Wollongong byelection: candidates' stance on big issues

Responses (published in ballot paper order) were received from:

No responses were received from Joe Rossi (Shooters, Fishers, Farmers Party).

Wollongong-Shellharbour council merger

PAUL SCULLY (LABOR)

NSW Labor has no problems supporting voluntary council mergers, but we oppose forced mergers.

The next state Labor government will legislate to allow voluntary demergers, but we will not force demergers on local communities.

Any community wishing to de-merge will need to provide two key pieces of evidence to an independent Boundaries Commission, established along the lines of the recommendations of the Independent Local Government Review Panel.

An evidence-based, community–backed submission must be prepared by the proponents showing why they should return to pre-amalgamation boundaries, including a detailed estimate of financial costs.

They will also need to present a petition of support signed by at least 20 per cent of the voting population in the area proposed to be de-merged.

This involves a petition covering the former council area seeking to be de-merged, not the whole area of the amalgamated council.

COLLEEN BAXTER (CDP) 

I do not support this merger between Wollongong and Shellharbour councils due to vast area and growing population especially in Shellharbour area.

This would result in delays in services and inquiries to the people with more red tape for service to the public.

It is vital that services which people pay to council are provided in a prompt and efficient manner, dealing with people with local knowledge and genuine personal interest in the district within which they serve.

The merger would stifle a lot of grass roots rate payers’ services.

CDP MLC Paul Green chaired the inquiry into forced amalgamations and the recommendation handed down was that one size does not fit all.

GORDON BRADBERY (IND)

I was opposed to this, based on economic, social and business reasoning.

As I’ve said previously, even though I don’t think the numbers stack up, I think the government has focused on us because Wollongong and Shellharbour are Labor-dominated areas.

Many of the argued efficiencies can be achieved through the Illawarra Joint Organisation of Councils (IJO) which is already operating.

I am Chair of the IJO and the model is able to achieve many of the proposed outcomes from a merger.

CATH BLAKEY (GREENS)

The Greens support local grassroot democracy, and oppose the forced mergers of Councils.

I am concerned it will mean job losses and cuts to council services.

Wollongong City Council was found to be “fit for the future” under the Baird government criteria, so why is it facing a forced merger?  

What’s the Premier’s agenda behind sacking 45 councils and appointing 19 hand-picked, unelected and unaccountable council administrators?

It’s costing NSW taxpayers and ratepayers at least $590 million, without even including the cost of court challenges.

The fact that forced amalgamations arn’t going ahead in Liberal seats shows that it’s political gerrymandering.

Will the Baird government force business voting on a merged Wollongong Council, like they have in City of Sydney?

In September, 23,000 businesses with 2 votes each voted in the City of Sydney election.

Make no mistake, a bigger council will make it easier for property developers to influence development decision.

Mandated use of Australian-made steel in government infrastructure projects

PAUL SCULLY (LABOR)

I understand that steel is as much a part of our community’s future as it has been its history.

The NSW Government has a crucial role to play in the future of our steel and manufacturing industries.

Labor has a bill before the NSW Parliament which would implement its policy to require at least 90 per cent local steel that meets Australian standards and certification to be used in every public infrastructure project.

Labor’s commitment to building infrastructure across the state will provide a continued economic benefit to the Illawarra region.

Additionally, we will establish a Steel Industry Advocate, located in Wollongong, to ensure steel standards are complied with and help explore new opportunities for steel and metal manufacturing by working with local stakeholders to develop the Green Jobs Illawarra Project.

COLLEEN BAXTER (CDP) 

Budgeting is a major aspect of any construction and building projects but it is also vital that quality not be compromised by outsourcing products which are available on our doorstep.

I fully endorse the use of Australian steel especially in major infrastructure and all buildings, as it endorses the high quality that our country demands for safety and sustainability.

GORDON BRADBERY (IND) 

I agree that as much Australian-made steel as is feasibly possible should be used in government infrastructure projects.

I believe a mandated minimum would be a sound move to sustain an industry that I believe has strategic significance on par with petroleum refining capacity which is under threat.

CATH BLAKEY (GREENS)

The Greens’ Steel Protection Bill passed the NSW upper house in August 2016, with support from the opposition and crossbench.

The Greens advocate for the use of Australian made steel in all government funded infrastructure, to keep our local steelworks in operation where there are pollution controls and workplace safety.

Steel is key to building the renewable energy and public transport infrastructure that our community desperately needs, as well as keeping skilled manufacturing jobs here in Wollongong.

The Greens are working with local steel unions to ensure that the Liberal government is held to account: Why would they rather see Wollongong’s dole queues extended, instead of taking cost-effective action to buy Australian made?

The Greens’ NSW Steel Protection Bill is based on legislation from Illinois and Detroit, USA.

The Greens are keeping the pressure up in federal parliament to stop the Trans Pacific Partnerships preventing steel public procurement.

Access lifts at Unanderra railway station 

PAUL SCULLY (LABOR)

Residents are sick of having to travel to other stations for full access to public transport. It has been regularly raised as I have been speaking with people in the area.

Proper access for users of Unanderra station is long overdue and I am determined to make sure that the lifts at Unanderra station are built.

The Baird Government expects us to wait until 2022 and that is simply not good enough.

Labor has a fully-funded commitment to build the lifts, with funds to be made available in the first budget of a Foley Labor Government.

I will work with the community to shame the Baird Government into matching this commitment and get the work started.

The Baird Government have installed lifts at stations throughout Sydney which, by any measure, are less deserving and community pressure must be maintained to shame them into action at Unanderra.

COLLEEN BAXTER (CDP) 

I endorse the installation of lifts at Unanderra railway station, as public transport is for public use, which includes those who are mobility challenged.

This issue has been in the media for quite some time and it is time to act instead of just speak.

GORDON BRADBERY (IND) 

This goes without saying.

I noted in a recent Illawarra Mercury article, a reference to one of the organisers of the Unanderra Access Group (Mr Kramer), stating that he had been campaigning for disability access at Unanderra station for 25 years.

Coincidentally, the Labor Party have held this seat for exactly 25 years. For 16 of those years they actually held government.

So why didn’t they do it then? 16 years worth of opportunities to set this wrong right, and they didn’t do it.

I will fight hard for this. I will advocate for this, and let our State Parliament know exactly the way disability access should be delivered everywhere, but particularly at public venues…as a basic human right.

CATH BLAKEY (GREENS)

Over 80 stairs confront people with wheelchairs, limited mobility, prams, luggage and bikes at Unanderra train station.

Installing lifts is a significant issue that has been ignored for too long.

In 2005, under Labor, lifts were installed at Bulli train station. Bulli already had street-level platforms and ramps. 

The success of the Green bus highlights how popular public transport is, when it is made free, fast and frequent.

It keeps the population mobile and cuts emissions and traffic jams. Not only should trains have accessible platforms, but they they should also be fast, efficient and modern, with power points to charge electronic devices and free WiFi.

Meanwhile, the old parties both backed the $16.8 billion Westconnex toll road, draining significant public funding.

The Greens will continue to push for more sustainable and future oriented transport spending, and hold government to account on election promises to install lifts at Unanderra train station.

WIN Entertainment Centre upgrade

PAUL SCULLY (LABOR)

Tourism is already a major economic driver for the region with domestic and international visitors supporting thousands of local jobs.

I want to see WIN Entertainment Centre upgraded and Labor has committed $50 million to this project.

This will see it upgraded to the second largest convention and entertainment centre of its type in NSW. This investment will also include a contribution to improving parking in the area.

An upgraded convention and entertainment centre is expected to attract an additional 40,000 visitors a year, injecting an additional $12 million a year in economic activity.

In addition to jobs in construction, it is expected that an additional 287 ongoing jobs will be created across a range of hospitality and events business.

An upgraded WIN Entertainment and Convention Centre will be the centrepiece of the Illawarra fostering our tourism offerings.

COLLEEN BAXTER (CDP) 

I support the WIN Entertainment upgrade after budgeting for some improvements to our local health system.

Tourism and our future economy would receive a much needed boost with this upgrade, especially with cruise ships docking at Port Kembla, thus bringing potentially thousands into our beautiful city.

A variety of tours must be available to the passengers and the docking of such ships preferably coincide with significant shows / performances, so liaison with cruise companies etc will be required.

GORDON BRADBERY (IND) 

I led the joint MOU [memorandum of understanding] and have relentlessly pushed the major parties to show interest in this project.

It is only now that Labor fears losing this seat, that it is actually in play, and have pledged support without waiting for the business case details because they know they can't deliver while in opposition

As a city we are finally attracting significant events and conferences. We need a modern venue with the capacity to cater to these needs, and which will allow us to expand our offering as a destination for events, conferences and functions.

The recent arrival of the passenger ship, Radiance Of The Seas, highlighted the need for more tourism investment like the Wollongong Harbour masterplan. I have now secured a commitment for this work to commence, from the State Government.

Wollongong is now a tourism hotspot, a destination in its own right. It’s time Macquarie Street recognised this and gave us the support to advance this opportunity for employment and growth.

CATH BLAKEY (GREENS)

Wollongong needs investment, and $50 million needs to be spent wisely.

Upgrading the WIN Entertainment Centre must include improvements for public transport and park and ride shuttle services.

In 2012, $30 million was spent on the western grandstand which narrowed the road and reduced traffic flow around the venue. This building work should have been made with Australian steel and to standards appropriate for our coastal climate.

Let's try to make sure the roof doesn't blow off next time! Labor is touting $50 million on the WEC if they win government in 2019.

By that time, the $1 billion redeveloped Sydney Entertainment Centre will be open and operating.

I’m concerned that by 2019, the events market will have greatly shifted since Destination Wollongong’s modelling was conducted.

Already Wollongong has seen hotels have shut with Rydges turned in to a psychiatric hospital, the Ibis in to student accommodation.

We’ve just had UK super group Garbage cancel their WEC gig due to poor sales, and VenuesNSW report multimillion-dollar losses.

M1 Princes Motorway interchange at the base of Mount Ousley

PAUL SCULLY (LABOR)

Planning for this interchange is well underway and the Illawarra Labor team will hold the government to account on this project.

Labor will also hold the government to its commitment to build the Albion Park Rail bypass.

It is important that we have good infrastructure that links the Illawarra to the fast-growing areas of south-western and western Sydney where future opportunities exist.

That’s why as part of Labor’s Illawarra Jobs Action Plan we have proposed investments in upgrading Appin Road, upgrading the Masters/Springhill Road interchange and committing to a foundation investment in the Maldon-Dombarton rail link, working with the private sector to get it built.

Investing in transport links like these will improve the flow of local traffic and transport to and from the region, helping to deliver local jobs now and in the future.

COLLEEN BAXTER (CDP)

Mount Ousley is the primary road into the Wollongong region and since it is very close to our multi award-winning University of Wollongong, there needs to be a traffic calming state of the art entry to our city, with well managed heavy vehicle movement. 

The university attracts a large number of international students from around 150 countries, whose families come to visit.

This upgrade would create multiple local jobs and potentially draw more visitors for tourism and study, let alone benefit the many locals who commute to work out of the region.

GORDON BRADBERY (IND) 

Absolute no-brainer. Tens of thousands of motorists use this route daily.

The right hand turn from Mt Ousley Road to the M1 freeway creates incredible congestion, in some cases affecting traffic flow right back into Wollongong.

It is dangerous and congested and needs urgent attention without delay.

This is a major arterial road which should receive the significant investment it need from State AND Federal Governments with an appropriate interchange.

Upgrades to major local infrastructure, this one in particular, are one of my great priorities, should Wollongong hand me the right to fight on their behalf.

CATH BLAKEY (GREENS)

A interchange at the base of Mount Ousley will improve traffic safety. It’s also an opportunity to improve pedestrian and bicycle links to the university campus, and boost car-pooling out of Wollongong by expanding the commuter car parking.

At the moment, the state government has ear-marked $1 million just for planning, and we have no indication of construction budgets or timelines.  

However, the Mount Ousley interchange will not address the truck accidents on the Mount Ousley and the Picton Road that caused traffic chaos throughout Wollongong. Getting freight off the roads and on to the rail will.

Improving public transport to North Wollongong and the UOW campus will also reduce congestion around the base of Mount Ousley.

At the moment, 30 per cent of commuters to the main UOW campus get there by shuttle and the Green Bus service is at capacity.

Bus services from Wollongong to Campbelltown have tripled over recent years and they’re still full. Investing in public transport is the best way to ensure mobility amongst our growing population.