Millers Point

Friday, 29 May 2015

Community Working Party Newsletter

Where We Are At…..

DOWNLOAD MAY 2015 NEWSLETTER

There has been some feedback that there are residents who do not know what the Community Working Party is doing.  

We, the Working Party, are a bit like ducks—looking cool and calm floating along the surface but paddling madly under the water!  

Working to engage with politicians is a slow process and it is important that we take each step with care.

We also working on plans for future activities to gather information, public attention and media support.

We follow up on residents’ concerns and hold regular meetings with representatives from the Redfern Legal Service (RLS) who have been very supportive and positive in their approach to our dilemma.

We are also encouraging the Friends of Millers Point to spread the word through other organisations about our housing plight and seeking wider public support.
We encourage residents to attend all the public meetings that are held in the community. You not only get the chance to hear what is happening but also have the opportunity to ask questions. Bring your neighbour along.

If you need transport to get to the Centre ring Marcia on 9241 2875 and we will see what we can do.

We are a Community -let’s stay together!
Community Working Party Newsletter

Meeting with the Minister
The Hon. Brad Hazzard MP is the Minister for Family and Community Services, and Minister for Social Housing. Unlike his two predecessors he has indicated a willingness to meet with community representatives and has ex-pressed in various interviews his willingness to consider alternatives for the elderly in the Millers Point community.

On Radio 2UE he said: “Mike Baird’s given me the very clear two priorities of care and compassion…

In the SMH he has been quoted as saying: “I’m not ruling out trying to get more

Public housing in and around the Millers Point area and …. The CBD because there are lots of older residents who’ve been in that area for a long time” he said adding that moving was a “tough ask”.

Representatives from the Working Party, accompanied by Flo Seckold will be meeting with the Minister in Friday 22 May, 2015.

We are particularly appreciative of the work that our Local Member Alex Greenwich has put into bringing about the meeting with the Minister Alex with the Lord Mayor, Deputy Lord Mayor and Chief Executive Officer of the City of Sydney Council will also be attending the meeting.

We hope to be able to re-port a positive outcome from this initial discussion at a public meeting and look forward to the community having the opportunity to talk with the Minister in Millers Point in the near future.

It is a refreshing change to have a Minister who will communicate face-to-face with the residents and listen to the issues and options.
Sydney City Council

We must acknowledge the excellent support we are given by the Harry Jensen Centre staff. They have been wonderful! Their service to the residents is an important part of community life in Millers Point.

The Centre and the Abraham Mott Hall have been important to the community in our battle. We have held public meetings, had 40 guests to Working Party meetings, made a major submission to the Government’s Discussion paper, held barbecues and had a super Spring Picnic last September. Our weekly Working Party meetings and occasional weekend planning meetings need a central space and the Centre has met those needs.

The support given by the City of Sydney Council - Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Deputy Lord Mayor Robyn Kemmis and the Councillors with the Chief Executive Officer Monica Barone and her many helpful staff members - continues to be greatly appreciated. The situation so far would have been difficult to survive without their support.

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