For an engaged and informed community

For immediate release, Thursday September 1, 2011

A Community Voice led council would utilise open, community public meetings and local referenda to encourage an engaged and informed community. Jess Moore, Community Voice candidate for ward 1, stated:

'We want to create a city where all people are informed and engaged. An inclusive and democratic city.

'Council decisions will be open and transparent. All Council meetings - including sub-committees and other extraordinary meetings - will be recorded and made publicly available.

'To facilitate greater community involvement, regular public meetings will be organised to debate and decide on important issues that affect the community’s quality of life, such as major development applications and the council budget.

'If necessary, local referenda should be utilised so the community can decide on important and controversial issues. For example, if signatures from 10% of the Local Government Area population are received, a referendum would be triggered.

'The best way to wipe out corruption is to deepen democracy in the community', Moore concluded.

Thirroul Men's Shed should be supported

* MEDIA RELEASE *

Tuesday August 30 - The Thirroul Men's Shed (TMS) has been seeking a suitable space or land in the Northern Illawarra from Wollongong City Council since last year. Jess Moore, Community Voice candidate for Ward 1 stated:

"Men's Sheds play a vital social role, particularly in communities with high unemployment like Wollongong.

"All candidates should commit to working with and supporting the Thirroul Men's Shed. It's a commitment to put community building and health and well-being first.

“It’s a commitment to ensure their vital role in the community continues, regardless of the election outcome.

"A full list of Council owned properties, their current usage, and any lease agreements should be made public. This could help community groups find existing facilities that are suitable and available.

Thirroul Men’s Shed have found suitable land at McCauley Park in Thirroul, categorized as 'community land', that they requested under public submission in May this year. They have still not had a response from the Administrators.

"The Thirroul Men's Shed is exactly the kind of thing Council property or community land should be used for."

For a Council that Prioritises Public Transport

** MEDIA RELEASE **

Wednesday August 24, 2011 - Community Voice candidates stand for a Council that makes improved public transport part of city planning, and fights for state government investment to achieve this.

"Wollongong needs a better public transport network, to take pressure off ever increasing traffic congestion, combat parking problems, and reduce travel time and stress" said Jess Moore, Community Voice candidate for Ward 1.

"Public transport in the region has been neglected. Resources have been put into roads, yet the train to Sydney is slower today than it was 40 years ago."

"This is a nightmare given the number of people who must travel to Sydney for work as a result of the lack of local job opportunities."

"We need a Council that fights for state investment in local public transport solutions, and to de-prioritise roads and related infrastructure in our region."

"We need to extend the free Green Bus north & south, and establish a 1 hour Wollongong to Sydney rail service," said Ms Moore.

"This means directing resources, planning for public transport and transport links, completing the Maldon-Dombarton to free up the existing rail line for greater use by commuters, and increasing free or low cost services to encourage use."

Within a year of introducing free bus fares in the Belgian city of Hasselt, patronage increased by over 870%, now over 1000%.

"The experience in Hasselt shows that the cost of free and expanded public transport is more than offset by other gains. For example, the costs of air pollution, car accidents, and road maintenance – not to mention the benefits to well-being and the environment."

State, federal and local government must act to combat Bluescope sackings

For immediate release: August 22, 2011

Today's announcement of 800 job losses at Bluescope Steel's Port Kembla plant requires state, federal and local government to work with the community to help avoid deepening the region's unemployment crisis. Jess Moore, Community Voice candidate for Ward 1 stated:

"This announcement puts the livelihood of many in our community at risk, at a time when unemployment is already far too high.

"The community and all levels of government must work together to develop a people-centred local economic strategy. We need a focus on local job creation to meet social needs, such as investment in public transport, community health and education.

"There is a dire need to change the government's approach from reactive to proactive, and to diversify the local economy and investment."

Adrrianne Talbot-Thomson, Community Voice candidate for Ward 3 added:

"Local government must work with small business and social enterprise ventures.

"We need to create an Office of Sustainability and Economic Development to encourage investment in sustainable jobs.

"We need to strengthen local employment partnerships with resources provided by councils, business, unions, schools, universities and state and federal governments."

Why are the walls shaking?

** MEDIA RELEASE **

Friday August 19, 2011 - The authorities must come clean with Stanwell Tops and Helensburgh residents over mysterious explosions that have been shaking their walls, according to Jess Moore, Community Voice Ward 1 candidate.

“Explosion have been occurring in excess of 20 per day at times, and no-one will tell residents why,” said Moore.

“These explosions intensified in March to May this year and have started again this month.”

“It’s outrageous that the people of Stanwell Tops and Helensburgh are subject to such an abuse of their rights.”

“Residents have contacted Wollongong City Council and local state and federal MPs. Council referred them to the state government who could not provide an explanation.”

“They’ve been told it’s not the Holsworthy Army Base, Peabody Metropolitan Coal, trackwork or geological instability.”

“What’s causing the explosions and how can something this invasive happen without residents knowledge?

“Is it seismic testing for coal seam gas mining in the region, that is so opposed by the community?

“Council has a responsibility to investigate, provide answers and take action to protect local residents,” said Moore.

CV to decide preferences this Saturday!

This Saturday Community Voice will decide on its preferences in all three wards and for mayor. In keeping with CV's approach to decision making, the entire membership will discuss and then vote on the final list.

The meeting will take place at 2pm this Saturday August 20 at the Corrimal Community Centre. For more information please contact our campaign manager Tim Dobson on Tim 0430 209 865.

For more information please visit the event's Facebook page or the CV website.

Election leaflet hot off the press!

Community Voice's campaign leaflet is ready to go, we're aiming to letterbox every single house in the Wollongong Local Government Area (LGA).

If you can help us letterbox in your local area please contact Tim (0430 209 865 or timdobson@gmail.com) who can provide you with leaflets, maps etc.

Huge thanks to Jess and Paola who produced the leaflet!

We made a splash in Thirroul on Sunday August 14, distributing over 4000 leaflets and doorknocking several streets.

The main issues people wanted to discuss included community democracy, sustainable development, public transport and public space.

Leading Stop CSG campaigners to contest Council elections

** MEDIA RELEASE **

Tuesday August 9, 2011 - Founding members of Stop Coal Seam Gas Illawarra, Jess Moore and Chris Williams (both pictured), are standing with Community Voice as Ward 1 candidates in the forthcoming Wollongong City Council elections.

"Residents are concerned about coal seam gas mining and the mounting evidence about its impact on drinking water, health and the environment” said Ms Moore.

"Under the Administrators, Wollongong City Council rezoned Sydney Catchment Authority land west of the escarpment to permit coal seam gas mining there. They did this on request from the NSW Department of Mineral Resources and despite community opposition”.

"It's outrageous that the Administrators made a decision to assist the approvals, rather than inform - and be directed by - the community.”

"In May this year, the Neighbourhood Forums unanimously called on Council to declare Wollongong a CSG free zone, but were told it was not a Council issue. This is not only hypocritical, given the rezoning, but a dismissal of legitimate and widespread community concern”, said Ms Moore.

"Council should be directed by the community, not vested interests."

"On May 29 over 3000 people spelt out their opposition to CSG at Austinmer beach – one of the biggest community actions ever held in this area,” said Mr Williams.

Community Voice will be a strong voice on Council for a moratorium on coal seam gas mining in the region.

Community Voice stands FULL TICKET

Jess talks to WIN TV about coal seam gas

Ward 1 team finalised!

At a meeting at the Port Kembla Leagues Club on Sunday July 31, Community Voice preselected Lewis Wilson (pictured) and Frances Burnham to join Jess Moore and Chris Williams on the Ward 1 ticket.

Lewis is 22 and has lived in the northern suburbs all his life. He currently resides in Thirroul, and works full time as a social research associate and cartographer. Lewis is active in Stop CSG Illawarra and is a member of Austinmer Surf Life Saving Club and the Wollongong Lions AFL club. Lewis believes local council should operate in the interest of local community and supports a number of community initiatives such as Port Kembla community garden.

Frances, a long term resident of Wollongong, works as a stock-hand and artist. She believes we need a community based democracy that is committed to build a sustainable city for future generations.

CV chooses candidates

An enthusiastic group of community campaigners was chosen to run for the September 3 council elections in Wollongong.

About 100 people attended the preselection meeting for Community Voice at Thirroul Community Centre on July 24. CV was formed about a month ago.

The process was simple, democratic and transparent — values at the core of CV’s platform. Part of the reason for the formation of CV was to bring a community focus to council, standing against the entrenched corruption of local politics that culminated in the sacking of Wollongong council in 2008.

Unaccountable appointees of the former NSW Labor government have run the council since.

For full article click here.

Mayoral preselection and fundraiser THIS SUNDAY

Community Voice will hold a major social and fundraiser event this Sunday, 5pm at Port Kembla Leagues club as well as pre-select its mayoral candidate for the September council elections.

The organisers are inviting the entire Illawarra community to come and meet our council candidates and the mayoral nominees, as well as vote in the mayoral pre-selection.

This major meet and greet event is not only for Community Voice members but also their families and friends, and anyone else who is interested in participating in community democracy.

For details click here.

Candidates pre-selected for Community Voice!

Community Voice launched!

Community Voice platform

The core values which we share are to develop a people centred, creative and respectful culture and a city where we all have the opportunity to thrive!

Community participation and democracy

• We will create a city where all people are informed and engaged. An inclusive and democratic city. Council decisions will be open and transparent. A City to emphasise our indigenous and multicultural history. A city that provides infrastructure and services to meet community needs. We will deepen community democracy.
• All Council meetings and decisions will be recorded and made publicly available.
• Reinstate free and open Council documents to residents.
• Support Neighbourhood Forums to become central in decision-making, with a community voice in planning, budgeting, decision-making and strategic direction.
• Councillors will be required to attend their Neighbourhood Forum.
• The community will be well informed and have a say in important, controversial issues, such as the Sandon Point development.
• People driven initiatives will be supported in the cultural and economic life of Wollongong such as community centres gardens, and youth centres

Job creation

We have one of the Australia’s highest rates of unemployment, particularly among young people. Community Voice will work with others to build a new economy. Council will create real and green jobs through a people centred local economic development strategy. Community Voice will:

• Focus on small business and social enterprise ventures, including renewable energy, and affordable housing.
• Diversify the economy towards dynamic and low carbon businesses
• Represent people’s interests in fighting for a major increase in public and community transport, community health and education.
• Support industry networks to substantially boost the Green Jobs Initiative.

Sustainability

• Council will develop a Wollongong Sustainable Futures Plan and:
• Ensure plans and zones protect the Illawarra Escarpment, foreshore, harbour, parks, beaches and bushland with clear, inflexible zoning.
• Increase resources to manage the escarpment and work towards the establishment of a regional escarpment park.
• Work with the community to oppose coal seam gas mining in the region.
• Establish an Office of Sustainable Development and Economy
• Investment in community oriented infrastructure in public spaces
• Lobby for a 1 hour rail service from Wollongong to Sydney and extend the Green Shuttle Bus service.

Community Driven Visionary Planning

• Planning will flow from an interactive and informed community, where the uniqueness of each suburb is recognised, protected and developed. Council will:
• Take its lead from the Neighbourhood Forums and Precinct forums, taking into account planning, social, environmental and economic factors.
• Promote and facilitate access to all information about private and government development proposals
• Maximise participation in city-life and build the local economy by supporting social and cultural hubs, public space and a city centre that is vibrant, accessible and affordable.
• Improve and extend sporting facilities that assist a healthy lifestyle.
• Ensure infrastructure is built for extreme weather, including flooding.
• Advocate tirelessly with state and federal governments on behalf of our regional interests and sustainable development