Vote 1 Jane Ward

A True Community Independent for Sydney

Voting Day : Saturday, 21st August 2010

Proper Planning

At local, state and federal levels, I have long seen the need for better planning, rather than ad-hoc, opportunistic and environmentally inappropriate decision-making. I participated in local and state community organisations for many years, my overwhelming experience being that resident groups are better planners than bureaucrats.

I advocate the streamlining of the planning process and a more genuine incorporation of residents' input within a national vision for a cosmopolitan Sydney that recognizes environmental characteristics and has an integrated plan for social needs and ecological sustainability.

Public open space is the highest social priority for the remaining foreshore areas. We need an end to the procrastination and stagnation, after decades of community action, inquiries, consultations and reports.

I oppose all environmentally insensitive over-developments including Lend Lease proposal at Barangaroo , and further west, theTigers and Carrier sites, the dryboat storage facility, and Bailey's. I seek pollution control on existing port functions and I oppose the granting of new long leases until there is master plan for all the innerwest bay areas.

I believe that the Cruise Terminal facility should stay at Darling Harbour. This is the best position for cruisers, residents and business.

I support federal and state funding for regional open space and I disapprove of the last minute electoral funding frenzy that thwarts careful consideration of allocations and planning. I oppose short term costly proposals such as the widening of the Iron Cove Bridge and the desalination plant. Stormwater capture and utilization is a superior and sustainable technology.

I oppose the M4 unless it and all transport tunnels are fully filtered and prioritise public transport and cycle ways. I support integrated urban public transport systems and a fast train link between major cities.

I support the establishment of a second airport away from densely populated suburbs, petrochemical and industrial plants.

To reduce ad hoc processes and increase the funding pool for sustainable and worthwhile projects and services, I support the cutting of government wastage, the capping of public electoral funding, the streamlining of bureaucracies and fixed three year term elections at all levels of government.