Surprise, Surprise Who Did I Bump Into Today?

Well today is a day that makes myself proud to be just myself! This is unusual for blogs to start this way, especially if we are talking about "why I love Mount Druitt"!

So talking about Mount Druitt I found someone else in Mount Druitt that lives and breaths Mount Druitt areas, lives in Rooty Hill and you are probably wondering who it is?

Here it is, The Hon. Member for Mount Druitt, Mr. Richard Amery, has been the Member of Mount Druitt since 1991 (1 year after I moved into the area) and has been a member of New South Wales Parliament since 1983 as a member of Riverstone.  He has been allocated responsibilities of Minister of Land, Water Conservation and Corrective Services. As a former Police Officer (before entering NSW Parliament), I thought Mr. Amery had served as a NSW Minister of Police. I now think he would be very experienced as a future NSW Premier, if the time came. Born in 1951 in Liverpool, this makes him a better experienced Western Sydney resident than myself.

So, I as I met Mr Richard Amery briefly today, he paid a few compliments to myself and that I didn't expect. He has know myself for the last 5 years or as a public transport activist and he has seen my recent change to being an individual community activist in the last 6 months or so.

He is such a nice gentleman. If fact, as you get to know a few politicians, a majority of them are hard working for the community following their faction and /or party political guidelines.

With a New South Wales State election around the corner next year, I have mixed feelings if he will contest the seat of Mount Druitt. Mr. Amery holds a 6.7% margin  in the seat from last election, there is a chance he could build on it increasing his majority, with factors like Liberal electing a new Premier, after the former Premier of NSW getting a few things moved in the State: Northwest Rail Link,  new electronic ticketing system, newer buses and trains in relation to public transport as well.

I understand he is talking to his family to consider his options, yet claims the last 3-4 years he has been happy, enjoys the work and learns, every day from within the community in how he providing improvements in the area. He has lived in his little house for many years, loves Mount Druitt area like myself and doesn't want to move out of the area also like myself.  He is another person that says, 'Why I love Mount Druitt....' I do hope he contests the seat, but that is up to the Labor Party.

I have heard of unconfirmed 'rumors' that Local Ward 4, Labor Blacktown City Councillor, Mr. Edmond Atalla, may be contesting the seat as a Labor Party candidate, from 2 different sources. Yet, I don't believe them until I hear of them as being confirmed by Mr. Richard Amery, himself.
  Mr. Amery has a strong following in the area and may be hard to beat. It would have to be a strong independent candidate to do so as Mount Druitt is one of the safest State Labor seats, in NSW.

In relation to Public Transport, Mr. Amery is concerned that Opal Cards cannot be topped up at Sydney Trains, train stations. To understand this, it can be understood if explained like this: In simple terms Sydney Trains is a 'Government Body' and Opal is a 
'Private  Company'. It would be a costly job for the NSW Government to take on the ticketing of the new electronic ticketing system, manage all transactions, keep customers happy, whilst explaining how to order and use the Opal Cards. This also is job creative with Opal having a 24 hour call centre.

So, if Sydney Trains Customer Service Officers, were selling Opal Cards or accepting money to 'Top Up' Opal Cards, they would have to be paid a commission as per the current retailers.

A Mount Druitt Sydney Trains spokesperson has indicated that other States using Electronic Ticketing on public transport, the tickets are not purchased at train stations or 'topped up' there.

Speaking to Mr. Amery, I have advise him of Opal Retailer lists in and around Mount Druitt Click here for lists of Opal Retailers
He asked, 'If the News Agent at the Mount Druitt train station is avaialable to "top up", yet?' as he was stating that it should  convenient for commuters and  the next best placed if it cannot be done at train stations.

I  replied, "Not at yet!" Yet, I have some good news for Mr. Amery and the people of Mount Druitt, it won't be long before the Opal Card will be able to be 'Topped Up" at the Mount  Druitt News Agency, as advised by the same Sydney Trains Mount Druitt spokesperson. Good and great news!

Well thee compliment Mr. Amery provided I take to heart as he stated that there isn't just him working in the area for improvements in our community, there is someone else doing this. He really likes the previous blogs I have on Mount Druitt  Commuters Improvement Group and the current new one Why I love Mount Druitt and the first one has been mentioned in  NSW State Parliament. He asked myself to keep up the good work!

For All The People In Mount Druitt That Celebrate The Passing Of Ramadan ' Happy EID'!

EID is celebrated by Muslims around the world after the month of Ramadan - 'Fasting during daylight hours for one month'. As Mount Druitt and surrounding suburbs is a place where people come from all around the world, from all different types of backgrounds, races and religions, I am pleased that of people respect & practice their own religion feastivatities, keeping their own faith.

I wish  every peaceful person- who has completed fasting in the month of Ramadan a 'Happy EID'!

In my religion, Catholic I do a temporary fast on meat on Fridays, allowed to eat fish.

Click here information on Ramadan

Check out Wikipedia Meaning for EID

Opal Fares Should Lower Fare Bands For Mount Druitt Commuters to Parramatta And Return In Realtion To Distances - Check Out The Facts!

I have found the West Pole at Parramatta train station that will now open up a few eyes and have people's heads scratching.

You have to refer to the previous blog here!
 
Then refer to the Parramatta East pole below located - approximately 10-15 metres from the end of the platform.

It reads 23.302 kms from Sydney.

Now the interesting question does Mount Druitt fit in the lower band of  10-20kms to Parramatta band Opal Card pricing?


Well it totally depends on the way you look at it. If you are a bureaucrat, you will defend the answer as many times as you want. A politician may make a decision based on votes or based on protecting the bureaucrat advice and accepting it. I am sure that there distance measured for the fares were a handshake deal with NSW for Transport and Opal.

So  what I have worked out is 2 scenarios and I think Mount Druitt have got the  lower fair band for distance from Mount Druitt to Parramatta and return. I will let you decide.

Technically when a Sydney train leaves Mount Druitt train station heading east to Parramatta train station, the point of leaving is the eastern end of the platform. Also technically, when a Sydney Train  enters Parramatta train station (from Mount Druitt),  the entry point of Parramatta train station is the west end of the Parramatta platform. So what am I trying to say and conclude?

It is so simple the East end of Mount Druitt platform (where Sydney Trains depart for Parrmatta), distance to Sydney is 43.236kms and the West end of Parramatta platform (the entry point for Sydney Trains from Mount Druitt), distance to Sydney is 23.302kms to Sydney. Therefor leaving the difference of 19.934km between these 2 train stations. 

SO MOUNT DRUITT MAKES THE OPAL CARD LOWER FARE BAND, NOW!

Now not forgetting both these signs are 10-15 metres away approximately from the actual end of the platforms, we have a further difference reduction of to at least 19.834kms- thus again we make the lower Opal  Fare band. Any stake holder saying this is wrong  may not have done there home work properly. Mount Druitt Commuters have a good case to claims reduction in fares with Opal.

Although the Opal consultant that I spoke was sympathetic towards assisting Mount Druitt commuters to  reach a resolution of a possible fare reduction charge, what we are asking is not impossible. Opal should now be considerate as they told me they don't check the distance they go off the distance from the My Multi tickets. The problem with this (and Opal is the life saver here) is that for a my Multi-Three ticket - that is what we had to pay to Parramatta from Mount Druitt - which was the same fare to the city. We now have an opportunity to publicize to the world what fair  fares Opal should give us for these trips to Parramatta. The Multi tickets were based on the measurements by Sydney Trains as per the pictured poles I have taken. I would now say the proof is in the pudding.

I would like to compliment the Opal consultant and her supervisor
 for recommending myself to discuss this matter with a media Advisor from Opal. I do understand doesn't have the power to make a decision there and then as it is out of their guidelines. At first, they were advising it is up to myself to refer to their online feedback and they don't take feedback. What I find you have to empower them to refer the matter on to their Executive  to get answers from everywhere. 

I suggest anyone that reads this blog refer to feedback to local State Members, feedback for Opal and 131500 as well as the NSW Minister of Transport.

Left pole Mount Druitt Train Station (East)

I will report on any feedback received to work voluntarily for the people of Mount Druitt. 
You can see by the left pole at Mount Druitt (East) Train Station pole and the distance to the end on the far platform.


 

When Will Commuters Be Fined For Smoking At Mount Druitt Train Station?

We know that there are signs everywhere in Mount Druitt train station but I think it is so ridiculous that commuters are not adhering to these laws of 'No Smoking' under the New South Wales - Smoke-Free Laws.

These people are arrogant and cannot not see the harm they provide to non-smokers. I personally think people should be photographed and referred to NSW Health to a list of offenders and then continual offenders. Each time they get caught and charged the fine is raised.

I haven't smoked for over 24 years and I detest people having no respect to other and puffing their smoke of cigarette deliberately 
on your face. I know it is a petty, but if this happens to me  it can be lethal, if it continues.

Cigarette is in his left hand of this commuter

Click here for 'Non-Smoking' details

Click For NSW Health Smoke-Free Laws 

Another Great Community Member from Oakhurst - Internet Speeds at Mount Druitt Library Slowest!

Mount Druitt Library

I met a  gentleman called "Sang' from Oakhurst, doesn't  wear watches or doesn't have any sort of Personal Computer at home, so he uses quite frequently Blacktown library facilities in Blacktown, Mount Druitt and Riverstone.

He  loves the facilities provided by the  current local Blacktown Council, except he has compared the speed the internet at each location and claims Mount Druitt has the slowest speed for receiving internet information, second Blacktown and the fastest is Riverstone Library.

I can check this out but if  any one wants to let us know and add comments, let us know. If any Council Office Officers or Councillors can investigate and report to us, so we can clear this matter.

Opal Card Retailers You Can "Top Up" In And Around Mount Druitt

 
Here are the the Retailers in Mount Druitt and Surrounding Suburbs, you can currently top up your Opal Card:

EMERTON

7-Eleven
Shop 1, 135-137 Popondetta Road, Emerton NSW 2770

Emerton Newsagency
Shop 10, Emerton Village, Bunting Street, Emerton NSW 2770

HASSALL GROVE
7-Eleven 
795 Luxford Road (Near Buckwell Drive), Hassall Grove 
NSW 2761

TSG Hassall
211 Buckwell Drive, Hassall Grove NSW 2761

MINCHINBURY
7-Eleven
1042 Great Western Highway (Corner of Rupertswood Avenue), Minchinbury NSW 2770

7-Eleven
2133 Great Western Highway, Michchinbury NSW 2770


MOUNT DRUITT
sShop 189-190 Westfield Shopping Centre Mount Druitt NSW 2770

7-Eleven 
Lot 6 Luxford Road Mount Druitt NSW 2770

Smoke and Sweets
2 Innes Crescent Mount Druitt NSW 2770

Mount Druitt News Agency
Shop 16 Westfield Shopping Centre Mount Druitt NSW 2770

7-Eleven
Shop 173 (Near North Parade) 
Westfield Shopping Centre Mount Druitt NSW 2770

PLUMPTON
 7-Eleven 
Corner of Richmond Roads & Dublin Street, Plumpton NSW 2761

ROOTY HILL
IGA
1 Rooty Hill Road, Rooty Hill NSW 2766

7-Eleven
Corner of Evans Road, Rooty Hill NSW 2766

Rooty Hill Food Barn
26 Rooty Hill Road, Rooty Hill

SHALVEY
Adam All Sorts
Shop 5 483 Luxford Road, Shalvey NSW 2770

WHALAN
Whalan Smokes, Gifts and Things
61 Bulolo Road, Whalan NSW 2770 

There are shopping suburbs that don't  have an Opal retailer as yet, so this is what we have at present. Spread the word as you may not know all shops you can top up with. We ask Councillors, State Members of Parliament, Council Officers, Bus Drivers  to promote these outlets.
 

Opal Card Price Bands - Mount Druitt Misses Out On Lower Price Band by 11-6 Metres Reaching Parramatta Train Station!

I have personally made some investigations and made a discovery 

Mount Druitt (West) train station distance to Sydney

that due to the the Fare Bands Opal say is set by NSW for Transport. Yet when I ring up NSW for Transport, they say it is set up by Opal.

Click here for Opal Train Fares 

On the right there are picture of  Sydney Rail distances to 
Sydney from designated poles along the Railway Line. "SL"
stands for Sydney Line.

Mount Druitt (Middle) train station distance to Sydney

 I have taken 3 pictures from Mount Druitt Train Station and 2 from Parramatta Train Station. What is intriguing is the distance from Mount Druitt to Parramatta is within the 2 10-20 and 20-35 Km bands.

Mount Druitt (East) Train Station distance to Sydney

In fact, according to the fare bands where opal measured distances between Mount Druitt and Parramatta train stations as 20.7Kms.  Yet, the best I can do in working out the distances from these poles is 20.071 Kms, as you can plainly see: 43.304 - 23.23 = 20.071Kms

Parramatta (Middle) Train Station distance to Sydney

This means if the train stations were 71 metres closer to each other, then and only then would the fares of both Parramatta and Mount Druitt commuters would be in the lower fairer band.

Parramatta (East) Train Station distance to Sydney

Just for your information: where the Mount Druitt (Wesst) distance pole, is probably placed 10-15 metres from the East end of the platform. The Parramatta (East) distance pole, is probably based 30-40 metres, from the East end of the platform. That would then mean the distance is reduced 60-65 metres less leaving the distance 11-6 metres. How close are we to qualify for the lower band?

My guess is distances between train stations are measured end to end. That is west of platform to East of platform and visa versa?

What are your thoughts? Are the Opal Fares fair for Mount Druitt commuters traveling to and from Mount Druitt.

Check Out On Channel 7 News - Public Transport in Western Sydney!

Here is my public transport advocacy side for the community, in this video is Susan day, Western Sydney Public Transport Users, President is showing how it takes over 2 hours to get to her work from Penrith.

It also shows "Black Spots (Colored in Pink)" in Western Sydney area, where there is no public transport. See if you can spot Mount Druitt area.

Click here for the Channel 7 news item 

Hole In The Ground Outside Mount Druitt Commuter Car Park!

 We have had before 'Hole in the ground at Westfield Mount Druitt' and now there is the hole in the ground at Mount Druitt Commuters Car Park (front).

It may not be important but it is a health and safety issue for the community, where if it is completely filled in, there would little chance of community accidents and or major trips.



We hope that Blacktown City Council  or any State Members can contact NSW for Transport to fix up this problem.

More Music From The Blacktown City Brass Band!

Well they surprised myself, The Blacktown City Brass Band playing their beautiful music again!

I  feel like I'm back in the 1970's or even 1970's!

Click here for Winning Easy Music

Click here for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Music

Click here for Foral Cornish Dance

Remember, if  you see them at Mount Druitt hand them some golden coins, for their beautiful music!
I even see young people providing donations admiring their music!


Click here for previous blog and more music! 

Accidents At Westfield Mount Druitt - Lost Video Proof

A lady from Mount Druitt that in Westfield Mount Druitt Car Park, there are accidents, scratches happening to cars and when video footage is request (they have many security cameras), it appears you may not receive the evidence you want.

I suppose if you have a legal case and/or a compensation claim pending on video evidence, it could be good luck!

I'm only going from what one community member has told myself, but I welcome any other community members comments and or feedback, if this has happened to them. Let's all hope if there is a car accident at Westfield Mount Druitt, they do have the video evidence to providing footage to support the community.

Maybe making   own your video will be better!

Mount Druitt Medicare Forum Invitation by Ed Husic, Federal Member For Chifley!

I have received an e-mail from the Federal Member of Chifley, Hon. Mr Ed Husic, invitation to the community for a Medicare Forum.

I treat health issues as I need and require the health service from Doctors, Dentists and Specialists. Mostly I do it on a need be basis - sometimes I hear people going on a possible need basis.

As I am a worker I do pay Medicare Levy and if I had a more comfortable income, I would provide payments to a private health fund. That is my choice! A lot of people in Mount Druitt cannot afford to pay into a private fund to get that needed extra quality of service, hospital accommodation and  obtain urgent required surgery.

So extra costs that will commence as from 1st July 2015 GP Tax of $7.00 per visit and this may hurt the pockets of families in Mount Druitt.

I do understand that Australian Medicare Levies may not cover the true overall cost of health that is charged by hospitals, doctors and  specialists, within Australia.

Here is the Invitation from Ed Husic:
 

INVITE TO

MEDICARE FORUM

Since coming into office the Abbott Government has moved to extract nearly $20 million in healthcare from the Chifley electorate. On top of cutting the $6.5 million dedicated to installing a new MRI machine at Mt Druitt, the Government is cutting $10.2 million out of the pockets of Chifley residents who need quality healthcare.

Chifley has the highest bulk billing rate in the nation at 99%. GPs are aware families in the electorate would struggle without the bulk billing service. Figures drawn from Medicare data reveal nine out 10 that will be hardest hit by the GP Tax are from Sydney and sadly Chifley is at the top of the list.

Although the $7 GP Tax does not come into force until 1 July 2015, medical centres are already reporting a marked drop in patient visits.

I am very concerned that people needing medical attention are staying away from their doctor and risking their health. I am also worried that healthcare will not only become less affordable – but it may become less accessible.

I would like to invite you to a community forum to further discuss the impacts of the GP Tax and the changes in Medicare. Details are as follows:

When: Tuesday 29 July - 4:00pm

Where: Mt Druitt Hub, Ayres Grove Mt Druitt NSW 2770

RSVP: Monday 28 July on 9625 4344 or news@edhusic.com

I hope to see you there.

Yours sincerely,

The Hon Ed Husic MP
Federal Member for Chifley
 

Mount Druitt Tranquil And Peaceful Pictures!

Your first impression on the right photograph is a wintery day in Europe, somewhere. No downtown Mount Druitt, in fact North Mount  Druitt. I'd like to know what birds they are. I know they are some Australian birds. Let us know!
On the left photograph, you can quite plainly see, it is in Australia - may be in the bush. Well, 100 years ago this would have been all bush. This is Mount Druitt community. Send us your photographs of nature in Mount Druitt. There is a lot of beauty in Mount Druitt and we need to show it!

Early morning at Mount Druitt train station, there are hundreds of people waiting for the train but the ray ray and sunshine whiten out the arriving train and the people. This is a heavenly track!

 William Mason Reserve, Mount Druitt image of just waking up and seeing your own countryside land with a breath of fresh air.







Wow, did you realise that the white dot in this (right picture) is the Moon. Yes don't forget, this is early in the morning.

Does it look fascinating! Do you look up in the sky in the morning or do you walking sadly to your destination?

I always intrigued  and wondering what each new day brings. I always smile and people may look at me and say ' What's wrong with him!' When there is nothing wrong! This made me happy today! Does it make you happy?

What do you know Mount Druitt has Pigeons. I heard them. I saw them and I took the picture of them And there they were. On top of this building, leading the to escalators to Mount Druitt train station. Do you like them?

 Hire wire birds, we see birds  all the time do this, but with the day time moon, in the far background, this feels quite serene! It looks like they are on a 6 lane sky way highway  waiting for traffic!

Great to see a full Moon above the Mount Druitt Hub about 9pm at night. Doesn't this look fantastic

Why I love Mount Druitt Current Records!

Since this website has been launched and commenced, I have handed out hundreds of small information slips and the response is growing day to day. Even, handing out 6 of these per day, I think I have  struck someone that will either check out the website, provide a comment and/or provide e-mail to provides ideas to improve the community or even provide details of individuals seeking employment.


It is a  reasonably steady growth of hits on the website from around the world as follows:

185 published Posts, total views on all Posts 1741, highest monthly post views 518 - April 2014, Comments 4.

Something you may not be aware, is from where around the world, people are visiting posts ( The top ten countries):

Entry	Pageviews
Australia	1105
United States	414
Russia	123
Germany	59
Ukraine	14
United Kingdom	12
Ireland	5
China	2
France	2
Poland	2

So from this you can make your own prediction, how many people in and around Mount Druitt, would be visiting the website blog posts. Australia is number 1 currently.

Here are the top ten blogs on our website, see if
 you agree?

Entry	Pageviews
Whalan Has Bus Access Street Issues and Bus Stop ... 2 Apr 2014	25
Foot Path Crossing Required Corner of Earl Streets...  23 Jun 2014	23
No Joined Pathways For Easier Access - Shennan Sea...  12 Jul 2014	21
Blacktown City Council Senior Environmental Offic... 17 Mar 2014	18
Car Lands In Front Shop of Rooy Hill North Shop, Y... 15 Jun 2014	17
Mayors Response To Moresby Crescent Bus Issue - No... 21 Apr 2014	16
Leaks Again From Mount Druitt Asian Butcher And Se... 2 Apr 2014	15
Spotted Collapsed Wall Mount Druitt 4 Apr 2014	13
Can We Watch Live Council Meetings In Blacktown - ... 20 May 2014, 1 comment	12
Community Members Using Streets As Dumping Grounds... 9 Apr 2014	11

All this Statistics are so far! Thank you everyone, it takes a little while to establish a website and provide creative blogs that enact changes within the community. The word is spreading!