of individuals, communities, heritage, councils, endangered species and the Land and Environment court in the planning process, with no course for appeal
REBUILDING QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
· Reducing Police response times
· Assisting communities by providing meaningful youth programmes
· Dental health care access for all
· Providing more beds at Belmont Hospital
· Funding 2 years of free pre-school for all children
· Providing a new crossing over Swansea channel
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
· Improving and expanding public transport
· Completing the Fernleigh Track and building more cycle ways
· Introducing express bus lanes to Swansea and express service to Newcastle airport
The Newcastle Greens
Media Release
22 February 2007
Greens candidate for Swansea, Sue Wynn, is calling for a thorough and immediate overhaul of the public transport system in her electorate, a system she feels is letting the local community down.
‘The state of public transport across the electorate of Swansea is abysmal,’ said Ms Wynn. ‘The electorate needs an integrated approach across regional areas. The lack of services and their infrequency contributes to social isolation as well as the inability for many people to fully engage in the workforce and of course a continued reliance on cars for their transport needs.’
‘The geography of Lake Macquarie means there are many small communities that are not well serviced by any public transport and they need a frequent, reliable, safe and clean service that links with direct route buses to the larger service and employment centres,’ said Ms Wynn. ‘This could be achieved using small local buses that connect with larger buses at the interchange of these communities with the Pacific Highway.’
Currently the Lower Hunter public transport usage is 5% and NSW is one of only two places in Australia where public transport patronage is falling. The Greens will work towards a goal of public transport patronage of 20% by 2020.
The Greens are committed to new public transport projects funded by public investment, not Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).
The Greens are also committed to amending Section 94 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to allow local councils to use developer contributions for local and regional public transport schemes, under the coordination of the Ministry of Transport.
‘Swansea electorate deserves a regional bus network based on transport needs,’ said Ms Wynn. ‘Buses must make direct, fast links between transit centres. A transit bus lane to Swansea and a direct airport link to and from Swansea are essential.’
Public transport should be affordable and reliable. The Greens support extending concession fares and integrated ticketing.
‘The Greens are committed to a bus reform package to improve servicing of light and heavy rail and invest in a mixture of heavy rail, light rail and bus services.
‘We also encourage the shift of freight from road to rail by improvements to the rail system, reopening rail freight branch lines.’
The Greens would ensure all new roads, bridges and upgrades to be safe for bicycles and reallocate at least 5% of the state’s road budget to the construction of a comprehensive bicycle networks.
‘I am committed to securing funding to complete the Fernleigh Track, for all people to use and enjoy. This will allow people to cycle safely to and from work or for pleasure,’ said Ms Wynn.
‘All of these initiatives would service the community’s needs and, as a bonus, reduce green house gas emissions as well.’
Media Release
22 February 2007
Greens candidate for Swansea, Sue Wynn, is calling for a thorough and immediate overhaul of the public transport system in her electorate, a system she feels is letting the local community down.
‘The state of public transport across the electorate of Swansea is abysmal,’ said Ms Wynn. ‘The electorate needs an integrated approach across regional areas. The lack of services and their infrequency contributes to social isolation as well as the inability for many people to fully engage in the workforce and of course a continued reliance on cars for their transport needs.’
‘The geography of Lake Macquarie means there are many small communities that are not well serviced by any public transport and they need a frequent, reliable, safe and clean service that links with direct route buses to the larger service and employment centres,’ said Ms Wynn. ‘This could be achieved using small local buses that connect with larger buses at the interchange of these communities with the Pacific Highway.’
Currently the Lower Hunter public transport usage is 5% and NSW is one of only two places in Australia where public transport patronage is falling. The Greens will work towards a goal of public transport patronage of 20% by 2020.
The Greens are committed to new public transport projects funded by public investment, not Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).
The Greens are also committed to amending Section 94 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to allow local councils to use developer contributions for local and regional public transport schemes, under the coordination of the Ministry of Transport.
‘Swansea electorate deserves a regional bus network based on transport needs,’ said Ms Wynn. ‘Buses must make direct, fast links between transit centres. A transit bus lane to Swansea and a direct airport link to and from Swansea are essential.’
Public transport should be affordable and reliable. The Greens support extending concession fares and integrated ticketing.
‘The Greens are committed to a bus reform package to improve servicing of light and heavy rail and invest in a mixture of heavy rail, light rail and bus services.
‘We also encourage the shift of freight from road to rail by improvements to the rail system, reopening rail freight branch lines.’
The Greens would ensure all new roads, bridges and upgrades to be safe for bicycles and reallocate at least 5% of the state’s road budget to the construction of a comprehensive bicycle networks.
‘I am committed to securing funding to complete the Fernleigh Track, for all people to use and enjoy. This will allow people to cycle safely to and from work or for pleasure,’ said Ms Wynn.
‘All of these initiatives would service the community’s needs and, as a bonus, reduce green house gas emissions as well.’
The Newcastle Greens
Media Release
26 February 2007
Greens call for two years of free pre-school
Greens candidate for Swansea, Sue Wynn, has joined the cry of community pre-schools across the region for the government to increase funding and make pre-schooling more affordable.
‘As a mother, former teacher, educator and Greens candidate I condemn the continued lack of funding for pre-schools by the Labor government in NSW’, said Ms Wynn.
The Greens policy calls for two years free public pre-schooling for all children.
Pre-schooling is recognised as an essential foundation to later success in school and should be treated as such.
It is an appalling state of affairs when the most populous state in Australia has the highest costs and the lowest participation rates of children in pre-school.
After talking to local pre-school teachers, Ms Wynn was dismayed to discover statistics showing that NSW pre-schoolers are being let down.
‘Currently the average fee for NSW pre-schools is around $30/day, when the average cost in other states is around $5/day’, said Ms Wynn.
At one of the 100 Department of Education pre-schools, parents queued from 4.30am to secure a place, they could afford, for their child.
As a result only 59% of eligible pre-school children attend pre-school in NSW compared to over 90% attendance in other states.
This is because the 800 NSW community pre-schools are chronically under-funded and based on the absurd model of the user pay system, allowing the most disadvantaged and vulnerable to fall through the cracks.
The Greens policy supports free pre-school for all children for two years before they enter primary school to help ensure they are as best prepared to succeed in the education system.
Photo Opportunities with Sue Wynn and a local pre-school teacher are available upon request.
For further information, contact Sue Wynn on:
Phone 4359 1481
Mobile 0431 637 643
Media Release
26 February 2007
Greens call for two years of free pre-school
Greens candidate for Swansea, Sue Wynn, has joined the cry of community pre-schools across the region for the government to increase funding and make pre-schooling more affordable.
‘As a mother, former teacher, educator and Greens candidate I condemn the continued lack of funding for pre-schools by the Labor government in NSW’, said Ms Wynn.
The Greens policy calls for two years free public pre-schooling for all children.
Pre-schooling is recognised as an essential foundation to later success in school and should be treated as such.
It is an appalling state of affairs when the most populous state in Australia has the highest costs and the lowest participation rates of children in pre-school.
After talking to local pre-school teachers, Ms Wynn was dismayed to discover statistics showing that NSW pre-schoolers are being let down.
‘Currently the average fee for NSW pre-schools is around $30/day, when the average cost in other states is around $5/day’, said Ms Wynn.
At one of the 100 Department of Education pre-schools, parents queued from 4.30am to secure a place, they could afford, for their child.
As a result only 59% of eligible pre-school children attend pre-school in NSW compared to over 90% attendance in other states.
This is because the 800 NSW community pre-schools are chronically under-funded and based on the absurd model of the user pay system, allowing the most disadvantaged and vulnerable to fall through the cracks.
The Greens policy supports free pre-school for all children for two years before they enter primary school to help ensure they are as best prepared to succeed in the education system.
Photo Opportunities with Sue Wynn and a local pre-school teacher are available upon request.
For further information, contact Sue Wynn on:
Phone 4359 1481
Mobile 0431 637 643
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Media Release
Media Release
7 February 2007
DESALINATION
Desalination will not solve the water shortage
Sue Wynn, Greens candidate for Swansea has joined Greens Upper House candidate Dr John Kaye in opposing the expensive and ineffective solution of desalination plants to solve the drastic shortage of water in the Central Coast section of the Swansea electorate.
Ms Wynn said, “Premier Iemma’s decision to go ahead with the desalination option if elected appears to be in contravention of expert opinion and community opposition to desalination as an expensive, greenhouse intensive and ineffective option.
“The ‘mobile’ desalination plants proposed for the Central Coast could become permanent features on beaches. Treated effluent is poured into the ocean at Norah Head. Water will then be drawn from the ocean to desalinate 2 kilometres down the coast at Magenta Shores. The cost of producing water using mobile desalination units has been estimated at $4/kilolitre.
“Highly concentrated salt water from the proposed desalination plant at Vales Point Power Station will go through the sewerage system to the outfall at Norah Head and could lead to the corrosion of the sewer pipes.
“The Greens are committed to long term solutions to the water crisis. We call on the State Government to provide emergency funds for subsidising water tanks, on site recycling systems, and the installation and maintenance of on-site grey water treatment. These solutions can be financed by cancelling expensive projects like mobile desalination units and the Tillegra Dam.”
Ms Wynn said, “10 000 rainwater tanks plumbed into households will save the same amount of water as a desalination plant produces. Tanks create no green house gas emissions once made and create no ongoing costs to produce the water.
The Greens’ water plan focuses on cost effective and environmentally friendly options that will help to guarantee a secure water supply for the region.
The Greens community solutions water package includes:
Cancelling the so-called ‘temporary, mobile’ desalination plants and Tillegra dam. (Savings: $351 million capital costs plus $ 14.6 m each year operating costs)
State government funding to increase existing water tank rebates & encourage greater uptake ($75 million over four years).
Subsidies to pay for the cost and maintenance of on-site and local grey water treatment. ($75 million over four years, plus $10 million over four year’s maintenance).
Working with other state governments to ban the sale of inefficient appliances like top loading washing machines
For further information:
Sue Wynn Phone 4359 1481 Mobile 0431 637 643
7 February 2007
DESALINATION
Desalination will not solve the water shortage
Sue Wynn, Greens candidate for Swansea has joined Greens Upper House candidate Dr John Kaye in opposing the expensive and ineffective solution of desalination plants to solve the drastic shortage of water in the Central Coast section of the Swansea electorate.
Ms Wynn said, “Premier Iemma’s decision to go ahead with the desalination option if elected appears to be in contravention of expert opinion and community opposition to desalination as an expensive, greenhouse intensive and ineffective option.
“The ‘mobile’ desalination plants proposed for the Central Coast could become permanent features on beaches. Treated effluent is poured into the ocean at Norah Head. Water will then be drawn from the ocean to desalinate 2 kilometres down the coast at Magenta Shores. The cost of producing water using mobile desalination units has been estimated at $4/kilolitre.
“Highly concentrated salt water from the proposed desalination plant at Vales Point Power Station will go through the sewerage system to the outfall at Norah Head and could lead to the corrosion of the sewer pipes.
“The Greens are committed to long term solutions to the water crisis. We call on the State Government to provide emergency funds for subsidising water tanks, on site recycling systems, and the installation and maintenance of on-site grey water treatment. These solutions can be financed by cancelling expensive projects like mobile desalination units and the Tillegra Dam.”
Ms Wynn said, “10 000 rainwater tanks plumbed into households will save the same amount of water as a desalination plant produces. Tanks create no green house gas emissions once made and create no ongoing costs to produce the water.
The Greens’ water plan focuses on cost effective and environmentally friendly options that will help to guarantee a secure water supply for the region.
The Greens community solutions water package includes:
Cancelling the so-called ‘temporary, mobile’ desalination plants and Tillegra dam. (Savings: $351 million capital costs plus $ 14.6 m each year operating costs)
State government funding to increase existing water tank rebates & encourage greater uptake ($75 million over four years).
Subsidies to pay for the cost and maintenance of on-site and local grey water treatment. ($75 million over four years, plus $10 million over four year’s maintenance).
Working with other state governments to ban the sale of inefficient appliances like top loading washing machines
For further information:
Sue Wynn Phone 4359 1481 Mobile 0431 637 643
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Greens preselect candidate for Swansea
The Newcastle Greens local group has pre-selected Sue Wynn as The Greens candidate for Swansea in the March 2007 State election.
“An important local issue for Swansea is the mismanagement and over-development of our pristine coastline. One of these is the proposed Catherine Hill Bay development that has been ‘called-in’ by the Planning Minister, Mr Sartor, over-riding community concerns and court decisions,” said Sue Wynn.
“The key election issues for The Greens include clean energy solutions to global warming, quality public health including dental health, transport and education services, sustainable and integrated water management, protecting the natural and built environment with proper local planning and workers’ rights.
“There are many issues we need to address but the most urgent and critical is that of climate change. A large part of the Swansea Electorate is currently suffering from a critical lack of water and is on level 4 water restrictions with dams at 13.5%. We need sustainable and integrated water management in our region.
“Talk of developing clean coal or introducing nuclear power is a diversion. We need to invest in, and implement, clean, sustainable energies.
“The Greens offer voters a genuine alternative and the opportunity to send a powerful message to the Sydney Labor Government, and a Coalition that is now dominated by extreme right wing elements. One of our key objectives in this campaign is to help increase the number of Greens in the Upper House of State Parliament. We are confident Greens MP, Lee Rhiannon, will be re-elected, and that Dr John Kaye will also be elected,” said Sue Wynn.
Lee Rhiannon said, “I am looking forward to campaigning with Sue in Swansea. The Greens candidates, standing in the Upper House and in Lower House seats, are working to restore public services, protect the environment and make the government more accountable to the people of NSW.”
Sue Wynn grew up in Cabramatta and has lived on Lake Macquarie since 1978. Married, with 3 adult children, Sue has had an extensive career in public education in both teaching and management positions, including being a Maths teacher at Northlakes High School for 14 years. Sue has extensive local knowledge of issues affecting the electorate and the impact these have on the Swansea electorate’s constituents and will work hard to be a good local member.
“An important local issue for Swansea is the mismanagement and over-development of our pristine coastline. One of these is the proposed Catherine Hill Bay development that has been ‘called-in’ by the Planning Minister, Mr Sartor, over-riding community concerns and court decisions,” said Sue Wynn.
“The key election issues for The Greens include clean energy solutions to global warming, quality public health including dental health, transport and education services, sustainable and integrated water management, protecting the natural and built environment with proper local planning and workers’ rights.
“There are many issues we need to address but the most urgent and critical is that of climate change. A large part of the Swansea Electorate is currently suffering from a critical lack of water and is on level 4 water restrictions with dams at 13.5%. We need sustainable and integrated water management in our region.
“Talk of developing clean coal or introducing nuclear power is a diversion. We need to invest in, and implement, clean, sustainable energies.
“The Greens offer voters a genuine alternative and the opportunity to send a powerful message to the Sydney Labor Government, and a Coalition that is now dominated by extreme right wing elements. One of our key objectives in this campaign is to help increase the number of Greens in the Upper House of State Parliament. We are confident Greens MP, Lee Rhiannon, will be re-elected, and that Dr John Kaye will also be elected,” said Sue Wynn.
Lee Rhiannon said, “I am looking forward to campaigning with Sue in Swansea. The Greens candidates, standing in the Upper House and in Lower House seats, are working to restore public services, protect the environment and make the government more accountable to the people of NSW.”
Sue Wynn grew up in Cabramatta and has lived on Lake Macquarie since 1978. Married, with 3 adult children, Sue has had an extensive career in public education in both teaching and management positions, including being a Maths teacher at Northlakes High School for 14 years. Sue has extensive local knowledge of issues affecting the electorate and the impact these have on the Swansea electorate’s constituents and will work hard to be a good local member.
Media Release: Susan Wynn, Greens Candidate for Swansea
Susan Wynn grew up in Cabramatta and studied Mathematics at Newcastle Teacher’s College. Sue began her teaching career in 1975 at Cootamundra High School, followed by country and urban service and twelve months overseas, before marrying and settling in Mannering Park in 1978.
Sue continued her career in education while raising three children. She taught Mathematics at Northlakes High School for 14 years. During this time she returned to the University of Newcastle and completed a Bachelor of Education (Mathematics) in 1992.
Sue has held a number of management positions in education as District and Regional Mathematics Consultant, Head Teacher (Mathematics and Welfare) and Board of Studies Liaison Officer. Sue completed her career as the Deputy Principal at West Wallsend High School
Sue has been committed to fostering excellence through public education all her working life. She knows the problems of a system that is chronically under-funded, under-resourced and under-valued. She is passionate about seeing public education restored as one of the cornerstones of a just and civil society. Having grown up in Cabramatta and as a recipient of the then Commonwealth scholarships, Sue knows the value of a quality education, particularly to people from a disadvantaged social or economic background.
Sue, together with her husband, has worked hard at raising her children. She understands the issues of social isolation, and lack of services and public transport that go with living in a small community on Lake Macquarie.
Sue joined Newcastle Greens largely due to her strong support for the Greens’ principles of social and economic justice, grassroots democracy, peace and non violence, disarmament, and ecological sustainability.
She supports the Greens’ socially just policies. She believes the Greens’ sustainable energy policies are a practical response to the looming threat of climate change, as distinct from the lip service and band-aid solutions of the other parties. She supports the Greens’ strong opposition to over development and the usurping of planning powers by the NSW Labor Government, a growing concern in Lake Macquarie.
Sue believes that Greens principles, policies and parliamentarians exert a positive influence both in parliament and in the community. She looks forward to playing her part in increasing that influence.
Sue continued her career in education while raising three children. She taught Mathematics at Northlakes High School for 14 years. During this time she returned to the University of Newcastle and completed a Bachelor of Education (Mathematics) in 1992.
Sue has held a number of management positions in education as District and Regional Mathematics Consultant, Head Teacher (Mathematics and Welfare) and Board of Studies Liaison Officer. Sue completed her career as the Deputy Principal at West Wallsend High School
Sue has been committed to fostering excellence through public education all her working life. She knows the problems of a system that is chronically under-funded, under-resourced and under-valued. She is passionate about seeing public education restored as one of the cornerstones of a just and civil society. Having grown up in Cabramatta and as a recipient of the then Commonwealth scholarships, Sue knows the value of a quality education, particularly to people from a disadvantaged social or economic background.
Sue, together with her husband, has worked hard at raising her children. She understands the issues of social isolation, and lack of services and public transport that go with living in a small community on Lake Macquarie.
Sue joined Newcastle Greens largely due to her strong support for the Greens’ principles of social and economic justice, grassroots democracy, peace and non violence, disarmament, and ecological sustainability.
She supports the Greens’ socially just policies. She believes the Greens’ sustainable energy policies are a practical response to the looming threat of climate change, as distinct from the lip service and band-aid solutions of the other parties. She supports the Greens’ strong opposition to over development and the usurping of planning powers by the NSW Labor Government, a growing concern in Lake Macquarie.
Sue believes that Greens principles, policies and parliamentarians exert a positive influence both in parliament and in the community. She looks forward to playing her part in increasing that influence.
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